TraPo in the government

Let’s not kid ourselves by hiding what’s already obvious. It may be just 2017, but the burning desire of many of today’s politicians to be put into office is becoming more and more apparent. Some of them are already actively working on their self-image: there are those trying to be politically relevant in the hopes of securing appointments to satisfying government positions, while others are getting themselves clean to win the favor of their constituents at the earliest possible time. 

It’s quite appalling to see these traditional politicians become intoxicated with the powers they have, and since they do nothing but put their personal interests first before their supposed duty of serving the people, I’m no longer surprised why the clamor for a revolutionary government (RevGov) is growing louder and stronger. The people who are pushing RevGov are hungry for change, and they want it served fast. Perhaps they are also beyond being frustrated with the same old kind of politicians we have. I share their frustrations and their call for RevGov; but at the same time I also respect the decision of the President if he believes that it’s not yet time for radical change.

If things were to go my way, I believe that we can achieve the change we want for this country without RevGov. But the road to achieving this aspiration has been perpetually blocked by no less than government officials who have embraced the greed and lust for power, to the point that they care for nothing less than their own ambitions. They are those who do their job the “trapo” way, and no matter how long they have been sitting in office, they are still noobs when it comes to public service. Have they forgotten that the very reason they are in their posts is because they are tasked to serve the people?

So how do we discern if a government official is self-serving and no longer a public servant? Here’s a checklist for easier reference:

1. Balimbing. These are people who have no sense of loyalty. They side with whoever is in power, regardless if they don’t share the same ideals and principles – so long as they reap benefits at the end of the day.

2. Media whores. People who love to be the darling of the press. They are those who use the media for their propaganda and to improve their image to the public. According to the PR experts I know, “good” relationships between politicians and the media become more evident during campaign season, as when the former cannot afford negative publicity, some members of the media would take advantage of the opportunity and allow themselves to be used as an extra means of income. These same people also told me that if I want to improve my public image, I must nurture relationships with the press. What bothers me though is how such relationships affect politicians and government officials especially when it is the press that commits mistakes – do they turn a blind eye toward the media’s mistakes to preserve their “good image”?

3. Epalitiko. These are people who always want to be in the scene regardless if they should be there or not. They are those who like to stage things for the sake of publicity, and sometimes even bring their own media army to cover whatever it is that they are doing.

4. Credit grabbers. They are people who seemingly want the public to be personally indebted to them for the things that they have done (even if what they are doing IS their job). A former president confided in us that there’s a senatorial candidate who will be going around state universities to see if the implementation of free tuition is going smoothly; it’s as if this senatorial candidate is eager to claim credit for this feat and use it in the upcoming elections. So yes, let’s be wary. Credit grabbers are always on the run to take credit for things that are not even their achievement.

5. Opportunists. There are government officials who use their power, including the agency that they head, as a means of early campaigning. We used to have “Mr. Palengke” and “TESDA Man” back in the day, and guess what – we still have the likes of them trying to follow suit in this current administration.

Despite all the trapos in the government, I urge my fellow Filipinos especially those who have not lost their hope for a better tomorrow for our country, to continue to fight for change. Our future is in our hands, so let’s be vigilant in going against those who present themselves to be for the people but whose actions only benefit themselves. The 2019 elections are coming, and it is my hope that all the Trapos in government will be finally eradicated. Once it happens, all hands will be on deck to help President Duterte to achieve the change that we have long been crying for, the change for a better Philippines for us to cherish, and for our children to enjoy.