They
say, the more you hate, the more you love. Well yes perhaps they’re right.
I
hate politics. But, I love to talk about it.
Recently,
I came across this documentary about the real score of politics in the country.
I find the documentary quite fascinating. It tackled the so- called TRAPOs or
the traditional politicians. “Trapo” in some parts of the country would mean
dirty piece of used garment or “basahan”.
The acronym fits well with its other meaning huh? (kidding!) Well anyways, like the
“basahan” I think that dirty politicians should be replaced with new and clean
ones.
In
the Philippines, if you want to grow your money to millions or even billions,
never deposit it in a bank account. Instead, invest it in politics. At the end
of your term you will see how your money prospered. (oopps!)
I
knew a local politician in our place. He ran for local office at the barangay
level. To be specific he ran for barangay councilor. Being a chismoso or a
gossiper, I overheard how much he spent for the campaign. He spent roughly
around P400, 000. Ok wow! So I asked one of my friends holding the same
position as he was, and I learned that a barangay councilor’s salary only ranges
from P10,000-P 12,000 per month.
Doing
the math, it will take him three long years to get his investment back. If I
would consider doing clean politics, then maybe I would consider cutting my
expenses on campaign to a more realistic figure; a figure that is somehow
proportional to the salary. But as you can see, the intention is very clear.
Even a fool would not spend such amount for a 12, 000 peso salary. Would you?
It’s
actually part of my routine to hit the road every day and seeing the faces of
different politicians on large tarpaulins and billboards is just ordinary. But
one day, I paused to take a good look at one of these posters. It read,
“Congratulations name of politician
for finishing Bachelor of Science in Public Administration at the name of school she recently graduated
from!” And positioned at the
lower right corner of the ad read, “Paid for by FRIENDS of name of politician.”
This
politician obviously has many friends huh because every MERALCO post contains
the ad. Maybe I am exaggerating but really, you could see her face in the
entire vicinity of the city. Bravo.
I
can’t help but laugh because I cannot imagine how cheap politics has become in
this country. It’s too early for your cheap act of campaigning madam!
In
the Philippines, for you to get noticed, you have to put YOUR NAME in every project
that you will do. For instance you initiated a clean-up drive. For you to get
the attention of your constituents, you have to put your name and even your
picture on every garbage can that you will donate. Or every waiting shed that
you put up should contain your name.
Here’s
the format:
Project
donated by: Barangay Captain Juan Tamad (plus picture). Perfect!
Okay,
we you say donate, the money or the goods should be yours right? It should
personally come from your own pocket agree? How can we put people in the government
who doesn’t even know the meaning of donate? Well maybe we should begin to
admit to ourselves that we are lame voters.
Another
thing I noticed: why would the business permits contain the picture of the
mayor or the barangay captain? What for?? You see, this simple gestures create
a bad representation of politics in this country. Okay just imagine your car’s plate
contains the president’s picture, what would you feel? Of course you will be
disgusted. Now that’s the very same idea I am contesting with regards to these
business permits with their pictures engraved on it. How cheap right?
When will this cheap politics end? This nation will not succeed unless these bunch of barbarians run the government. Enough of these second- rate politicians please? It’s time to be more meticulous in choosing the right people. Right doesn't mean rich. Right doesn't mean experienced. Right doesn't mean “maka-masa”. And most of all right doesn't mean popular.
-end
of my sentiments- :D
