By: Ian Fiedalan
The least I could remember about presidential elections was year 1992; Simple brain function could easily give you answers why? I was just a kid, and dirty politics has yet to unfold before me. But taking you back in 1992, all I remember was Senator Mirriam Defensor Santiago had a knee to knee race with President Ramos. Then the news spreaded out: Ramos was our 12th President of the Republic. Many have speculated however that there was massive election result manipulations; and these were evidenced in a series of election protest, both in local and national posts.
To a nine year old kid, an election protest is an unclear term. I just had a clear picture when I learnt the process in my Election Law subject.
But stories behind forged partnerships to strip off the name of clean election processes, however, were being retold over and over again for years. Then the truth became myth, and myth will be kept on a good writing. Nothing but a good writing, keep forever in a dark room.
In my innocent mind, holding an election, I believe, was like a big fiesta celebration. Why? You have bands playing music, artista gracing campaign events.. People, I felt, were happy, especially youth who were bestowed of the privilege to vote for the very first time.
I have seen on television youths clamouring for change.
I was eight then all I thought of was how to participate in election; fervently wished that I could vote for my president. That I could somehow raise my voice to let others know of my demand. Now, 26, another national election is coming, I will not vote.
My distaste to Politics is not an overnight affair of brewing hate and awful sentiments. Neither this anchored upon learning in college philosophical theories. Though, whoever gave me ideas that politics is evil, and man is inherently evil had succeeded in convincing me not to venture in politics. Several theories have affirmed my personal choice. Recent events solidify my beliefs. Everyday events in dailies, radio and television shows echoes the misdeeds. I witnessed the evil myself.
It may sound strange, but true, I seldom engage in political debates. My professor in college would probably have hated me for my meekness.
Like weeks ago, I ran into a family friend. I was driving and saw him walking in the street. I stopped. Greeted him. And in an inconvenient discourse that followed, he asked whom I would be voting for president. Believing that he would extract juicy details about politics, he kept on profiling Noynoy, Teodoro, and so on. He paused for awhile, exposing his looks of anticipation. Alas! People believe that I could give them the best political ideas because of my degrees in Political Science and Law. I felt his forehead had wrinkled, showing a sign of dismay when I said I will not vote.
Apathy did not eat me alive. During college, I was part of an organisation which helps first time voters in choosing suitable leaders for our country. Last time, I checked on the web page, the people who are behind it, or supporting the campaign had been to places far south, delivering the good gospel of political transformation through youth empowerment. In school, we (student writers) actively (try to) arrest apathy among students, in firm belief that activism should begin in campus. Our university student publication delivered the theme of breaking the silence; though this activism predicates on social responsibility in general, rather than focusing on political sphere.
For me, the right of suffrage has already been a diluted term.
Some scholars believe that the right is more of a moral obligation, or bounden duty. My Introduction to Political Science, the preparatory major, taught me several ideas of how this right is vested to people. The law defines the right and creates structuralism in government. My comparative government course gave light to discussions on government structures and processes; Political thoughts and history fed me philosophical undertones about man as political creature. And when somebody asks me on why I am not practicing the right, I say: May be I have forgotten the truest meaning of the right.
What my omission has got to do with the output of mechanical-reaction-like processes in societal order that I do not know. But my friend told me once, however good a man is, he will be swallowed by what she called "sistema sa pulitika" once he embraces the league. I stand on almost the same premise but add that my omission would mean not giving my consent. Consent for an individual to do unworthy deeds. Say I could not be blamed for an ousted president, because on the first place, I did not vote for him. In short, my hands are all clean.
I hate pretentious people. Even hating the way politicians deliver their political speech; boast about their great education, great performance; yet the languages they echo were as cold as their non-blooded being. You could feel the imitation from speeches of Luther, or Malcolm X, etcetera.. But like music, the musical score had been broken. Let the dead sing, and you would feel the cold.. The nexus bridging the lyrics and music creates a creaking sound. This is a classic dead language situation when speech writers gobble the best prose for them. DEAD language for DEAD people.
Weber believes that politics is about bargaining with the evil. I believe him.
When Sen. Lacson said 'he hates politics', I could almost feel the sentiment. He wanted to stay away from political circus. How Sen. Lacson endures the 'hate-my-job' thing that I should ask. Politicians, in several occasions, got deals on issues. In between bargaining, they had forgotten their honoured ideologues. For example, to get votes from Catholics, Mr. Politician will have to disfavour the bill on Reproductive Health. Issues make or break him. The ideas of staying in power compel him to abandon his principles. Why it shouldn't be the other way around— make a stand based on what you believe is right!
Politicking consume most of my time no matter how hard I try in not engaging to any sort of political activity. We talk about politicians during dinner; In facebook, friends would put status message about Erap, Election 2010, GMA, etcetera; and wherever I go, places I visit, their faces haunt me. In major thoroughfares, markets, public work projects.. Dead people's faces on a beautifully made tarpaulin.
Greed fertilises the very root of Philippine politics. Family members are fighting over one political office; while political dynasties sustain the growing fruit of evil. At present, politicians running our country are elite people who are there to protect their personal interests, directly or indirectly, through their political privilege. No. Not for the marginalised people living in the mountains, coastal areas, slums, conflict situation areas.
In 1992 I thought election is like Fiesta. Today, election is All souls Day.
I will not be playing for the Band. I have my own band playing for the people. I live by principle that genuine public service no longer belongs to political sphere. Not in the world run by corrupted minds.
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