We, the Filipinos are being insulted again right in front of our eyes and noses. Family dynasties still insist to run and monopolize political powers in the name of democracy. There are only less than forty families in the whole country that dominate politics, as there are only less that number controlling the economy. And we justify this phenomenon by invoking the hackneyed truism of democracy. The trapos who have nothing to bring to public office are still running; the rascals, the scalawags, and the scoundrels too, even Lucifer and the crazies and the lunatics also.
Well, it is equally our fault, too. Evil triumphs because the good men do nothing. The really qualified, the decent men and women who have all the credentials and the executive experience would rather work in San Miguel Corporation or Petron or the BPI and the MVP Group of Companies. The really decent and respectable Filipinos consider it below their standard of propriety to be involved with Philippine politics. The lawyers would rather practice law. The doctors would rather focus on medicine. Only those who have nothing else decent to do would venture into politics.
We know of families who have the delusions of grandeur. They seem to believe that only their close family members and relatives can save the nation, the province, the city or the town. They also believe that only themselves have the calling, the congenital right to run the government. Anyway, the people tolerate them and support them. And no one equally fit and willing are posing as credible opposition. These families have no basic respect for the sanctity of the ballot. They buy votes, they bribe election officials and they terrorize those who refuse to be bought.
The trapos had been running our nation, provinces and cities since the dawn of civilization in our province and city. They believe that it is only their family names are the anointed royalties who deserve to rule the government as if they carry the divine rights of kings. And the people tolerate them either for lack of any other credible alternative or for plain stupidity. That is why many Filipinos were obsessed with Rody Duterte because he appeared to be a maverick, a different breed, someone outside the box, a clear option who was of different phylum and specie.
If we look at the list of candidates, they are almost all rascals and scalawags dressed like angels. Most of them are demons and scoundrels adorned with decent clothing and jewelry. The people have not much of a choice. In most provinces, we have a choice between and honest man who is incompetent, and a really competent executive with a sterling record of stealing and other shenanigans than can make Napoles look like a virgin. It is still the same old story, as the song goes, the fight for love and glory. The same old faces, the same lingos and slogans. And the people tolerate all these charades.
Perhaps the real decent choice is to boycott the election and to reject all these dynasties, trapos, rascals, and scoundrels. If we go to the polls and vote, we shall adorn these exercises of democratic stupidity, with the integrity and dignity of our conscientious participation. Thus, we should stay away from the polls and allow the scalawags to have their day. Then, we follow Gandhi in civil disobedience and peaceful protest of non-involvement. This kind of democracy does not deserve our participation and involvement. We should not allow evil to triumph by lending them our votes.