BY EDISON MARTE SICAD
“Legislators are so different from the typical Filipino. They are much richer, better educated, and have more property and social status than those they represent.” – Shiela S. Coronel, from the book ‘The Rulemakers: How the Wealthy and Well-Born Dominate Congress’
THE REALITY—and the inevitability—of the disparity between a typical Filipino and a typical politician is no longer surprising to us. We have accepted such a great divide as a logical consequence of a free society. Inequality is somehow an inherent structure of our government: the rulers—wielders of power–with millions and billions of pesos at their disposal, and the governed—workers in chains–with their daily wages at the mercy of inflation, among others.
Daily traffic: the road to progress
By definition, the word traffic generally means the movement of vehicles. By usage, a Filipino would usually say, “Sorry, I’m late. Sobrang traffic.”We rarely use the term traffic jam to mean exactly what we have gone through. But then, conversational language has its own cultural nuance.
An occasional traffic jam is understandable. But a daily, “scheduled” traffic jam is another thing. It is a stressful experience that couldlead to accidents andviolence, and even causing heart palpitations.To a certain extent, a traffic jam is an indicator of misplaced governmental priorities.The improvement of public transportation and related infrastructures cannot catch up with the demands of a city-life.
Here in Iloilo City, the only way to avoid getting stuck in traffic is by waking up early for work and driving home late. Or staying home.
Of course, we, the people, are causing the traffic jam. Commuters can blame the car owners. Car owners can blame the buses and tricycles. We can all blame the auxiliaries, the traffic lights, and the road parking areas and repairs. But as the saying goes, “Sorry for the inconvenience. This is…”
Daily politics/entertainment: the opium of the people
The quadcom hearings, and all the other hearings in aid of legislation, have nothing to do about any sincere intention of improving public service or of having a better government. Eventually, after all has been said and done, viewers are only after for the salacious unfolding of the theatrics of the politicians. To some politicians, such talenthas long paid off, being former good actors and now better actor-politicians.
If the recent hearings were not for the improvement and protection of the people, then what are they for?
Nothing but a preparation for the upcoming elections. Media exposure is image building. The hearings, a photo op session. This is an effective and cost-efficient campaign strategy. This strategy has been repeatedly applied it has become a nauseating activity that the politicians happily regurgitate and willingly swallowed by the voters.
Daily lesson: a Constitutional mandate
Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states:
Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives. (Emphasis supplied)
There is a high probability that most government employees are not familiar with the above-stated constitutional mandate.
Rumor has it that the most unfriendly employees (mgasupladakagtikalon) can be found in government offices.
The reality is that, despite our personal freedom and right to privacy, our lives are dominated by the wealthy and the powerful. Our actions are also monitored, and our decisions manipulated. We are living in a socialized human jungle. You are the prey without you knowing it. You might even be feeding and sustaining a predator at the expense of your own wellbeing.
Regardless of any accusations and blame that we can deservingly point to others, our Constitution, the fundamental law of the land, is clear: Personal Accountability, Professionalism, and Patriotism.“Mea culpa.”/PN
