True prosperity

There is no dispute that our government’s economic performance is impressive especially in the light of the many “distractions” and destabilizing moves it has encountered. We may really be on the road to progress as shown by positive macroeconomic indicators showing growth in almost all areas of national production, distribution and consumption of money, goods and services.

But the strength of a nation lies not only in its material well being. A nation’s real strength is built upon the sound character, good breeding and strong moral fiber of its people that engender unity and love of God and country. And people acquire such traits mainly by the sterling example of their leaders who “must at all times be accountable to them, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice and lead modest lives” (Section 1 Article XI Constitution).

Unfortunately, we don’t have such kind of leaders in our midst at this time. Various exposes of deviations from this Constitutional mandate committed by our public officials have not been plausibly explained or sufficiently proven to be utterly false. These exposes cannot simply be justified or set aside by citing, emphasizing and using the government’s outstanding economic performance coupled with an appeal for unity to move forward towards greater national progress and prosperity. Our country cannot move forward and really become strong and prosperous with a leadership that the bishops themselves have described as “morally bankrupt”.

On the contrary, the economic gains we seem to be enjoying now may be short-lived if we will merely look the other way as far as these alleged briberies, corruptions and anomalous use of government funds are concerned. Indeed, even as the economic picture looks rosier now, a great majority of our people have not felt its effect. If only our public officials have handled their public offices as public trusts, our strong economy would be stronger as to be felt by a greater number of Pinoys.

While fewer Pinoys experience involuntary hunger during the last three months compared to the previous quarter, there are still 2.9 million families who experience lack of anything to eat according to the latest SWS survey. This situation becomes more anomalous in the light of the recent report on the P500,000 cash gift bag distributed in Malacanang to Congressmen and local government officials and the gift of P200,000 cash that each Congressman gave to themselves last Christmas. Whether or not these funds come from legitimate sources and will be used for legitimate reasons, it simply looks obnoxious that so much money is changing hands among our politicians while some of their constituents have nothing to eat. These Congressional antics always remind me of a joke about Congress in the form of the following rhetorical question: If “pro” is the opposite of “con” what is the opposite of progress?

I cannot help but focus on the negative for it is the only way we can achieve positive changes especially in politics and in our present crop of politicians as to sustain that hope for a brighter future still nurtured by most Pinoys. Over and above the much vaunted economic gains some positive steps must be initiated for political reforms in our country.

Appointing non-politicians or persons un-beholden to any politicians as Comelec Commissioners is a step in the right direction. But it is not enough if we will have the same kind of electoral practices that makes cheating easy; if we will elect the same candidates on the bases of their money, machinery or popularity; and if we will have the same kind of voters who elect the present crop of politicians into office.

Our election laws are good enough if earnestly observed by the candidates. But loopholes in campaign overspending must still be plugged. Splurging in excessive campaign propaganda materials must be introduced as a ground for outright disqualification of a candidate. The Comelec should be empowered to determine the prima facie existence of this ground and immediately impose such sanction using the res ipsa loquitur (thing speaks for itself) doctrine. Capital punishment should be imposed on candidates and their staff as well as on Comelec Officials found violating or conniving in the violation of election laws to perpetrate fraud and terrorism.

In our kind of politics, Napoleon’s observation that “stupidity is not a handicap” and Clarence Darrow’s belief that “anybody can become a President” are true and correct. In fact even Aesop’s remark that “we hang petty thieves and elect (appoint) the great ones to public office” finds application. More stringent qualifications in terms of educational background and public service experience and expertise should therefore be added. Or we could change our system of government such that the Chief Executive of our country will be chosen by duly elected representatives of the people rather than directly elected in a popularity contest. Candidates should also be disqualified under the political dynasty provision as may be defined by law.

Voters themselves must not be allowed to commit stupidity in their choice of candidates. Their qualifications should therefore be upgraded in terms of educational background that will ensure wise choices. Moreover, the right of suffrage should be exercised only by good and diligent taxpayers.

Some of these reforms are less democratic. But they are needed to get rid of our kind of politics and present crop of politicians so necessary to achieve real national progress and prosperity we have been longing for.

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