Do you agree with Sec. Golez that compared to the Thais, Filipinos have achieved a higher level of political maturity?

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: If lying, cheating and mob rule being practiced by stooges in Congress is what Sec. Golez means by “political maturity,” then yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! 

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Yes, I have to agree. Secretary Golez is a presidential adviser and he should know what he’s talking about.  

Not so for our voters

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: I don’t know about the Thais, but in this country, a good number of the electorate are still fooled by trapos who dance and sing on stage. Many still prefer popularity to issues and qualifications of candidates. Moreover, there are still those who vote for a price.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: No, we have yet to attain political maturity as attested by mediocre and non-performing officials voted to public office even for several terms. So undiscerning are many of the voters that confessed adulterers or convicted criminals manage to win elections. It’s absurd that we feel no indignation at the rampant corruption and misgovernance perpetrated by scoundrels coddled by PGMA.  

R. Fuentes, Quezon City: As long as we elect nincompoops and know-nothing actors and comedians, we will never reach a high level of political maturity.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: I don’t. The majority of us are still easily swayed by political rhetorics peddled by the biased media and those with vested interests.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: No, it’s the other way around. Juan votes without thinking; selling his vote is the height of his political immaturity. He sells the future of his generation.  

Maturity is a state of mind

M. Sunico, Caloocan City: Political maturity is a state of mind most Filipinos and Thais would definitely fail to achieve in the near future, unless most of us learn to discern issues and use our objective analytical capabilities to make decisions. Like the Thais, Filipino oppositionists do not intend to settle issues objectively in the form of resolutions, but would rather replace the administration as a whole. They only want a change in personalities but not in faulty procedures.  

Not our politicians, no

June Deoferio, Cavite: I don’t agree with Sec. Golez, because of the way our politicians handle and manipulate our law today.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Political maturity is when politicians are responsible enough to serve the people before themselves, which is contrary to what we see now. In my opinion, Filipinos have not yet achieved a higher level of political maturity.  

Antonio Regio, Yanbu Saudi Arabia: Opo, sang-ayon po ako diyan. Narating na ng mga kababayan natin ang rurok ng pagiging magulang sa pagiging pulitiko. Kaya nga “trapos” ang tawag sa kanila, hindi po ba?  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Compared to the Thais, we have revolted many times. We are also more passionate, intense and dramatic. We did this at Edsa and in the streets of Makati. We have somehow succeeded in achieving what we wanted, but the leaders we installed and gave our confidence to were all disappointments like Thaksin. That is why until today, we have a backward economy. For us, it’s one step forward and five steps backward. How then can we prosper and have a better economy if we are headed by someone worse than Thaksin? Here, the majority of our politicians are thick-skinned. It’s always sarili muna; sa bayan, it’s bahala na. Thailand, however, is a very progressive country. There is progress everywhere. At least the corrupt there are just a handful and when found guilty, they are punished. Here, there are always cover-ups and they are driven out of the country to live luxuriously in exile.  

Digoy Coro, Batangas City: Political maturity leading to political stability is so untrue in this country. Thai politicians are better than Filipino politicians.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: What political maturity? Thais and Filipinos have different political systems. Ang Pilipinong pulitiko kapag natalo, higanti ang nasa isip at damdamin.  

Government must beware

Edwin Castillo, Batangas City: Filipinos are busy earning a living and we already have people power fatigue, but the government must never underestimate our patience with their wrongdoing.  

We don’t know enough about the Thais

Jojo Ocampo, Palawan :I’m sure many here will have strong opinions on the Thais’ political maturity, but the fact is that very few really know the Thais well enough to make such statements.  

It’s the other way around

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Whether we agree with Golez or not, ang paniwalaan po natin ay ang kabaliktaran ng kanilang mga pahayag. Iyan po ang katotohanan.   

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Nueva Ecija: No, instead of maturing, Filipinos are crazier and more violent when it comes to politics. In the olden days, election time was more of a fiesta than terrorism. Now it’s a matter of who has the power and guns, and the common people call it political maturity.  

Larry Erfe, Quezon City: I think Sec. Golez is dreaming. Besides, money talks here.  

Leonard Villa, Laoag City: It’s the other way around. The Thais are more politically mature than Filipinos. They managed to topple down a corrupt government, while we tolerate a graft-ridden one.  

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City :No, we lack political maturity. We couldn’t act to impeach either Erap or GMA; our politicos feud like kids in power plays. We’re politically naive.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: What political maturity? We wouldn’t have been in this political quagmire if we had only matured even just a little.   

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: No, it’s actually the reverse. We Filipinos have reached the lowest level of immaturity for our inaction at the glaring corruption in the government.  

 Ric Vergara, Calamba :Sorry, Sec. Golez. In contrast, the Filipinos are at their lowest ebb. Look at our leaders, from Palace to barangay. Look at the rallyists.  

It’s partly true

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: They rumble in Parliament like ordinary neighborhood toughies, they’ve resorted to countless of coups in just a decade, and you consider them stable and mature?   

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Have Filipinos achieved a higher level of political maturity than the Thais? Well, in retrospect, I think there’s a truth to that, but from a perspective that Sec. Golez cannot boast about. While the Philippines is truly the first Republic in this part of Asia, the politics in the country has developed so well that it has now gone to a level where, as a consequence, corrupt practices have now been perfected. Out of frustration, many of our people have come to accept it as if it were now part of the norm of conduct in their daily lives. Diyan talaga natin daig ang mga Thais!  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: It’s partly true. Perhaps we’re more politically mature than the Thais. Kaya nating kunin ng paupo ang mga bagay na gusto natin.  

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales:I’m sure the Thais were inspired by the People Power Revolution which the Filipinos held, first, to remove a dictator and, then, to oust an incompetent ruler. Since it was the Filipinos who started it all, then it was copied by the Thais, we can agree that Filipinos have gained political maturity ahead of the Thais.  

Politically mature but disunited

Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province: We are politically mature but disunited due to religion, the oligarchy, and self-serving leaders that want to maintain status quo.  

The Thais have made great strides

Don Hernandez, Las Piñas City :Sec. Golez, acting true to form as a loyal PGMA subaltern, is dousing the flames by discrediting the Thai brand of people power and painting them as politically immature. On the contrary, I admire the Thais for showing a lot of guts and resolve by acting collectively to oust a leader who they believe is not right for the job. We Filipinos, on the other hand, have grown so apathetic to institutionalized corruption that we simply have lost the will to fight. We might as well just roll over and die.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: This idea of Sec. Golez exists only in his hallucinating mind. The Thais have made greater strides than we have, economically, politically and socially.  

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: Huwag na niya utuin ang mga Filipinos; the Thais are the ones who are in a high level of political maturity because of their success.  

He should stop defending GMA

A. Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: I disagree. What is the basis of Sec. Golez for expressing these statements? I see the Thais as being more mature in terms of expressing their democratic freedom and opinion and getting what they want in the end. The way the Thais handled that latest activity of expressing their democratic right is one for the record: It was bloodless, fast, strategically planned, well-coordinated and well-funded, too. Sec. Golez should stop defending GMA and start thinking for himself and the Filipino people.  

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: I wonder what political maturity Mr. Golez is talking about. He issued a careless statement that might create an acrimonious effect for the Thai protest alliance PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) if it reaches them somehow. Sec. Golez should watch out when giving his unsolicited statements. The truth is, binobola lang niya ang masang Pilipino and he’s downright insulting our intelligence. Could the dismal flop of the recent interfaith rally be his basis for such a statement? The Filipino people have assimilated political fatigue. We have become weary and worn-out from repeated physical and mental stress on rallies held for PGMA to step down but unfortunately, she remains adamant and unaffected. To quote an adage in defense of the masses, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” To my countrymen, let’s go to the streets once the time is ripe and when we think the real need arises. Let’s stay vigilant and pray more.  

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: Presidential parrot Golez should be ashamed of himself. We are no match to Thailand, even if she is under turmoil. Just look at the international rankings. We claim to be the founder of contemporary people power due to Edsa but we have already turned our backs on this most fundamental expression of direct democracy. The problem with this government and its minions of liars is that it has absolutely no shame, stooping so low just to please a corrupt and immoral leader. This is what happens when we are led by the worst instead of the best. This is also what happens when men and women allow themselves to be used instead of doing the right thing. Filipinos are Christians. We are supposed to follow the example of Christ but look at us. As Christians, our loyalty to man ends where our loyalty to God begins. It is just as well for there is a point of reckoning for everything. They may not fear the wrath of the people, but they better fear the wrath of God!  

We cannot be compared to the Thais

Felix Ramento, Manila: Politically, we cannot be compared to the Thais because we are left to defend ourselves when things get rough, while they have a king who will have to save them anyway.  

J. Hernani Parco, Kalibo, Aklan: Absolutely not. The Thais have a king they revere and respect. He is the sole arbiter of all their political and social conflicts. We don’t have such a person in our country or government. People like the present President and Vice-President would never have been elected if we had achieved so-called political maturity at all!  

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: I don’t know what Sec. Golez’s standard in comparing Pinoys with Thais was. Lilian Hellman wrote, “Nobody outside of a baby carriage, or judge’s chambers, believes in an unprejudiced point of view.” It is difficult for Sec. Golez to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: No comparison. The Thais have a king and royal family; Filipinos have political dynasties and oligarchs.  

Norberto Robles, Taguig: We are apples and oranges. Our culture and political environment differ: Thais have generals and the king as power blocs involved in governance. We have meddling religious groups.  

Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City: No, because their politicians and politics are different from ours. You cannot compare two different situations.  

We lag behind our Asean neighbors

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Words emanating from Malacañang officials are like words coming from the opposition, militant activists, biased media people and movie reporters. They may be right sometimes, but most of the time, they are deceiving. The truth is, we lag behind our Asean neighbors in many aspects, including public governance. We have not been united as Filipinos since the time of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay.  

We know how to uphold the rule of law

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City:  Yes, as the majority of our people uphold the rule of law. Otherwise, PGMA would have been ousted and reduced to mere citizen Gloria.   

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: Yes, because a coup d’ etat just recently succeeded in toppling the Thai government. Such wouldn’t have been the case in politically mature nations like the Philippines.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: In other words, Sec. Golez is saying that our rallying people are politically mature enough not to go to the airports to protest. The Thais know precisely where to bark to dim the wits out of their government. In a short time, they were able to achieve what they wanted and they are now back to normal. Pinoys, on the one hand, are still in the streets, rallying, showing the world their political maturity.  

Political maturity is a myth

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: There’s no such thing as political maturity, be it here or in Thailand or anywhere else. If there were, there wouldn’t be a need for a country. It will just be a borderless world.  

Aldo Apostol, Metro Manila: There is no such thing as political maturity. Politics does not evolve; it stays beyond whatever it had manifested. If you’re corrupt now, you’re corrupt forever.  

Political butterflies abound

Col Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: Our politicians are like butterflies, hopping from one party to another when the opportunity comes as it suits his or her pockets and desires. It’s not about the needs of the people, isn’t it, Sec. Golez?  

What an irresponsible statement

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: Sec. Golez made a fool out himself by stating a very irresponsible statement and then as quick as lightning, taking back his own words. Indeed, it was shocking to hear him say that. Perhaps the mountain of trash in his own backyard made him too blind and too deaf that dipping his finger in the Thais’ affairs is deemed one therapeutic measure! Ride on with the issue, kumbaga. It’s just too painful that instead of lauding, if not emulating it, he downgraded a good example set by the Thais.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonized nor subjugated by any Western colonialist. It has one of the oldest ruling monarchies, with traditions that they consciously change along with the call of the times. Their political maturity can be well-understood only by people who live under a monarch. I do not agree with Sec. Golez; his is a very irresponsible comparison. Nakakahiya!   

Elpidio Que, Vigan: For such a statement to have come from GMA’s mouthpiece is a call for trouble. What if Thailand attacks us because of this irresponsible statement that is insulting to the Thais? We can not even pulverize the ragtag Abu Sayyaf, thus we would be pulverized if the Thais did attack us. In our midst almost all politicians backslide, making us the second most corrupt nation in the world and the topmost corrupt nation in Asia. Thailand is down below the ladder of corruption. That’s a sad fact to be slapped on the face of Golez.  

Misguided people power

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Political immaturity could also be gauged on misguided people power, like the Thais’ airport take-over or moves to topple a legitimate government.  

We have a tendency to backslide

Marlone Ramirez, Dubai: There is no objection that Filipinos have attained a higher level of political maturity compared to the Thais. However, we backslide and fail to sustain what we have accomplished. Political advancement is a continuous journey, not an end itself. We must not be enthralled with our accomplishments; we must move on to reach the summit of our political undertakings as a nation.  

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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