Eye Opener
Political campaign promises
Gone are the days when honorable politicians are trusted, loved and adored by the people. Happy days are but of yesterday when people enjoy day-to-day life of sincere politicians who attend to the promises made during the political campaign when it comes to solving the economy of the nation and welfare of the people.
When respected politicians like Camilo Osias, Lorenzo Sumulong, Gil Puyat, Amang Rodriguez and former Pres. Manuel Roxas, Pres. Sergio Osmeña, Pres. Ramon Magsaysay and even Senator Benigno Aquino visiting places outside Metro Manila, they are mobbed by the people; school children lined up at school premises waving Philippine flags and employees excused themselves temporarily from their offices and joined thousands of welcomers. Autograph seekers, photo enthusiasts and other well wishers stood beside the honorable politicians and greeted them. In the interior towns, farmers and merchants left their daily chores and rushed to meet the respected politicos.
Today, people seem unmindful of politicians visiting the cities. Even during the many sorties of GMA in Iloilo, Aklan and Bacolod City, people were unconcerned of their distinguished visitors. Except for some city mayors and governors who required their employees to meet the VIPs visiting Iloilo, Ilonggos are not bent on meeting them. But when Kris Aquino, Sharon Cuneta, Vilma Santos and other celebrities come to Iloilo City people from all walks of life inched their way in the crowd to shake hands with their idols. Many voters during the election are reluctant to vote since they are of the belief that present-day politicians make promises during the campaign period but never made good their “utang na loob” to the Filipino voters. Other voters wait for money doled out by unscrupulous politicos before they decide to a vote. A number of punong barangays are given, say, P500 to P1,000 dirty money for their constituents but eventually we were told that they gave only P100 to P200 for each qualified voter. That’s the reason why many barangay officials have strings of cases with the local courts and the Ombudsman due to graft and corruption and criminality. But can punong barangays decide the outcome of the election in the city, the municipalities? Many believe that they cannot even influence their nearest relatives to vote for their candidates. Other voters who were driven grease money vote for their own choice of candidates and not of the choice of their barangay captains.
Majority of voters are now independent-minded and are not swayed by the glitters of silver or gold. Many independent voters say that when politicians buy votes the consequence will be massive graft and corruption when they are elected to office as they will get back through illegal means the millions they spend during the campaign period and on election day. That’s the main reason why the Philippines was tagged No. 2 most corrupt nation in Asia and No. 15 in the entire world. Whose administration is this? She is bowing out of office by June 2010 but still active in politics in the Pampanga Second District. Can she be accused of many crimes and anomalies during her term? The next administration and the opposition party will decide on this dilemma.
Of the presidentiables, Villar has been linked to C-5 multimillion project. Erap was meted by the court of plunder. Voters should examine well the qualification and integrity of the candidates running for president. The country has suffered much under the present administration and the coffers of the government are empty. Many have become millionaire and even billionaire and the laws of the country are inadequate to prosecute these dishonest politicians. Of course, God Almighty has the list of Filipino politicians who have stolen the peoples’ money and have enriched themselves while in public office. They now enjoy the dirty money and go places in the world and let their children and relatives enjoy sumptuous food the dirty money bought. Voters, save our country from corrupt and dishonest politicians. Let’s return our dear Philippines to prosperous nation in Asia.
