It is not really that hard to know and conclude that premised on the way Philippine politics is presently on-going – and even relatively long since – specially through the respective rhetoric and posturing of the present crop of lead candidates for the forthcoming May 2010 national elections, its three more common, similar or even identical features are the following:
There are no Political Parties:
Except for the very superficial differences in terms of titles, initials or what have you, there are but mere associations, affiliations or groupings not really unlike “Boy’s Clubs – not Political Parties. Yes, they all have their own slogans, they sport common group colored T-shirts and they all also wave and smile much. But they have no distinct ideas or “ideology”, no particular value systems, no proper avowed principles of action. That is why the so called “political butterflies” are the order of the day: Candidates fly from one to another “Political Party” where there are more possibilities of winning basically on account of resources and other resources. In short, there are no honest to goodness Political Parties with their set of beliefs and pursuant distinctive professed objectives.
There are no political Platforms
There are much said and loudly proclaimed motherhood statements. “Love of Country”, “Service to the People”, “Eradication of Poverty” – these are the same more popular and familiar songs that said associations, affiliations or groupings sing. On the other hand, in the past national elections that took place one after another, there were likewise the essentially the same verses recited by the then head political candidates of the recent past. And today, precisely, the Country is left behind by millions of Filipinos to go abroad. The people are still much wanting in public service and common good. And the Filipinos are now in fact much poorer than before. Oh yes! There are big and beautiful platforms built for political rallies and the like. But honest to goodness socio-political platforms – there are none.
There are no real choices among the principal Political Candidates:
With but tri-media publicity that differ in make and frequency and costing, with popularity as the main credential and with the customary and thereby awaited handouts in cash or in kind given here and there by the candidates specially as the election date comes nearer – not to mention the irrelevant endorsements of movie stars and beauty queens even as times – there can be no real or objective choices particularly among those aspiring for the highest elective position in the land. And this is the on-the-ground case with or without automated elections, with or without “Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Election” – something that appears to be the illusive HOPE of this Country and its people.
Poor Country! Pitiful Filipinos!
OVCruz, JCD
November 20, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
3000 OFWs in Prison Worldwide
No less than the Department of Foreign Affairs recently and clearly said that there are to date about some 3000 Overseas Filipino Workers presently languishing in jails the world over. Millions of men and women with genuine or fabricated documents plus young people with faked ages, left everybody and everything in their otherwise wonderful Country fervently hoping to find work abroad – even in Nations that are not known for kindness and fair play. Their over-all fundamental concern and intent are rather plain and simple: They simply want to earn a living. They merely want to have jobs of practically any kind. They only want to extend financial support to their families.
There is much official rhetoric about the economic stability and even great social development of the Country. In fact, time and again it is formally and loudly claimed that the “economic fundamentals” – whatever these really are – have always been in place. This is not to mention the unfailing yearly glorious promises and glowing predictions made by the Leader-In-Chief for the whole Nation to hear and applaud and wait and still wait – to these days. And after no less than some nine years of busy wheeling and dealing by the still ruling Administration, the latter’s national report card, among other things says: One, more people are hungry. Two, less people have jobs. Three, and the often pointed over-all culprit for such a grim scenario is the people themselves, i.e., there are too many mouths to feed, too many bodies to clothe and to shelter. All these plus the shanties they build, the garbage they file. On top of these all, there is too much water or no water, too much sun or no sun to blame.
When will this administration get real – if ever – with just a few months of supposedly staying in power according to the Fundamental Law of the land? With so much expertise obtained plus so profound learning claimed, how come the Chief-In-Command does not yet know: First, that it is the perverse government graft and corruption par excellence that are the real twin basic and original culprit of the on-going national catastrophe. Second, that even this administration openly admits with no reserve nor shame that the regular multi-million dollar remittances of also millions of OFWs are what keep the Philippines economically afloat. Third, that population is the real and lasting wealth of a Country on proviso only that they are duly educated and accordingly employed.
Needless to say, the People of the Philippines have no realistic option than to wait for a new administration that is expected to emerge soon – if the great someone with the cohorts would play the game by the rule. Truth to say, this is so tragic. There was that not so distant past that with the eviction of someone identified with anything but integrity, when hopes were high and the Filipino spirit was optimistic – with the emergence of a seemingly upright and competent new leadership. But what a big tragedy that instead came to fore! The socio-economic situation was then bad. But after so many years of subsequent presidential, emergency and even czarist rule – or whatever – the social standing and economic situation of the Country is worst, much worst! How sad! What a tragedy! Redeemer wanted!
OVCruz, JCD
November 18, 2009
There is much official rhetoric about the economic stability and even great social development of the Country. In fact, time and again it is formally and loudly claimed that the “economic fundamentals” – whatever these really are – have always been in place. This is not to mention the unfailing yearly glorious promises and glowing predictions made by the Leader-In-Chief for the whole Nation to hear and applaud and wait and still wait – to these days. And after no less than some nine years of busy wheeling and dealing by the still ruling Administration, the latter’s national report card, among other things says: One, more people are hungry. Two, less people have jobs. Three, and the often pointed over-all culprit for such a grim scenario is the people themselves, i.e., there are too many mouths to feed, too many bodies to clothe and to shelter. All these plus the shanties they build, the garbage they file. On top of these all, there is too much water or no water, too much sun or no sun to blame.
When will this administration get real – if ever – with just a few months of supposedly staying in power according to the Fundamental Law of the land? With so much expertise obtained plus so profound learning claimed, how come the Chief-In-Command does not yet know: First, that it is the perverse government graft and corruption par excellence that are the real twin basic and original culprit of the on-going national catastrophe. Second, that even this administration openly admits with no reserve nor shame that the regular multi-million dollar remittances of also millions of OFWs are what keep the Philippines economically afloat. Third, that population is the real and lasting wealth of a Country on proviso only that they are duly educated and accordingly employed.
Needless to say, the People of the Philippines have no realistic option than to wait for a new administration that is expected to emerge soon – if the great someone with the cohorts would play the game by the rule. Truth to say, this is so tragic. There was that not so distant past that with the eviction of someone identified with anything but integrity, when hopes were high and the Filipino spirit was optimistic – with the emergence of a seemingly upright and competent new leadership. But what a big tragedy that instead came to fore! The socio-economic situation was then bad. But after so many years of subsequent presidential, emergency and even czarist rule – or whatever – the social standing and economic situation of the Country is worst, much worst! How sad! What a tragedy! Redeemer wanted!
OVCruz, JCD
November 18, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
philippine abu sayyaf group
Certain personalities holding relatively high positions in the local public and private sectors with legitimate concerns and business ventures in the Country, appear to have been long since nauseated and even exasperated with a particularly well known presidential creation known as the “Philippine Anti-Smuggling Group” (PASG). Hereto previous, this “Group” received nothing but a good amount of impressive media exposures for its apparently unconditional dedication and impressive activism in continuously and tirelessly working against smuggling in the Philippines. No wonder then that it received not only the gratitude of the general public but also the adulation of law abiding citizens.
But lo and behold, all of a sudden the marked silence of long depressive and offended public and private officials concerned seemed to have exploded to the extent that one of them at least, came up with the following revealing and flabbergasting statement - as recently quoted by a well respected and much read daily broadsheet: “The PASG has become a breeding ground for a crooked and dishonest public officials and employees.” And the lamentable conclusion is said to have gone along this way: “The PASG should be abolished since it merely duplicates the work of customs bureau, considering that it is not even authorized by Congress to collect taxes and duties” – or something the like.
It is in the context of the above desperation and exasperation that the PASG was thus angrily said to mean “Philippine Abu Sayyaf Group”. While such a burst of temper is understandable, it is well possible that the alleged misdeeds of PASG can be well over and above the perceived wrong doings of Abu Sayyaf. Hence, if such were the case, it might be not altogether out of order if apologies were made to the said Muslim group for the offense thus probably made thereto.
Specifically in conjunction with the PASG head with formal Malacanang appointment, before this apparently sudden and unexpected action the Palace occupant, there were certain allegations made about the reason for the subject party concerned to have been giving such a newly conceived public office – allegations that should certainly be verified. It was said that during the 2004 National Elections, the subject party concerned was apparently the incumbent Mayor of a certain Town in Northern Luzon. Hereto added is a said mathematical impossibility that he thought to actuality by having a then well known opposition presidential candidate obtain a big fat zero vote in the same Municipality. In addition thereto, it was thus said that each and every single vote in the place all went in favor of now incumbent Malacanang occupant! It was wherefore concluded that the same person concerned was eventually appointed by the same highest public Official in the Country as the PASG head – supposedly as a concrete sign of gratitude to the latter.
Needless to say, all the above thoughts and observations - except for the recent open denouncement of the PASG – beg for verification in the spirit of justice and truth. As the present administration is supposed to be gradually but certainly packing its many and big bags in preparation for an exit to somewhere, it would be a real pity if it is in effect making its morally questionable luggage even more and heavier.
OVCruz, JCD
November 16, 2009
But lo and behold, all of a sudden the marked silence of long depressive and offended public and private officials concerned seemed to have exploded to the extent that one of them at least, came up with the following revealing and flabbergasting statement - as recently quoted by a well respected and much read daily broadsheet: “The PASG has become a breeding ground for a crooked and dishonest public officials and employees.” And the lamentable conclusion is said to have gone along this way: “The PASG should be abolished since it merely duplicates the work of customs bureau, considering that it is not even authorized by Congress to collect taxes and duties” – or something the like.
It is in the context of the above desperation and exasperation that the PASG was thus angrily said to mean “Philippine Abu Sayyaf Group”. While such a burst of temper is understandable, it is well possible that the alleged misdeeds of PASG can be well over and above the perceived wrong doings of Abu Sayyaf. Hence, if such were the case, it might be not altogether out of order if apologies were made to the said Muslim group for the offense thus probably made thereto.
Specifically in conjunction with the PASG head with formal Malacanang appointment, before this apparently sudden and unexpected action the Palace occupant, there were certain allegations made about the reason for the subject party concerned to have been giving such a newly conceived public office – allegations that should certainly be verified. It was said that during the 2004 National Elections, the subject party concerned was apparently the incumbent Mayor of a certain Town in Northern Luzon. Hereto added is a said mathematical impossibility that he thought to actuality by having a then well known opposition presidential candidate obtain a big fat zero vote in the same Municipality. In addition thereto, it was thus said that each and every single vote in the place all went in favor of now incumbent Malacanang occupant! It was wherefore concluded that the same person concerned was eventually appointed by the same highest public Official in the Country as the PASG head – supposedly as a concrete sign of gratitude to the latter.
Needless to say, all the above thoughts and observations - except for the recent open denouncement of the PASG – beg for verification in the spirit of justice and truth. As the present administration is supposed to be gradually but certainly packing its many and big bags in preparation for an exit to somewhere, it would be a real pity if it is in effect making its morally questionable luggage even more and heavier.
OVCruz, JCD
November 16, 2009
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