How would you describe your attitude towards Philippine politics and goings-on in government?

G.M. Baliatan, Angono, Rizal: I feel helpless and desperate. Our political leaders are more concerned with self-aggrandizement than their sworn duty of dedicated service to the people.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Feeling ko, helpless tayo. We’re just spectators in a circus. But we can always strike back at them come election time so I hope that we’d go for change.

Extremely disappointed, cynical

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Seeing elected candidates transform from principled people into grafters and trapos is the biggest letdown on my part.

Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province: The political system and the pervasiveness of cheating and corruption make me weep before God.

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Nueva Ecija: Facing a daily flood of anomalies and political posturing, I can’t help thinking that only fools believe in the sanity and integrity of Philippine politics.

Mario Tejada, Ilocos Norte: Kung sana ang Pilipinas ay isang pampasaherong bus, papara na ako at bababa dahil inis na inis na ako sa mga pulitiko at sa mga pinaggagawa nila .

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Considering that most of our politicians are there for vanity and self-enrichment; considering that most of the government’s much ballyhooed programs, like GMA’s claims that she would catch the economic sharks in the government and business, to be just for show; and considering that government officials have the gall to solicit charities from known economic wolves, believe you me, brothers and sisters, just like you and thinking compatriots in our country, I am extremely cynical.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: I’m full of frustration and disappointment. The recent turn of events shows how dirty Philippine politics is.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: My attitude is one of antipathy and cynicism. We’re self-destructing as a nation and as a people. The government will leave a legacy of corruption and decay.

June Deoferio, Cavite: I’m very disappointed with politics and goings-on in our government, especially when it comes to the justice system.

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: It’s nasty. When politicians are elected, kanyakanya silang diskarte at kurakot. If, by chance, a big fish is caught, he is pardoned immediately.

Let us search our own souls

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: It’s easy to describe our politicians as grafters and corruptors and our government as inept. However, let us examine ourselves and search our soul. Are we not cheaters, opportunistic, materialistic, and full of evil designs ourselves? Look at your own family, friends, community, church, and other organizations. Are they purely clean? 

M.D. Sunico, Caloocan City: Until the majority of the citizenry change their own attitudes and values in life, local politics will remain stagnant, even digressive, in the hands of the present crop of young and old politicians wallowing in the quagmire of graft, corruption, and indiscretion.

RP politics is a circus

Rey Onate, Palayan City: I’m still on a continuing search for a leader who I believe will bring us out of our present predicament caused by very rich comedians and TV actors.

Debbie Genato, Quezon City: It’s disappointing and disheartening to admit as a Filipino that Philippine politics now is a circus of clowns, robbers, liars, womanizers and self-centered politicians. The majority of them occupy the highest positions and are supposed to be our most respected ones. It’s so sad that they can hardly be trusted. Gone are the days when we could look up to politicians as statesmen who are nationalistic, have integrity and utmost intelligence, and are highly educated to run the country. The likes of Soc Rodrigo, Diokno, Manglapus, Aquino, Salonga, and Mitra now only belong to the past. Now, senators, congressmen, etc. just sprout from out of nowhere and alas! Senators na sila, congressmen or even president. This is the result of the popularity contest we call our elections. Politicians that cannot be trusted even by their own wives.

Aldo Apostol, Metro Manila: Disappointed. Our government is a puppet show.

Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City: My attitude is just like that of other Filipinos who are used to the antics and gimmicks of our politicians.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Philippine politics has all the trimmings of an excellent comedy show. Fascination and relief always follow every comical politician.

We’re at our worst

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Philippine politics is polluted. The government is waging a war against corruption without action. We are at our worst, an unprecedented chapter in the country’s history.

Dismayed

Col. Dennis Acop, Ret., Baguio City: I am very concerned as any citizen who cares for his country should be. I am appalled by the seriousness and gravity of wrongdoings being committed by so-called public servants in high positions in government. Abuse of power is rampant, along with indifference to the people as well as to morality and the rule of law. There is too much “I” in so-called public servants who think only of themselves. These public servants want all the exultant titles and positions, the front row in every gathering, and, of course, the wealth and all that it can buy. I also see only cowardice in facing the consequences of their actions once caught with their hand in the cookie jar, in not having the balls to tell the truth, and in not having the courage to tell their loved ones what liars, phonies, and thieves they are for betraying every value they learned and every oath they took. This is how concerned I am, especially after having honorably served this country for 27 years!

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Nalulungkot. Our politicians and political system are the root cause of mismanagement in our government. Kaya kawawa ang Pinoy.

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: I’m very much disappointed, upset. I’ve lost my hope for a better Philippines. It’s good there’s Inbox as my outlet to vent my disgust.

Marlone Ramirez, Dubai: It’s extremely nerve-racking to hear about corroded Philippine politics and defiled government activities. It is very humiliating for me as a Filipino to hear news about disproportionate bickering among our politicians.

Sahlee Almaden Reyes, Las Piñas City: I just want to be honest. I am profoundly dismayed at just about everything in Philippine politics and government now. Philippine politics is deteriorating. Sense of leadership, integrity, and loyalty to the country have gone to the dogs. Almost everybody in politics have their eyes on the White Mansion. The black beast called graft and corruption has completely devoured the essence of governance. What I see now is a synecdoche of lies, deceit, massive corruption and affectations rolled into one dysfunctional government. We suffer because we have been too naive, too forgiving and we tend to be forgetful.

Our leaders must have vision

Emmanuel Catabas, Metro Manila: Our politics needs a radical transformation. Sadly, most of our politicians could not present to us any new ideas of how the country should be governed. All we hear are the rhetorics of repackaged personalities. That is what our politics has turned out to be: A politics of personalities, politicians who do not have any clear political agenda . Our political system, sadly, is in a state of disarray. Party loyalties bound to a common ideology are missing. They do not even have a strong vision to guide the nation, except for their shortsightedness of gaining power. We do not have to wait for an Obama to lead us through our miseries. Let us use our communal values to scrutinize the character and ideas of each politician. Let us not be deceived by their promises and eloquent oration. Let us organize ourselves and demand from them their clear-cut agenda and ideas.

I don’t care anymore

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Deadma. I don’t give too much attention to Philippine politics since it has no positive effect on my life. I’d rather concentrate on my business so I can earn enough to support my child.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I’m already passive. It’s a que sera sera attitude for me. Nakakasawa na!

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: When Malakas at Maganda made a mockery of our government, I was like a patient under general anesthesia prior to a brain transplant. Cory made me hope for a while, until I saw Kamag-anak, Inc. making hay just like FM’s cronies. FVR changed my mind for six years. But Erap, Ping, Jinggoy, JV and Laarni made me adamant. When PGMA took over, I went full circle: I’m again adamant (noun: substance of extreme hardness; adjective: very hard).

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I’m indifferent as our politicians keep wasting time on power plays and repetitious investigations that are all for show and have never brought about big results.

Loi Castillo, Davao City: That of apathy, or else, I’d suffer a heart attack every time some politician does something atrocious. In less than 30 days, the President has been to America twice, to China once, and now she’s in Peru with 40 solons as part of the junket. The Philippines must be the only nation that is not affected by global economic crisis. Its leaders and generals continue to travel abroad. There is too much politics at the national level in Metro Manila, which erodes the credibility of the nation as a whole. Therefore, the efficiency of government services still resides at the regional and LGU level which is more adept to the public and investments.

You can’t trust anybody

Digoy Coro, Batangas: I’m dismayed to the max. It seems that almost everything can be bought or everyone can be blackmailed, including some people whom you think can be trusted.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: I’m angry and frustrated with all the political brouhaha in government and society. It seems that nobody in government nowadays merits our full trust and confidence.

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: RP politics is a dirty game played by odious trapos. The survival of the fittest mode of dog-eat-dog crabs are pulling down those who are above. Friends now, foes tomorrow.

J. Tamayo, Baguio City: My attitude towards Philippine politics and government goings-on is one of distrust and disbelief. It is difficult to believe what many of the politicians claim or say these days starting from our President herself!

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: With the frequent involvement of politicians in cases of graft and corruption, politics nowadays is a legitimate means of duping the electorate.

J. Eduardo, Baguio City: Politics and government are no different from thievery and holdups.

Revolting, nauseating

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Like many, I feel that Philippine politics is revolting. Philippine politics is truly topsy-turvy but morbidly entertaining with media providing colorful coverage, as if it were a zarsuela from the olden times or a stage play. It has now become the general belief of our people that every political activity is accompanied by a waste of money. Some expenses are padded and, worse, some projects are ghost activities. And since people are powerless to do anything about it, they just shrug in silence. Me, I show my disgust through Inbox, and whenever the occasion is right, in lectures, meetings and conversations. Indeed, politics in our republic has brought our country into its sad present state where most honorable persons are not our public servants but rather kingpins in their little kingdoms. Not all, though, thank God.

Ed Alawi, Davao City: I have a very low regard for politicians and other government officials who callously and wantonly squander and steal people’s tax money.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: Traditional politics is absolutely nauseating, as we’re always selecting the lesser evil for public office. For instance, wary of FPJ as an Erap surrogate, we voted for PGMA in 2004. Our fears were totally misplaced as the abuses and excesses of PGMA’s regime approximate, if not surpass, Marcos’. It’s depressing that the culture of impunity is now ingrained in government so much so that while we were once envied as having an economy next to Japan’s, we are now being ridiculed as Asia’s most corrupt. It’s likewise very repugnant that our elite sectors of society are either apathetic or willing partners in exploitation and degrading of our pride and dignity.

Me-first politics

Felix Ramento, Manila: I’m afraid many of our politicians and public servants might not have been taught at all about self-respect and selflessness by their parents.

Nap Cinco, Rizal: It’s always bipartisan and patronage politics that go over and above the interest of our nation and its people. We could have done better.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: It’s like a kingdom where the leader is seated in the upper pedestal and all the kampons creep below, their faces reflecting greed because they all want to have a big share. Their tongues salivate at the billions in gold served on the tall dulang by their big boss so they would shield her from the arrows that constantly threaten the kingdom. If only we had honest and sincere leaders, we would not be where we are now.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Through the years, Philippine politics has evolved into a lucrative business just like religion. Most politicians spend millions for jobs that pay a few thousands but they come out way way ahead. Many use their position to enter into contracts with the private sector for fat commissions. It is also common for politicians to lobby for rich businessmen. The people whom they are supposed to serve end up as their last priority.

We shall overcome

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: I just grin and bear it with the thought that everything has an end and the force of karma will get back on government and political parasites.

Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City: To say that I’m presently happy with both would make me a liar, but I believe that sooner or later, as they say, the sun will shine.

Ric Vergara, Calamba: As a Christian, I still believe change is coming. Matatauhan din ang mga Pilipino sa bandang huli. Sana.

The elite preserve the status quo

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: In the Philippines, the greatest disease is not cancer or TB or leprosy; it is being not cared for by politicians pretending to be “for the people and by the people,” but, in reality, are “for myself and by myself”. Their goal is only to win even without a platform for national interest. Philippine politicians have Master’s degrees in political wheeling and dealing, and backstabbing. Our political system is in the ICU. This is because it is controlled by only around 119 families.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Society is made up the greedy elite who are more concerned about maintaining their business and lifestyles; the highly-politicized AFP and PNP; and the ignorant and the poor majority who are kept that way by our leaders for easier manipulation and control. Only a radical and concerted action by the educated middle class can put a stop to this cycle of abuse and corruption. But nobody from the middle class is taking the challenge. Is it simply cowardice?

Seph Dycaico, Metro Manila: I feel that Philippine politics is really deteriorating. Most politicians don’t care for the sake of our country; instead, they just care about their own interests and benefits. That’s why we really can’t rely on them.

Our political system needs change

Rody Laroco, Parañaque City: Our politics and goings-on in government will continue to worsen unless the inadequacies of the Constitution are remedied.

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: I am one with those clamoring for a change in our political system so as to reform our kind of politicians and government leaders.

Like keeping my pet dog

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: Philippine politics for me is like keeping my pet dog Spark. Keeping him healthy and hygienically fit is tedious, and I hate it, but I have to love it because he’s part of my life and I can’t let go just like that. Our politics is dirty and I’m not only frustrated, disgusted but enraged, because while I dutifully do my share as a citizen, I still get shortchanged. Spark barks when he senses danger for my household, which is very much in contrast with our politicians who bark and bark over nothing. Sen. Roxas and those dreaming of becoming president should be extra careful. Lacson may have some embarrassing information about them, being a former PNP chief. Keep mum over threats and scams. By the way, Spark loves pork, too.

THINKING OUT LOUD

Nito Aquino, Makati City: With so many US, British, etc., military ships and planes in the area, why don’t they just blast those Somali pirates at sea every time they appear.

THE WAY I SEE IT

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: As the presidential derby draws nearer, it has become more evident that the wannabes are going to outsmart each other to gain political mileage. Pogi points ‘ika nga. In the legislature, the latest coup that transpired in the Senate has proven, time and again, that there is no security of tenure as Senate President. And it is not far-fetched that the same could happen in the Lower House. I can sense and see the almost routine destabilization acts, protests, rallies and demonstrations to have fizzled out even though impeachment initiatives are here to stay, with both actions aimed primarily at ousting the GMA government. Needless to say, this is democracy at work!

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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