POST 1: POST MARTIAL LAW IDENTITY

It has been years ago since Martial Law has ended but do us really experience the democracy that the Filipinos fight for. According to the writer of Da Coconut Repablik in the article “Da Pinoy Chronicle: 40 Years After Martial Law and The Philippines is Still A Failure,” democracy is not when the election of candidates is based on popularity and personality.

We elect politicians not because they are competent but because they are popular. We even opposed the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant that will almost solve the energy crisis of the Philippines. What Marcos said happened, after 20 years Philippines will be a failure. We live in lies and illusions; we do still hope that there will be a hero that will save us.

Our country is going backwards instead of forward: people from provinces are seeking jobs on the urban and professionals go to other countries to work, our government call them heroes but they are merely slaves they leave their family and serve another country. The insistence of the government and even the people to reforms lead to our eternal suffering and bondage to the false illusions of nationalism and triumphalism.

We are not a true democracy. If we will still continue to elect incompetent officials the cycle goes on and on.
 

It was Erap’s reign when I became aware of the government, I remember back then people were burning a big float of pig that looks like former president Erap. People won Erap was impeached because of corruption then vice president Gloria took over his place. Then the same thing happened people complain and again they’ll make a big float and burn it. Former president Arroyo had this big issue, the “Hello, Garci” she was almost impeached but she successfully finished her term. And the same goes to our P-Noy people were complaining again, but then didn’t they remember that they are the one who put him there.

 The people were not satisfied with their leaders; they usually complain a lot that they are not competent. But then they are the ones that put them there. According to the article people choose their leaders because they are popular, Erap is an action star, they said Gloria cheated so she’s not counted and P-Noy is the son of Ninoy and Cory Aquino, brother of Kris and he got the Filipinos sympathy after his mother died.

 I am not really saying that they are not competent what I’m saying is people don’t usually look at what they can do to improve Philippines, but how popular or cool they are it is emotion based. That’s why our government is quite not competent and we are moving backwards because we are not wise enough to choose people who will lead us. Election is not a game or form of entertainment if we let this happen the next generation will suffer.

 

 

 

“We are not a true democracy, it is mob rule. We let this happen, we continue to elect politicians with no competence. And the cycle goes on and on and on.”

 

 

 

Complementary to this is another article from Da Coconut Repablik, "Da Pinoy Chronicle: Filipinos Treat Voting and Governance as Child’s Play." Most of the Filipinos are indecisive and irrational, they tend to side with their emotions that easily change. Our government is treated like a playground and campaign and election is like a noon time show giving people prizes for votes. During campaign most of those who are running for a position in the government are very generous. They help the needy and poor and usually give a lot of money. It seems like they are really concern.

Current officials who don’t want to lose their position will make a lot of projects, fix everything and then after that they'll place a big billboard with their faces and name on it. It is like fiesta in the Philippines wherein the campaign materials are the banderitas and decorations, they are very colorful. At this time rich Filipinos spend a lot of money to gain some great favor afterwards. The thinking of our voters is shallow and easily persuaded, by those speeches and promises. If we can't vote well we must not expect for a good government and nice outcome. Our government is not a playground it is a serious thing but there may a lot of people who will file their candidacy just because they like regardless that they are capable of the job but it is our duty to choose. It is such an irony that we pride ourselves as democratic and developed, but the reality is we are practicing Idiocracy and we are the Sick Man of Asia.

"One of the most anticipated events in the Philippines is the campaign and election. During this event, all sorts of people can be seen and heard as they register for candidacy and do their campaigns, ranging from the poorest and/or sometimes dumbest nuisance-candidates to the richest and/or most powerful corrupt and incompetent politicians, add a bunch of celebrities, news-casters and athletes on the sides and we have an election-fiesta. They are all competing to get the most of the country’s wealth position in the government in order to fatten their wallets and enslave (err…) serve their fellow Filipinos."

Why would they vote someone who buys your vote? I guess there are only a few who were not shallow and easily persuaded. If you really need that money you can take it but don't vote the person on the list but I suggest don't take it I'm sure that they came from dirty hands.

 

Lately, I was surprised what I saw at Facebook wherein two TV personalities will run on the next election. I didn't bother to read the article but if it’s true I hope they will not win. But then if popularity is the basis of who will win the election they might win since some still vote them because they are popular not even considering their capability and competence. I pray someday people would raise their standards and choose right leaders. Our government is kind of messed up so I hope people already learned a lesson from our past experiences by choosing a competent leader.