Political Landscape Transformation

For a better understanding of current events, I always consider myself a real life and practical student of political science, as distinguished from someone who views them from a purely theoretical and conjectural standpoint. During our days in college, we studied comparative governments, analyzed political philosophies, studied history and its effects on the people and society, read a lot of books, speeches and historical documents, memorized the constitution, criticized decrees, proclamations and executive orders, and even made forecasts of what may happen at certain periods in the history of our nation. We talked about the rise of a strong and united opposition in the Philippines, how death of political leaders changes the course of history, downfall of dictatorships around the world, financial crimes perpetrated by those in government, rebirth of oligarchy and violent revolutions. Admittedly, we missed out the emergence of people power in the Philippines. What we were aware of then was civil disobedience as a form of mass action. A Gandhi-like movement which abhors violence in any form.

Well, those were the days. Endless debates and formulation of opinions. We respected each other's beliefs and points of view. It was a productive and scholarly exercise for us as political science students. We were in control of the student council, some were student activists, others were ROTC officers, and a few were student assistants or working at various departments of the university. It was a huge network in terms of clout and influence, and come to think of it, we were only a handful few, always updated on what is happening inside and outside the campus, as well as the actual reasons for major events or incidents. We knew ahead of time when classes will be suspended. 

We are aware that we were doing so many things but we also know that we have to go somewhere. We were imbued with so much idealism. Money was not an issue. Never did it influence any of the student council elections. We were fighting for causes and we were asking fellow students to be counted in our crusade for a better campus and effective representation, among others. We were in effect enjoying what we were doing. In return, we were able to serve our fellow students very well, we had good rapport with the faculty and school administration including other students organizations. No corruption. Again, money has never been an issue. There were no such thing as dole out or any consideration for something needed by the students. Our student council elections were won based on platform and qualifications of candidates. They were clean, honest, orderly and peaceful. 

Ahh, those were the days. I am sure you had them in your respective college days. 

We had so much time for ourselves, we were professional students. But even then, we felt there was a void. Something lacking. It was the late 70s and early 80s. They were not normal times. They were extraordinary times for extraordinary people. 

We were just hoping that we can duplicate those days and experiences in school to real life back then or at that point in time. And even now. I have always looked forward for the same.

We need to aim at elections where candidates must present and explain a genuine and sincere platform of government, and not merely for a show or for the sake of having one. We must long for the day when politicians are elected because of their qualifications and not due to the money that they spend buying votes. How we wish that the trapos and the epals will have some form of conversions to become statesmen and present-day heroes in the category and caliber of the honorable politicians of our country. 

Billions of pesos in public funds will be saved and instead channeled to meaningful projects and programs which are responsive to the needs of the people. No longer for mansions, luxury cars, jewelry, casinos, vices, jetsetting and money laundering of ill gotten wealth.

With the pork barrel being declared as unconstitutional, theoretically, no public funds will be available for disbursement at the discretion of legislators. This is a drastic change in the way public funds will be earmarked and used. The public perception that politicians are able to siphon money from government coffers through pork barrel will also change. However, the so called line budgeting, that is pinpointing potential projects and work for their inclusion in the budget of the various departments of government, may not deter or prevent corruption. There will always be that issue or suspicion of getting commissions from contractors on a percentage basis. But with the birth of movements and organization keeping watch on how funds are spent, life will be difficult for these contractors and politicians concerned. 

Nonetheless, we must continue to be vigilant and eagle eyed on government transactions and expenditures, and assert our rights every moment of our lives. We are right now witnessing, hopefully, a transformation of how things will be in Philippine politics in the years to come. The major election year of 2016 will be a litmus test for our democratic system. Its success or failure will be ascertained by the kind of leaders who will be elected. 

We need statesmen not trapos. We need stewards not epals. 

We need a new breed of politicians and public servants who can share what they have (in terms of genuine service, talents, skills, dedication and commitment) and not share in what we have for themselves (primarily in terms of public funds).

Let us move on !

Life Without Pork Barrel

In the light of the Supreme Court Decision declaring PDAF as unconstitutional, I am republishing this blog article which first came out last September 17, 2013:

Tayabas, Quezon - Pork Barrel existed for the longest time and obviously since Congress came into being. Let us say, it is a security blanket for districts represented in Congress - that they would not be left out in the distribution of projects or funds for projects needed in their respective areas. Since Congress is in charge of the budget, meaning, it appropriates government funds for specific purposes, it is but logical that pork barrel should be coursed through the Congressmen. This is on the belief that they are more in a position to determine the needs of their respective districts. Put simply, benefits are then deemed equally distributed at the first instance.

But instead of projects, people initially "suspected" that their pork barrel, note - this means the senators or congressmen do not own the pork barrel, are being pocketed or diverted for personal use and gain. Such suspicion is founded on "factual rumors" and thereafter, fortified by "discoveries" now being exposed through the mass media about ghost or unfinished projects, allegations of PDAF for sale, and more recently, the filing of cases with the Ombudsman for plunder, direct bribery, malversation etc.

Let it be clarified that those named in the complaints must be presumed innocent until proven otherwise, meaning, guilty beyond reasonable doubt. We are not even discussing here about probable cause, the quantum of evidence needed to file the charges in court. The other, which is beyond reasonable doubt, is required to convict an accused.

Going back. Suspicions are actually well-founded. Unless, a legislator is really filthy rich or has a business which mills money, with the meager salary and allowances, one cannot reasonably imagine that the legislator can afford a luxurious lifestyle like flashy cars, mansions, glittering jewelry, signature bags and gold watches, among other ostentatious items. In other words, how can they afford these things and at the same time stand as sponsors, ninong, ninang or benefactors. Look. Hard earned money are kept and saved. They are not usually thrown away as dole-outs. They are well spent, and if is for a cause, willingly given without expecting anything in return. In the case of those spending other people's money, like kickbacks, there will always be strings attached when given. Others spend it in casinos, vanities etc.

Consequently, the people and the country have suffered and continue to suffer miserably. Instead of being able to move forward, funds which would have been used for beneficial projects, were embezzled, malversed, or plundered. Health care, education, agriculture and infrastructure development are the hardest hit areas of concern. 

Yes, if finally it is proven and judgment has become final, the PDAF scams will go down in history as the worst scandal ever that struck our nation in the heart. It is painful. It hurts. But we need to be resilient and more importantly, vigilant, truly vigilant, more than ever. Next time, as a bottomline, people must be intelligent and honest voters. Reject the obvious, discern the intention or motive, and choose the deserving and qualified. 

People who are corrupt are easy to decipher or detect. They flaunt their wealth which were not existing when they started in public service. They are arrogant and one can sense an eerie shadow of power. In private, they talk like they own you. In public, they know how to act out a Quezon, a Magsaysay or a Cory. They are cunning and dangerous. Thus, people chose to be quiet and opted to stay in their comfort zone. Of course this is wrong.

However, given the opportunity to unite, we can effect changes. True reforms. The President's vision of social transformation can be realized.

Just imagine, our territorial integrity is being threatened, our OFWs are in trouble, Zamboanga is in distress, floods are inundating human settlements and livelihood, people are looking for work, and yet, we can still afford to throw political mud at each other. To say, "only in the Philippines" is not acceptable. We have to move on.

So, what can we do for now? We must continue to pray. Fortify our faith. Trust the PNOY administration. Yes, this is serious. We are all in it. Politics can come later when 2016 nears. For now, we need to be united as a nation. Social media must be used for constructive criticism. We must be parts of the solution, not the subject of resolution. 

Life without pork barrel may mean a lot. The luxury market may suffer. Who cares anyway specially when we see others suffering. Government funds will now be spent on legitimate projects. Hopefully. Better laws may now be passed. More laws which will be truly responsive to the needs of the people. This is understandable since lawmakers' attention will be focused more on lawmaking or legislation. In fairness though, many significant laws were passed before even with pork barrel, but perhaps there will be some changes now that it is or may be gone. People's lives should improve. And let us hope, and to reiterate, pray, that the "tuwid na daan" will actually be realized and not a mere vision.

Climate Change Commission

About 2 days ago, my wife Cheva has shared to me her idea about the creation of an independent body which will address climate change and the disasters that it creates. This will be some kind of a commission which shall be headed by a chairman with fixed term. The chairman and members shall be disqualified to seek any elective or appointive office for a certain period after the term of office. It shall develop and implement a comprehensive plan to address the effects of climate change. In addition, it may serve as the body which will coordinate disaster preparedness, emergency response and rehabilitation coordination. The commission may raise it's own resources and will have fiscal autonomy. My wife has developed a proposed structure and mechanics which I understand she will propose to Congress.

How Can We Help . . .

There are many ways by which each one of us can help those who were affected by the super typhoon, earthquakes, floods, among others - that hopefully would be the last ! 

One is by giving and sharing what we have like cash, goods or anything of value that could be used by the victims. Even our talents and brains can be put into good use by thinking of ways how we can help them stand up once again and move on with their lives. We can help, we can cooperate, we can contribute, or we can volunteer in the efforts of Red Cross, Caritas Manila, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, GMA Foundation, ABS CBN, and many other reputable institutions and charitable organizations. All these will depend on one's resources and time, since we know, most of us are working and must also earn a living. Understandable. But at least, you are doing your part.

Next is by praying. We can implore God's mercy and Divine Love. There are a lot of things that would definitely be beyond human understanding. There are questions that we dare not ask, for the answers can be human, and not of this world. We would always ask why are these things happening? Why are these being allowed? We us? Why not the crooked and the bad? Why should good people suffer? Why the innocent? What is it that we may have done to deserve these punishment? Or is it? Hence, repeat, prayers will give us the answers. Prayers will help us understand the meaning of all these. Prayers will enable us to receive what we may have perceived to be impossible. Our faith will guide us through all these and emerge from the ruins of the past and stand up once again with the bright sun shining upon us, and the rainbow of hope reminding us of God's promise to mankind.

By sharing. By praying. By learning.

We learn from our experiences, our successes and our failures. It is not really a matter of being prepared  for times like what we are going through right now, but it is more of looking at ourselves in a mirror where we are, what we do, and where we want to go. We cannot remain complacent, indifferent or simply lazy amidst the confusion and desperation. We must not be contented with just being resilient or prepared to be one as if we are anticipating some more of these natural calamities. We cannot always look forward that the Bayanihan spirit will lift us up when the time comes. These are good traits. Resiliency, Bayanihan and Prudence. But they are not excuses to disregard the fact that natural calamities, while predictable in cases of typhoons, do occur when we have only a few days left before it would happen, or in case of an earthquake, when we do not have the luxury of blinking an eye even for a moment.

What have we learned then? In the past, we had our share of these natural calamities and taking it from our experience, not once but several, each was traumatic and gives a realization of our mortality. We had to "weather the storm", struggle for our survival and run for our lives, yes, literally. Thus, we know how it was to see roofs tearing apart and carried by the howling winds miles away with other debris and uprooted trees, or water gushing forth towards the house, flooding the entire area with water rising gradually, or a waterspout running after us as we, in turn, were running for our lives, aboard a motorboat with an engine that kept on malfunctioning throughout the chase, or an earthquake strong enough to make us jump from our bed, kneel down and pray af if the world was coming to an end.

Numbers may be significant but not important. Efforts will never be enough for as long as a single human being is suffering, we cannot call it a day. What is really imperative is for the towns and the cities to rise up and be enabled to move on once again and make them work for the benefit of the people.

Fingerpointing, Pessimism and Truth

There is just so much chaos in this world. We just feel harassed. Always in fear of something. We could not have any peace of mind, thinking that when tomorrow comes, we will be in trouble of some sort. We cannot understand why, despite the good things that we do, we seem to be always on trial. And when people do something bad, they appear to be contended and happy. 

Does that mean, bad people are better off in this world, and those who meant good must suffer? 

What about those who are really suffering? What did they do to deserve what they are going through? We cannot really imagine people being massacred, villages wiped out by floods, crops razed by fire or typhoon, children getting sick, and many getting hungry? 

Yet, there is so much waste in this world. By merely observing around us, of the ten people, about three will have leftovers thrown away and would have been just enough to feed the remaining seven. The same is true with people around the world. A few would live in abundance, waste and throw out the excesses, which are enough for the greater number to benefit from what was discarded. 

The rich gets richer, while the poor getting poorer. Others get drunk and greedy. Many are increasingly getting high and bum. There is this disgusting and dark culture of corruption that keeps on hovering around us, and which has in fact permeated into the very moral fabric of our society.

We have voiced out aloud that enough is enough, and we invent ways of getting heard, of catching attention, and well, in a way, just making noises actually. This is unfortunate since at the end of the day, we prefer to go to bed and sleep, for tomorrow will be another day. Always within the comfort zone. One did not even bother to pray.

What?! Is that it? Any better idea?