The filing of candidacies for the 2013 senatorial and local elections with the Philippine Commission on Elections completed recently, one can glean from the list of candidates therein the rampant violations of the Anti-Dynasty Law. Solitary warnings from the COMELEC as well as other concerned sectors are naturally ignored by virtually everybody in the government and the populace whose attention was riveted on the just concluding holiday season. Nevertheless the approaching middle part of January 2013 will definitely usher in widespread upsurge of political activities in the Philippine horizon. Of course, various profit-minded sectors will welcome with drooling lips the coming electoral period. Printing companies, small and big, are already churning out tons of campaign materials to keep with orders from candidates and supporters. Transportation companies and vehicle owners will expect sizable rental money as well, which is de rigueur during elections in the country. Lastly but not the least, voters, particularly the money-minded, are always excited during campaign periods as money flows like water up to the voting and counting episodes of the election.
Leaving these peripherals, this Blogger delves deeper in deliberate transgressions of the Anti-Dynasty merrily perpetuated by our politicians, from top down to the barangay level. A trite justification advanced by most political dynasty adherents is that they are simply motivated by the genuine desire to render public service. Critics of political dynasties denigrate such claims quite logically with the observation that even a private person can serve the community without entering politics. Many foundations and non-government organizations indeed render services to various communities and the public at large without the assistance or intervention of politicians. These entities are observed to be quicker and more efficient in extending help to the needy. Nevertheless, this Blogger knows for a fact that many politicians have found it worthwhile to establish foundations which will in the guise of doing public service be actually promoting their self-serving political agenda.
January 11, 2013
October 26, 2012
THE PHILIPPINES ON ANTEDILUVIAN CROSSROADS - REVISITED AGAIN
(NOTA BENE: The period of adjustment caused by my family departure from our place in Provident Village, Marikina City, on June 6, 2012, and settling down amidst a somewhat rural environment in Guiginto, Bulacan, prevented the immediate resumption of my blogging activities. Notwithstanding such adverse condition, I want to see the month of October fade away with the revival of my love affair with Bloggers World. Thus, here I am blogging again!) The widespread destruction inflicted by Typhoon GENER (international name, SAOLA) on many areas in the whole Luzon and some in the Visayas and Mindanao conveys ominous messages that the worst is yet to come. Our worst fears begin to unfold when KAREN (international name, SANBA), though failing to hit directly the country, did bring about widespread southwest monsoon (locally called "habagat") rains all over Luzon causing floods in low-lying areas as well as landslides in certain denuded places. As many flood-prone locations in Metro Manila got submerged in rain waters for many days, classes were always suspended and work at private and government offices was affected intermittently. As our former place in Provident Village was likewise flooded again reminiscent of the deadly ONDOY, my family is thankful to God that our new residence is virtually free from flood although we can't help feeling sad at the fate of our former neighbors and friends thereat.
Indeed, as several towns of Laguna, my home province, have yet to fully recover from the ill effects of past typhoons and the "habagat", trepidation always befalls me every time a weather disturbance is reported to approach anywhere in the Philippines. Certainly, floods and landslides will be imminent in the projected areas which such weather disturbance will manifest its destructive presence. As usual the poor masses will bear the sufferings, hunger and inconvenience storms or typhoons will bring about since they are totally dependent on the support of government agencies and charitable individuals/institutions.
But, on hindsight, we, ourselves, must share the blame the recurring floods and landslides which occur during every weather disturbance. We allow, cooperate and share from illicit profits that illegal loggings which have been going unimpeded through several decades all over the country. Even the reported directive of President Noynoy Aquino to stop such wanton destruction of our remaining forest cover has miserably elicited positive results. Proof is the news reports that during SENDONG which ravaged the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, newly cut logs rushed down with the floods and landslides wreaking havoc on the hapless citizens. As long as such indifference and tolerance, nothing else will prevent more calamities to happen again and again everywhere in the country.
Indeed, as several towns of Laguna, my home province, have yet to fully recover from the ill effects of past typhoons and the "habagat", trepidation always befalls me every time a weather disturbance is reported to approach anywhere in the Philippines. Certainly, floods and landslides will be imminent in the projected areas which such weather disturbance will manifest its destructive presence. As usual the poor masses will bear the sufferings, hunger and inconvenience storms or typhoons will bring about since they are totally dependent on the support of government agencies and charitable individuals/institutions.
But, on hindsight, we, ourselves, must share the blame the recurring floods and landslides which occur during every weather disturbance. We allow, cooperate and share from illicit profits that illegal loggings which have been going unimpeded through several decades all over the country. Even the reported directive of President Noynoy Aquino to stop such wanton destruction of our remaining forest cover has miserably elicited positive results. Proof is the news reports that during SENDONG which ravaged the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, newly cut logs rushed down with the floods and landslides wreaking havoc on the hapless citizens. As long as such indifference and tolerance, nothing else will prevent more calamities to happen again and again everywhere in the country.
May 4, 2012
PHILIPPINE ANTI-DYNASTY LAW - A FARCICAL LAW? - First Part!
The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines of the Philippines states in Article II Section 26, "The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." (Source: Wikipedia) Unfortunately and with never-ending dire consequences for the country, Congress from 1987 until this year 2012 has consistently, maliciously and deliberately failed, rather refused to pass the enabling law required by the Constitution. All bills filed to satisfy the requirements of the Constitution were never tackled by Congress and eventually consigned to oblivion for obvious reasons. With the prevailing mindset of all politicians, past, present and future, national and local, and virtually tolerated by the seemingly apathy or ignorance of the electorate, no anti-dynasty law will ever be filed and passed by Congress.
Considering the coming 2013 elections, dynasties will definitely hold sway unchallenged in the Philippine political horizon with the attendant adverse effects in government and society for decades. Many opinion writers have claimed that the oligarchy has been and will be the principal cause of the widespread corruption and economic retrogression in our country. But, after pontificating and ranting about the maleficent tentacles of the oligarchy, they will instantly clam up to write other harmless topics or other raging issues of the times. One will harbor the naughty thought that perhaps they are merely paid hacks out to demand more payments for their press relations services. Still, the painful truth remains that the changes expected with the departure of the unlamented Arroyo regime seem destined to the realm of impossibility as long as the present political system of patronage abetted by well entrenched oligarchs running the government for several decades now.
In the mind of this Blogger, the constitutional prohibition against political dynasties will forever be a shameful mockery perpetrated by all politicians, past, present and future, be they rightist, leftist or centrist, inasmuch as they are all motivated never by the pure love of country and public service, but, by overwhelming and all consuming GREED for endless power with the attendant perks and privileges.
Considering the coming 2013 elections, dynasties will definitely hold sway unchallenged in the Philippine political horizon with the attendant adverse effects in government and society for decades. Many opinion writers have claimed that the oligarchy has been and will be the principal cause of the widespread corruption and economic retrogression in our country. But, after pontificating and ranting about the maleficent tentacles of the oligarchy, they will instantly clam up to write other harmless topics or other raging issues of the times. One will harbor the naughty thought that perhaps they are merely paid hacks out to demand more payments for their press relations services. Still, the painful truth remains that the changes expected with the departure of the unlamented Arroyo regime seem destined to the realm of impossibility as long as the present political system of patronage abetted by well entrenched oligarchs running the government for several decades now.
In the mind of this Blogger, the constitutional prohibition against political dynasties will forever be a shameful mockery perpetrated by all politicians, past, present and future, be they rightist, leftist or centrist, inasmuch as they are all motivated never by the pure love of country and public service, but, by overwhelming and all consuming GREED for endless power with the attendant perks and privileges.
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