On political dynasties and conmen

The dynasty-filled Marcos administration likes to brag about the country’s relatively high economic growth as an indication of success. This is misleading. Because while the economy is indeed expanding, it is not because of the workings of government (outside massive spending) but rather due to the resilience and hardiness of the private sector. You see, corruption is so imbedded in Philippine bureaucratic culture that government has become an impediment to national development itself. Corruption has also made the country the least competitive among ASEAN 6.

Let the statistics speak for themselves. Among ASEAN 6, the Philippines is the great kulelat (laggard) in per capita income, in industrial output, in exports, in foreign investments, in innovation, in education, in economic competitiveness, in tourist intake, in health care quality, in military firepower (fifth of six), in peace and order, in diplomatic gravitas and in effective governance.

For this, we have our political leaders to thank, past and present, and the political system they created. Because in the end, it was/is their leadership that put us in this position.

The core problem lies in political dynasties and the values many of them keep. Most dynasties prioritize corruption even if it compromises the project and its stakeholders. They prioritize pork barrel (in its many forms and iterations) even at the expense of public education, health care and national security. They prioritize rent-seeking rackets even if it erodes economic competitiveness. So lucrative is politics for political dynasties that they will literally steal, kill and destroy just to ensure political survival.

These values have seeped into the DNA of nearly all politicians, to the point of normality. It has become worse by each passing administration.

What is worrisome is that almost all politicians have adopted or are complicit to these corrupted values. No politician calls out the other for their impunities (except when politically motivated) simply because they have their own dirt to hide. Forget check and balances in the legislature. Most senators and congressmen vote according to political lines, not on ideology or principle. This has been proven time and again. Even the ombudsman and Sandiganbayan cannot be counted on to investigate the corrupt since their actions are often motivated by political considerations.

So yes, our political system is corrupt to its core. It is rigged to keep the incumbent dynasties in power. It is designed to provide the bare minimum to the people, just enough to shut them up. It is a classic case of political oppression by the political elite.

My colleague and friend in this paper, Boo Chanco, is right. We are in danger of becoming a failed state if we are not vigilant. A failed state is one with a weak government unable to provide basic needs, where corruption is rampant and where the state is unable to defend its borders and territories, among others.

So how do we course-correct? We must replace the present cast of political leaders (the dynasties) with new blood. In this midterm elections, let us reject political dynasties and instead vote for the educated, capable and morally upright alternative.

The ‘budoleros’ (conmen)

There are numerous showbiz clowns and jobless action stars aspiring for legislative positions, the majority don’t even have college degrees or political experience.

These personalities cannot even formulate a paragraph in English. To those who say English is unimportant or elitist, realize that the command of English is fundamental because our laws are written, debated upon and enacted in English. It is as basic as the knowledge of the law itself.

So if one is not fluent in English and still insists on becoming a legislator, he will only occupy space with nothing substantive to contribute. He will look like a fool. We already see this in televised legislative hearings. But the real travesty is that they edge out genuine talent.

Unqualified but popular personalities running for elected positions are, in reality, taking advantage of the naiveté of the masses. Hence, the “conman” moniker. It is a malicious ploy meant to dupe those who lack discernment. Their manipulation of the intellectually challenged reeks of bad intentions and lack of shame.

Think about it – how can the country compete with its neighbors when our laws are formulated by senators and congressmen lacking in intelligence, experience and insight.

There is a deluge of laws that need to be amended to make our economy competitive. Among them is the existing cabotage law, land reform law, local government code, EPIRA law and “no one left behind” principle of the DepEd, among others. There are even more laws needing enactment to build a stronger country. Among them are the National Industrialization and Innovation Act, Tax Incentives Transparency and Simplification Act, National Infrastructure Acceleration Act, Public Transportation Reform Act, Future-Ready Education Act, National AI and Robotics Act, Open Government and Transparency Act and of course, the Anti-Dynasty and Political Reforms Act.

Are action stars and clowns capable of fixing our legal framework? They are all written in English. Not a chance.

Again I say, let us reject these conmen because trash in, trash out. Instead, let us give our vote to the educated, capable and morally upright alternative.

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Email: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan