Revised: June 10, 2016 | 04:25 PM (GMT + 8)
We are more informed than ever before. There is an increased number of citizens who improved their way of thinking and people are more engaged. That’s an improvement.
Congratulations to all of us!
We all witnessed how people are involved, some even ended up having intense arguments with someone or with a certain population! – “tablado kayo lahat sa akin!” (I’m against all of you!). For those who felt guilty about it, you don’t have to. Think of it as part of our development. For some, it could mean as a way of learning to be assertive. Share your views, it’s democracy anyway. But never neglect to learn. Now we are more engaged, we now have the momentum to move further and hopefully we don’t put that into waste. It doesn’t have to be a big step, as long as we’re moving, it sure will lead us somewhere, then go from there. Remember what they say: “small steps make big leaps”, that’s just how development works, it involves process (imagine a baby to a man).
As we go along, several years of achieving a certain level of development, we will understand the benefits of our differences and arguing doesn’t really mean fighting.
After election, we should not forget that we all have common ground – that is to make Philippines better. What happened to us during campaigning season is just as simple as exposing our differences attempting to unite.
Some view it that way, instead of this. Some feels more informed or smarter than others. Others see these individuals obnoxious. He supports Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, brags about R. Duterte, and asserts his stand on R. Duterte. She likes Senator Grace Poe because she sounded caring. My friend likes Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, because she has been voting her ever since (no question at all, she’s smart). These individuals seem to be amazed with DILG Sec. Mar Roxas’ sound of being analytical. And I hear others, chanting about Vice President Jejomar Binay as some form of a joke!
What about these two Vice President candidates; Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr and Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo still awaiting for official results? As long as there is no cheating or manipulation involved, that would be a wonderful start so we can immediately proceed on creating solutions making Philippines conducive enough to be labelled as “habitable”. On the other hand, if there was cheating involved, the best option to take is to stall – Let the incoming President Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s administration help rectify the situation. If cheating was made favoring Representative Leni Robredo by the way, it would be smart to think that it is because she is a Human Rights lawyer, it just so happened that she’s under Liberal Party which made things appear more malicious. Whether there is cheating or none; if Representative Leni Robredo wins, she would serve as some sort of a “stopper”, “brake”, or “assessor” if in case our incoming President Mayor Rodrigo Duterte would be exuberant in getting rid of criminals – by all means. This could mean that the implementation of going after criminals would be more reasonable.
Another way to look at it, is while she’s a Human Rights lawyer; things could work against Mayor R. Duterte when the general public allowed their emotions to get themselves carried away while witnessing human killings, hearing news about death sentence, and watching “cut-fast forward” videos of authorities arresting people in the streets meant to spin the scenario (using false exaggeration to persuade someone to believe based on inaccuracy with an intent to create a “new fact”). Example there is a gunfight happening between the authorities and a group of criminals; one mistake from the authorities such as a kid got hit by a loose bullet would definitely back fire directly to Mayor R. Duterte, not to mention the family members of those criminals who got killed would definitely play the victim mentality crying for their loved ones. Then there goes the political opponents coming out from the bush wearing camouflages (maybe through this so-called party coalition) ready to fire their bullets by airing some anti – Mayor R. Duterte ads. After which, Mayor R. Duterte will defend himself or fight back (which could also mean as a way of defending himself), then now it will appear that he’s being a dictator (or appears to be abusing his power), people will cling about Human Rights (equals Representative Leni Robredo), and the list goes on. . . At the end of this equation, we could expect an impeachment trial.
Let’s review some traits of a typical Filipino in general: Religious, Thoughtful, Pathetic, Kind, and Happy.
Below is a hypothetical sample of an algebraic expression relating to the scenario:
Where:
Ft: Typical Filipino Traits
K: Killings
E: Error from the authorities
I: All forms of inaccurate media content
Op: Political opponents’ measures
Du: Mayor R. Duterte
Le: Representative Leni Robredo
Hum: Human Rights
Cf: Crying family members
Ft + Op(K + E + I + Cf) = Du/0 + Op(Le + Hum)
We shouldn’t be concerned whoever wins the Vice Presidential race as long as there were no anomalies or incidents of cheating happened. If Representative Leni Robredo wins, the last thing we can allow to happen is an impeachment trial. Given the fact that some of the Filipino traits in general are not so suited to witness harsh tragedies in real life; our understanding and strict adherence would play a vital role to prevent an impeachment trial. If there are no serious crimes; 1) we shouldn’t be witnessing harsh tragedies, 2) there will be less issues to be inflated by political opponents, 3) less opportunities creating fabricated news, 4) and we’ll be able to focus on improving.
On the other hand, let’s take note that one of the major influences behind our incoming President Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s success, is the social media through better access to internet. Now, Filipinos are more driven to fight crime than ever before after witnessing; videos of different crime activities; abuse from the authorities; aggressive behavior of drivers; existing corruption; about beheading of foreigners; and public official scams (let’s just hope those individuals behind these social media posts won’t be used against us).
The good news is that, we just informed the whole world that we don’t want it either, and we’ve been fighting it ever since. The only difference though is that we’re stronger than before – It starts from being informed. Now we have witnessed the strength of social media, it’s also important to remember that it’s a double-edged sword. Meaning, it could also destroy us as well.
Another culprit, is a huge participation of Millennials – They’re jumping in and eager to lead.
Strengthen the Senate
For those who think we have good enough leaders in the Senate, think again. Candidates in the senate are often overlooked because there’s just too many of them and we don’t have enough time to study them given the fact that our law prohibits them to declare early candidacy. Plus, (assuming early candidacy legal) it would be more of a risk to a candidate, overall it’s more of a disadvantage anyway.
Why?
Another thing that we might want to consider is placing (through voting of course) some “southeners” in the Senate. This will add diversity in the office and a good measure reaching out to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Perhaps we can start with these two: Shariff Albani and Ina Ambolodto. Both of them have interesting academic backgrounds and experiences. They were candidates during this election happened lately, we don’t know for sure if they would still run in 2019. These two mentioned candidates are just interesting to start with, and still needs to be assessed further. Let’s not put these candidates as a recommendation – at least not yet.
The following Senators are elected on May 2013 and will serve until June 30 2019
Sen. Juan Edgardo M. Angara
Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino IV
Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay
Sen. Allan Peter S. Cayetano
Sen. Joseph Victor G. Ejercito
Sen. Francis G. Escudero
Sen. Gregorio B. Honasan II
Sen. Loren B. Legarda
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III
Sen. Grace L. Poe
Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes IV
Sen. Cynthia A. Villar
The following Senators are elected on May 2016 will serve until June 30, 2022
Sen. Franklin “Frank” M. Drilon
Sen. Emmanuel Joel Villanueva
Sen. Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson
Sen. Richard “Dick” J. Gordon
Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri
Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao
Sen. Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan
Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros
Sen. Sherwin “Wing” T. Gatchalian
Sen. Ralph G. Recto
Sen. Leila M. de Lima
Is there a senator you don’t know, or maybe finding the name familiar but can’t really remember his or her face?
Below are some helpful references to view their names, party lists, sub-roles, and pictures!
http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/05/21/Senate-17th-Congress.html
http://www.gov.ph/lists/current-senate-of-the-philippines/
https://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen16th.asp
Support the Philippines’ Regulatory Bodies
Remember, it’s not too late yet. Assuming a president of a nation is the stand-alone problem-solver is never going to make things right (not even close to better). Since we believe that good governance is developing anyway; we might as well encourage, empower, and support our government authorities and / or regulatory bodies (supervisory agencies) to be brave. Otherwise, they might shy away themselves (could be by means of not being assertive, or by pretending they don’t know something. Overall, not doing their job well) due to politicians’ power and influence. Remember what we used to say regarding our leaders? “Kung ma-prinsipyo kang tao, baka mapa-aga ka pa. . .” (If you’re a person of principle, you might end up dead earlier than expected).
Few examples:
If a public servant was caught evading taxes, then it should be that Mr. Public Servant versus B.I.R. (Bureau of Internal Revenue) together with People of Republic of the Philippines. And it shouldn’t only reflect on papers, it should also reflect on how we express it.
If a public servant was caught abusing traffic rules, then it should be that Mr. Public Servant versus Traffic Enforcers or M.M.D.A. (Metro Manila Development Authority) together with People of Republic of the Philippines.
Same applies if it involves Money Laundering, we should express our full support to AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council).
What about companies who care less about our natural resources? This reflects a public servant’s negligence too, and who knows maybe he has a share on it. In this case, let’s support D.E.N.R. (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). If we’re having doubts about the head of D.E.N.R., then let’s pull him to join our side. And if we don’t trust the head of D.E.N.R. anymore, then at least support the guiding principle why D.E.N.R. exist in the first place.
In a nutshell: These individuals who are working to supervise and / or regulate a specific sector should be encouraged to be assertive while basing on their agency’s function. The last thing that we could allow to happen is for them to regret doing the right thing.
Whether we like it or not, we are suppose to be involved. This is our best chance to keep the momentum towards good governance. Because after this, we sure don’t know what lies ahead. Better to be fit than sorry.
J. Letre
Credits
Photos:
1st Image: Incoming President Mayo Rodrigo Duterte – (EPA Photo) via dailysabah.com
2nd Image: Senate Hall – (Inquirer photo) via newsinfor.inquirer.net
Resources:
Senate of the Philippines 17th Congress Composition via CNN Philippines
Current Senate of the Philippines via Official Gazette – GOVPH
16th Congress Senators via senate.gov.ph
The Current Philippine Senators (16th Congress) via Philippine Central
Wikepedia.org