It's Passé and Its Bad

Have you ever wonder why things have not changed though you have elected different people for the same position over your lifetime?

Are you not surprise that you saw same people on the senate and congress podium not only in your primetime but also in the primetime of your children?

Does it make you dizzy to learn that people who disappeared in senate or congress hall are now seating as mayors or governors?

Have you surrendered to the idea that the wife, sons and daughters of the traditional politicians are the anointed one's?

Enigmatic or plain systemic?

Most candidates for the national electoral position in the Philippines not surprisingly were almost always rich. They are owners of vast lands and haciendas; they were construction kingpins and industrialist. Some were not as rich, but they belonged to the bloodline of traditional power which they carried in their name, as such, they were cuddled in the stable of the elite. These few people comprise and dominate the Philippine politics since the post Hispanic regime, because only them has the money to burn in a nationwide campaign.

A candidate will need the financial support of the circle on top of his own resources to launch a nationwide campaign. He has to spend for the campaign and spend he will. At least hundreds of millions of pesos are being poured to the economy by each party during election period in the form of TV ads, posters banners, transportation, manpower, dole-outs, etc. This is good for the economy but only for a short while. The spending spree is co-terminus with the election period that usually lasted for six months. Most of the time the spending spree paid off, and the candidates who spend the most wins, and the people once again lose.

After getting elected comes payback time; how do they recover the election expenditures? Well, for one they could berate a particular industry by claiming that its product is harmful to the environment, or the tax should be increased and a law must be passed accordingly. In reaction, the industry will pull together to create a lobby fund aimed to block the proposal from becoming a law. Another way around is when a particular industry wanted an enabling law to further its business opportunities and privileges, perhaps in the form of a preferential tax treatment As such, they would work  for an amendment, at least on the existing barrier, or for a new law at best. Similarly, they will gather to create a lobby fund and there it goes again, favor for favors; into the corruption chain. Like a circle over the spiral, the Filipino politicians through money machinery had institutionalized themselves down to the lowest grapevine. It’s just a matter of choosing the available position for grabs and getting the approval of the party leadership and membership. Hip and Hop from one position to another, a politician would become a " jack of all trades" in his political career. Its like  swallowing  a single dose of pill for all ills in one's lifetime.

Let’s be reminded that although there are many different political parties, they all belonged to a circle. The circle over the spiral of the elitist, industrialist, big land and property owners, businessman tycoons and the trade names.

It seems that the Philippine is in short supply of capable men and woman to hold national positions, so they say. But what about the character in the likes of Sec. Jessie Robredo, what are the chances of his character winning a national electoral position? In the current set-up it is less a question of character than a question of money. As mentioned if a candidate belongs to the circle he has better chances. Otherwise, it will be like punching the stars. Up to this point, the unconscious Philippines equates a capable leader in politics as synonymous with being rich, powerful and famous. But for the thinking voters it is pure rubbish! People like Secretary Robredo has proven that an ordinary middle manager from the private sector, not necessarily belonging in the elite circle can actually lead. In fact, more effectively than a traditional politician.

Early framers of the Philippine election law that were made up of the elite believed (besides the reason that they have interest to protect) that they are the only capable  leaders of the country. Such that, to maintain exclusivity they  made the election law money oriented. They were right then... but not anymore.

In the early days of Philippine democracy only the elite can afford to send their children to college and post graduate school. That gave them a real edge over the rest of aspiring politicians. Though, some lesser mortals were able to make it in the state universities through scholarships, they were gobbled up by the traditional elitist politicians who favored them with campaign funds, and eventually were drawn into the circle. Today college and post-graduate education is no longer a monopoly of the elite. There is a pool of well educated and capable managers out there waiting to be tapped. But the present electoral system of the past had effectively denied other aspiring  candidates the opportunity to serve regardless of how sincere and honest their intentions  are.

The obsolete, puristic and discriminatory election law that governs the selection of candidates must be abolished. In lieu, must be a law that will show relevance by providing balance of opportunity; that will give way to a new pool of talents in the Philippine political arena. The way to break away from that customary harmful practice is to abandon the traditional campaign method of solicitation and patronage.  

Hence, a candidate must be viewed as a prospective employee applying for a job in government. The citizens is to be regarded, as it truly is, an employer with the right to select the public servant to be entrusted with the power inherent in the position the candidate is aspiring for. The selection process should entirely be up to the people; it should not entail money to the creation of indebtedness and favors, not to the point that the integrity of the position will be bound to compromise. Candidates should instead be required to submit their political platform and agenda, personal information and supporting documents to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) together with clearances from relevant government agencies to determine the candidates character through police and court records. Financial position and accomplishment in private and public sector, whichever is the case, should also be presented and submitted to the COMELEC. Medical history should also be highlighted including neuro-psychiatric conditions and tendencies. For that matter, all relevant and essential information should be disclosed with references for independent verification. A filing fee should accompany the documents which will be use in addition to the regular budget by the COMELEC to verify and disseminate the information provided by the candidates to the voting population with objectivity, in English as well as in every dialect in use through TV, radio, newspapers and the internet. Only facts and figures will be presented to the public, no opinions or annotations. False information means disqualification.

In this way, the voting population will have a clearer view of options available to them in terms of who is the best possible candidate that they may exalt into office. Again, after the filing of candidacy certificate and after all the documents are submitted, the candidates will shut-up and do nothing. No public rallies and roadshows, no house to house trips or the like, no posters, no interviews except those that will be officially arrange and   paid for by the COMELEC for debate purposes.The bottomline is that the candidates character and personal accomplishments, be it in a public service or private industry will speak for them.

The Philippine political scenery is an eyesore and boring to say the least. It was damaged and ravaged by time. It begged for renovation. A transition to a system that provides more opportunity for new bloods could make a difference in achieving the political aspiration so many had dreamed about. No more debt of gratitude; no more favors...