Death knell for Philippine democracy

The political crisis that we are facing in the Philippines today is not just about the survival of Arroyo’s presidency. It is also whether true democracy in the Philippines will be able to overcome the death throes that threaten its survival.

For how can there be true democracy when the prevailing perception is that the voice of the people expressed in an electoral process is being subverted and manipulated through the use of power, coercion and corruption?

While before there were just whispers of dagdag-bawas (padding the votes of a favored candidate and reducing the votes of others), it is now publicly known as a regular occurrence in elections. Disenfranchisement, a common complaint among voters, is likewise a prevalent practice to thwart voters‚ rights.

With anomalies becoming more rampant and pervasive, even the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) has been suspected by some sector of just turning a blind eye.

The saddest part of all is that the Filipino people have learned to accept dagdag-bawas and other forms of election cheating and anomalies with a shrug of the shoulder. They have grown cynical about the entire electoral process.

Given the convoluted legalese of the current electoral process, it has also become extremely difficult to prosecute much less pin the blame on specific persons.

But in the public’s mind though, there is an acknowledgment that the electoral process not only of the last elections but even those of previous years was not without fraud in some form or another. Yet people have accepted this with apathy and indifference.

To my mind, this is where the greatest vulnerability of Philippine democracy lies. The credibility of our elections has increasingly been eroded over the years, and in the midst of the current controversy, it has sunk to the pits.

Election Fraud Damages Institutions

With election fraud occurring with regularity and being committed more brazenly, the electoral process, which is a vital process in a democratic society, is emasculated and ultimately becomes inutile.

The resulting tragic consequence of a flawed and discredited electoral process is the continued rotting and growing damage in our vital democratic institutions – be it the executive, the legislative or the judiciary branches of government.

The exuberance of the People Power that put an end to the Marcos era has long waned and the promise of a more mature democratic way of life in our country has not been fulfilled. Government institutions remain weak or have weakened further as the offspring of a corrupted electoral process rear their ugly heads – politicians of questionable qualification and integrity being elected, government officials being appointed to sensitive positions in the executive and judiciary as a reward for ensuring electoral victory, tolerance for shady deals in government transactions, etc.

Governance Is Compromised

With weak democratic institutions, more organized entities like the military, the Church, advocacy groups, and extremists stand ready to fulfill their "moral obligation" in the event of a leadership vacuum. Or when the opportunity arises, they flex power and influence to advance their agenda.

Since governance is dependent on the support of these groups, effective leadership towards the common good becomes difficult. Compromises and horse-trading become the order of the day. Under these conditions, no wonder that political stability is not achieved, and credibility in governance has eroded – all because institutions are weakened by a flawed and fraudulent electoral process.

Out Of The Pits

In an earlier column, (‘Of Political Equations and Bold Moves,’ Philippine STAR, July 1, 2005), I stated that GMA can reinforce her commitment to undertake reforms by ordering a top-down revamp of the Commission on Elections and set in place a process that will select credible replacements in sensitive positions. It was one of the bold moves suggested as she strove to attain stability for the rest of her tenure.

To bring back credibility to the damaged electoral process, the Comelec must be revamped and the entire organization purged from the top down to the election registrar at the municipal level. Funding must be provided to upgrade and modernize the facilities making use of proven information technology.

Investigation of reported anomalies during the last elections such as the disenfranchisement of voters, statistical improbabilities of the results in some areas, and others must be vigorously pursued, and those found guilty prosecuted without discrimination.

This is no doubt a daunting task but one that has to be urgently undertaken if we want to give our democratic way of life a chance to survive.

Non-starters

Unless the malady of our electoral process is remedied, none of the current political solutions being talked about to bring us out of the current political mess will eventually work.

For instance, one of the options being talked about is for GMA to spearhead the amendment of the Constitution and for her to shorten her tenure once the change in government is approved by the people and a new parliament constituted. Can you imagine the implications if it will still be the same discredited Comelec body that will manage and supervise the election of the members of the new parliament?

As the Financial Times (Editorial, Asia Edition, July 12, 2005) succinctly observed, "the Philippine system is flawed, not just the president." One of the systems that need to be immediately remedied, undoubtedly, is the electoral process, the lifeblood that brings true democracy to life.

Non-Wager Poker Tournaments

The ongoing Poker King Challenge, a series of non-wager poker tournaments organized and conducted by the Poker Club of the Philippines, is the latest craze in the local sporting and gaming world. It has provided hundreds of poker enthusiasts, particularly the newly converted ones, an opportunity to test their analytical and sensitivity skills over the poker table with just a minimal tournament fee at stake.

Although playing with chips with no actual monetary value, the competitors still feel the pressure of making quick calculated analyses of risk exposure and commensurate rewards. There is also the added excitement of trying to decipher your opponents‚ strategies and tactics by observing closely his or her body movements and reactions as cards are laid out.

The 2nd leg of the series was completed last weekend with Perry Calalang, a computer buff, emerging winner over 120 other participants. Calalang, together with second-placer Boy Raymundo and third placer Anthony Gabitan will join the other leg winners in the Grand Finals scheduled at end of the year.

Additional information about the tournaments is available from the Poker Club of the Philippines (c/o Cindy at telephone no. 8179092), or from its website at www.PokerClubofthePhilippines.com.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz.