One of the films that I liked is The Patriot, which starred Mel Gibson and featured then relatively newbie Heath Ledger. In that film, Gibson had a line that resonates today:
I have long feared that my sins would return to haunt me, and the cost would be more than I could bear.
And indeed, the sins of 2004 has come to haunt us.
This year’s electoral exercise has shown that some of us are too paranoid; some of us are overeager to protect our candidates’s votes. Let’s have some examples:
‘Protective dads’ presence in Munti, Taguig explained
Atienza campaign HQ searched by Lim
Protesters vs Tiangco surround Navotas town hall
‘Binay made unlawful arrest’
Group blasts media, quick count for polls
We must be vigilant, yes, but not overly so. Paranoia can be unhealthy, too.
Anyway, let’s just hope that counting will be accurate and fast. We cannot afford another 2004. However, everything is not going smooth. Several groups have accused ABS-CBN and GMA7 of “trending” with those unofficial quickcounts and exit polls. Then, the threat of the “machinery” swinging into action remains. Namfrel starts on a bad note, being hampered with software glitches, slow entry of election returns, even missing/harassed volunteers.
So for those who have moved on, it seems that is not possible. 2004 has been a watershed year for Philippine politics. It has turned our politics into a plague that has turned some people into zombies, unwilling to face reality and instead suffer from the illusion that the sins of 2004 do not exist. It has turned our social and political institutions into relics of war. It has turned rule of law as a joke. It has turned our youth into virtual blind-deaf-mute, unwilling to rise to the occasion to secure their future (and instead aims to move out).
The ghost haunts us. It needs to be exorcised. As my aunt always tells me, there can be no peace if there is no justice.
***
We all know that the system sucks. The question now is, what are YOU doing to change it?
This is the challenge that is facing us, and now I am challenging YOU, the reader, to think about these things:
1. What is the problem?
2. What causes this problem? What are the factors that lead to the problem?
3. What are the symptoms of the problem? Can we identify the effects of the problem?
4. What are needed to solve this problem?
5. How can we solve this problem? How long will it take? What will be our objectives?
6. How are we going to implement the solutions?
7. What are the indicators that will show that the solutions are working? How are we going to maintain the momentum of change?
I know it is not that simple. But as the cliche goes, it all begins with the first step. So think, post about it, and please let me know (by posting the URL in the comments).
As for me, it will be a series of posts, and I hope I get to start on it. Wish me luck.
—
BTW, I was able to vote.
And also, a personal look at Alan Cayetano, from Mam Noemi’s experience. Take that, Ben Abalos!
1. Most voters are scum. They will only vote for people who do them favors. They will wring you dry for everything they can get.
2. Poverty, religion and the candidates to accede to these unrealistic demands.
3. The global effects include an insanely expensive campaign and a culture of dependency and mendicancy among these SCUM.
4. GENOCIDE
5. Again, Genocide. We have to do it as soon as possible. Hopefully before the next elections.
6. We can be creative as we want. We can have a massive feeding session or get 10 korean attention-whores to shoot them all up.
7. We keep the guns/poison after the first culling.
Yay! Genocide!
I’d prefer war over genocide. At least there’s a fighting chance for every one. =P
(Firm believer in equal opportunity he he)
Make the following law for the next election:
1. no campaign posters (it messes the surroundings making the country dirtier than ever).
2. no flyers (same reason).
having #1&2 laws will save a lot of money that will hamper the winners’ desire to be greedy just so they can get back what they spent.
3. all candidates must be qualified for the position they are applying for (even the janitors are asked for at least college level!)
4. if you want to run for an office, you must have a track record of good standing for the last 3 years without any anomaly whatsoever.
5. the only campaign media that can be used will be the AM radio, TV news, internet, and word of mouth. No paid ads.
If candidates want to be known, start now. Let your light shine. No light is hid under the bed. Do good deeds now. Participate with organizations that help the country in one way or another. Start with your own village, barangay, town, province…it will ultimately be known to the whole Philippines. Talk with respect. Be firm. Let your yes be yes and your no be no.
With that kind of laws, don’t you think we’ll harvest good leaders?
I doubt, though, if there will be enough to harvest…
I doubt too if they will even take the challenge to enact these…
Who will be courageous enough to side with these?
If we ban all paid ads, wouldn’t politicians just trip over each other to bribe journalists? They call it PR 😉
This gives the incumbent a big advantage. Since they’re public figures, there are already news personnel who are expected to track their every move. News agencies have the prerogative in choosing what to report for the sake of viewership so your “let your actions speak louder” proposal is a bit marinated in naiveté.
A lot of poor people are SCUM. They should all die. :p