Politics and the People*

Are politicians really holding public office for the sake of the people? Most of them have time to golf in Wack Wack (or watch a Pacquiao boxing match in Las Vegas) and still earn millions, while many workers labor overtime and still get paid below the minimum wage.

Are there still politicians elected in the name of progress? Most of them own lands and big businesses, while many members of the marginalized sectors are landless and jobless.

Are politicians still upholding patriotic and national interests? Most of them have connections with foreign or multinational corporations and have time to be “diplomats” to other nations, while they only approach their ordinary constituents during election periods and special occasions.

Our country’s population is around 90 million and less than a percentage of them are holders of political position and public office. A large percentage of this “minority of the powerful”, are either prominent in name, well-moneyed, or both.

However, most of the common populace is uncertain if these “public servants” are really doing their job to serve the public. Infrastructure projects are only built to deodorize their names come election time. Priorities in education and other public sectors are being done only if the media is around to cover it.

When they get involved in scandals, both political and personal, and other blunders, it is rare for politicians to admit and make up for the errors in judgment they’ve made. Typically they would either deny a scandal, or entertain (but still not admit) it in the midst of media people. If criticism and public scrutiny arise, they resort to covert dirty tactics (the good ol’ 3G: Gold, Guns, Goons) to eliminate the threat of opposition.

Despite this tainted image of traditional politics, there are still politicians who still have patriotic and progressive sentiments with their ordinary and less-fortunate constituents. With integrity, they still have the courage to speak up against the faults of their more powerful colleagues. Without price, they could still air the grievances of the common populace. They know how to stand up with integrity for the sake of the people, regardless of death threats and “allegations of subversion and sedition”. Thus, they can be deemed as true public servants. It is ironic, however, that these true servants of the people are an even smaller minority in that less than a percentage consisting of politicians and public officials.

Currently, our country is messed up in terms of economy and politics. Proposed policies lack fangs and claws, and therefore, are not implemented. Its government is being alleged as corrupt, its people are often apathetic and careless, and profit is higher than principle. Thus, our politics is not really a politics for the people.

True people’s politics can only be attained if the populace is really participating in local affairs and national issues. How then can the people be able to participate if the House of Congress, House of Senate, or even Malacañang is being held by the powerful minority? Courts sessions, house hearings, and even elections do not seem to suffice in solving our people’s problems that they may have to resort to the streets, or in worst-case scenario, to the mountains. The problem is not just with the leaders or government offices; it would most likely be the system already established in our country and tightly rooted in our society.

Can we still be able to change this system for the better of the people? Well, it depends on your politics.

* Special acknowledgement to the Tolentine Star which originally published this article in its “Hupa” (June-November 2009) issue