As I see It, Do You?

What is the present political landscape of the Philippines? For now let’s side-step history and look forward.

Does it augur well for the betterment of the citizens of the Philippines?

I would like to believe that the new change of leadership will achieve that but there are several serious reasons that lead me believe otherwise.

From the Presidential candidates there isn’t any that has produced a clear Manifesto of what he seeks to achieve during his mandate in Office. A Manifesto that would clearly map if his aims are credulous and achievable. Also, the Manifesto would serve as a gauge for the efficacy of his leadership.

As with all our past and present Presidents, they are full of it, self-praise about their achievements. If their achievements were true why are Filipinos none for the better today and why is the purchasing power of the Philippine Currency lagging behind South East Asian countries? It must be noted that the Philippines does not face any economic challenge or impact that is unique when compared to her neighbors.

The Presidential candidates have produced no Manifesto. As an ordinary Filipino I know what the candidate wants but do I know what I will receive? If you have been keeping abreast of what the Presidential candidates have been doing, there is nothing short of bickering, backstabbing and lip service that follow in their trail. It is a national soap opera and it bears no resemblance of the seriousness that the highest Office in the land demands.

If there be truth in the axiom that unity in diversity can exist, each vying candidate would then have one perennial aim in mind. It is to bring a greater good for the citizens in every aspect. This in turn becomes the macroeconomics springboard that will benefit the country.

However, is that axiom true with the political aim of these vying candidates? I dare say that it is not true simply because my fellow countrymen have been going around in endless circles. Our politicians are deft in spinning wheels and blowing smoke in Filipino eyes. So, the standard and the quality of Filipino life have not improved except for the privileged.

One politician recently thundered that the Filipino middle class must increase by a quantum leap to ensure a stable and vibrant Philippine economy.

Clap! Clap!

Well said! May I ask how he perceives achieving that. Where is his blue print? See reader, it is all hot air again. Get the vote by handing out dreams to the voter.

Filipinos are too easily swayed by the political drama and the clout of the media. There is more than meets the eye when the ulterior motives of these politicians seek for votes. To the simple-minded voter whose emotions are manipulated, the well being of his own future is traitorously overwhelmed by promises. Promises that the simple-minded voter fails to see as hollow and unattainable, given the circumstances in the country.

While the dirty linen of each candidate’s personal life and morals are served as fodder to dupe the gullible, it helps the opposing candidate to pursue his goals with greater speed and success.

Why should rational citizens be deluded by this kind of diversions and miss what they owe first to themselves? The rational approach is to question their livelihood today and what they aspire it to be during the mandate of the new leader.

The Philippines is immensely endowed with natural resources and opportunities. Its people are highly literate and they are productive. When these two are combined, it can and it should develop the Philippines far better and far greater than what it is today.

Instead of developing our nation’s potentials, Filipinos are driven out of our country by the domestic hopelessness. We develop the economies of foreign lands beyond our shores to work as domestic maids and laborers. What about the brain drain caused by Filipino professional emigrants?

What is left behind in the country then is very obvious. In two months hence the citizens will vote the lesser of two evils to be the President of the Philippines.