UNMASKING PHILIPPINE POLITICS

By Sec. Jimmy C. Andang

SP-Sultan Kudarat

George Orwell, a prolific writer on topics related to contemporary

English society and literary criticism, stated candidly that Political
language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable,
and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.
Whew! That sounds true in our setting when elections period was
called for. Political gimmicks, sad to say, were prevailing so as to attract
sympathy to ostracize the opponent from getting a large number of votes. Of
course, it could be done on stage by identified political being and to evade
retaliation by doing it incognito. Isnt it that a false made in progression and
constantly heard will give a shade of truthfulness? True and false have been
weighed in the scale of progression. They say, thats politics, and I say, thats
fallacy.
What will happen then to the besmirched reputation? Is it justified
because it is just politics? This is hooligans approach to the political
process in a civilized community. I give you this bet, more than a few
politicians have been doing this. But, is this morally accepted? Ano sa
palagay mo Father? If this is accepted, then a liar could not be distinguished
anymore from the one telling the truth. Black is white and white is black,
thus, a misleading notion.
In politics, it is expected that everybody will do something to advance
their interest. Whether the outcome will be good to others or not is
immaterial anymore. The end result is what being sought for and the end will
now justify the means. Kit Tatad is apt to state in his book A Nation on Fire
that politics has become the nations biggest business. From the start of the
campaign, everybody is selling their merchandise, legitimate or not.
Tarpaulin, leaflets, handouts and factsheets printing, scouting for campaign
manager, looking for ITs who could hack election results and substitute a
favorable result (is this possible? I doubt), bribing election registrars and
would-be election board of canvassers, hiring goons, buying guns and so
many more high jinks mercantile.
Once elected and seated as such, the business is continuously
positioned. Well and good if the business is for the interest of the people but
what if it is for ones self-interest? Then we are making a cycle which is
sprouting on each rotation a new breed of politicians. If a breed has a leaning
on advancing his interest then this breed is politically immature. They cease
to grow.

Speaking of political immaturity, who are IMMATURES - politicians or

the electorates? When we bribe electorates and the latter give in to bribes,
what are we called now? Bumili ng boto, nabili ang boto o nagbenta ng
boto? Both are considered actuation of political immaturity.
Let us be brutal and frank about this. Last elections, our electorates
have sold their votes to offering politicians at the consideration of future
services, money at hand, promises for a better living condition, etc. They
were enticed by sweet words for them to be voted upon. Get rid of money,
promises and other offers and you are left with platform of government. But,
are we easily attracted to politicians platform of government in choosing
them? Not anymore and it is an accepted fact that the electorates, when
voting, were no longer guided by politicians platform of government. Some
voted against a particular candidate because of the rubbish, baseless lies
and sickening below the belt accusations strewn, however (sad to say) many
believed in them.
It seems that our electorates were easily manipulated in the last
elections as it turned out that many believed and glorified the rumormongerer. Accepting the reality, the sharp claws of Philippine politics have
left besmirched marks on the reputation of the candidate.
Well, this is Philippine politics, a refuge of political and economic
opportunists damaging the principles of democracy.