DONATED BY: BARANGAY CAPTAIN JUAN TAMAD

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