Mixed reactions

As days, weeks and months pass, more and more people are realizing and getting convinced that our present government is as much if not more rotten and corrupt as the previous governments including that of the Marcos dictatorial regime. At the very least, the prevailing public perception is that nothing has really changed at all during the four years that PNoy has held the reins of power – walang pagbabago – the same catchy phrase he used against the previous regime he attacked and dislodged on the way to Malacañang.

Indeed readers agree with my view expressed in my Phil Star article two weeks ago (“Unfinished Revolution” June 14, 2014) that our country badly needs drastic and revolutionary changes. Some of them have sent their comments and suggestions on what should be done for a successful revolution at the polls starting in the 2016 elections – a revolution that will put a stop to all the dirty political tactics now being used; a revolution that will remove most if not all of the present breed of politicians employing such tactics.

Among our readers is a certain Mr. Gerard Vergara who seems to be so positive that we can achieve those changes. Apparently, Mr. Vegara is one of the many Filipinos who remains idealistic and continues to nurture the hope for a brighter future for our country. He found my article as an “eye opener to many who are wishing and dreaming of changes in the political environment.” He agrees that “we had an unfinished revolution from EDSA 1” and “that we must continue because the rampant corruption started by Marcos has no signs of ever coming to an end with younger and hungrier players dominating the scene.”

Mr. Vegara expresses the sentiments of this elder generation that “we owe it to the young generation of our time to show to them that we, their elders, are willing to continue the fight but this time, with their help and unwavering support for a cause that could mean progress or doom to a life of poverty and spiritual emptiness.” And so he wrote this letter to the youth of our land which is worth reproducing here:

“To the youth of the land,

Corruption in our political system has reached unimaginable levels. The indictment of the corrupt politicians will not stop others from thinking of new ways to use taxpayer’s money to enrich themselves.
Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan,’ was the call of Dr. Jose P. Rizal to the youth of the land during his time in order to help in building a nation free from the shackles of foreign domination. You are not different from that generation, you are the youth of the land in these present troubled times being called to be active participants in the country’s affairs to make it a better place to live in and be worth dying for.
I address this letter to you in hopes that you would mobilize to bring about lasting reforms for good governance. And there is no better time to start it than now because the social ills we had seen for a very long time is badly in need of changes that you yourselves are capable of bringing into reality. Here are a few suggestions for the course of action that you can follow:

1. Educate people who voted for candidates for Congress who are not qualified to enact laws and ended up the lawbreakers themselves;

2. Engage in a relentless campaign to explain to uneducated people that any amount of money (lately called coordinator’s fee) from political candidates in exchange for their votes is compromising the future of our children; that popularity and gifts should not be the basis to elect a public servant;

3. Demand that all government records be open to the public either online or through reasonable request. Ours is a government by and for the people and we need information to act as ‘check and balance’ on all government actions and expenditures. This can be done as a matter of executive policy or via a legislative act such as the Freedom of Information bill;

4. Vigorously campaign to make people understand about the anti dynasty provision in the Constitution;

5. Be totally vigilant in ensuring clean and credible elections;

I write this letter because I have no doubt about your intelligence and courage to completely change the culture of thievery, greed and shamelessness perpetuated by old traditional politicians, because I believe you are much more matured in thinking about the good of the nation and you would be more responsible in preparing for a legacy of good, transparent and honest government for your children and the succeeding generations.”

Another reader who reacted is Mr. Rene Moral. He is actually advocating a voters’ education campaign involving tri-media which are the “most effective tools” for this purpose. Mr. Moral wrote as follows:

“What must be done is to educate voters as to what each elective office/position requires; that mere popularity or notoriety does not qualify anyone to hold an elective position.
Executive positions must be distinguished from legislative positions as the qualifications candidates must possess are entirely different. Then define the credentials (academic background and work experience) the position requires.
Simply put, if we want to hire a good cook (as clearly differentiated from a crook), define and highlight what qualifications this position requires. Doing so will counter the propaganda/lies unqualified candidates peddle like snake oil merchants. More important, it will change the current “personality based” to “issue based” campaigning. The positions of Barangay Chair, Mayor, Governor, President are executive positions. Aspirants for these positions must possess managerial experience. The job description of each office is what tri-media must highlight to educate voters. It is only after this is done can voters be asked to VOTE WISELY. Indirectly, it will also limit political dynasties.”

Then there is also this reaction from another reader who is a British resident of this country answering by the name of Mr. Tim Randall. Mr. Randall blames Democracy for many of the world’s problems and is “at best tenuous” for our country. He even believes that our revolution can only succeed if we adopt the French style with “excessive use of the guillotine on all those political families.” Of course he also cautioned that such revolutions have “to end also and who gets to succeed is usually another problem.” So he agrees that we should do it through the polls but we must educate our voters and encourage them to vote because “every vote counts.”

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