The Tradpols in the Pond

The presidential race is shaping up as a contest among the son of the late president and democracy icon Corazon Aquino, Benigno “Nonoy” Aquino III; fellow Senator Manuel Villar, a wealthy real estate developer; and administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro, a former defense chief.

How about Erap? Former President Joseph Estrada, who was ousted by anti-corruption protests in 2001, also is in the contest for president, but it is expected to be challenged because of the constitutional ban on a second term. Estrada claims he was removed illegally. He was convicted of corruption and pardoned by Arroyo.

The promised 2010 elections in the Philippines are the talk of the town these days. Future uncertainties for the country’s military regime as well as the popular opposition notwithstanding, today’s election discourses may be diagnosed with a serious historical amnesia. It’s a cliche to say that those who don’t know their history are bound to repeat it.

Only less than six months before the promised elections, the facts on the ground do not signal that there is any real potential for much-needed political, economic and societal transformation. The regime’s “roadmap” is unlikely to meet even its own stated objectives of turning the country into a “modern, prosperous nation,” let alone satisfy popular liberal aspirations.In fact, “We the People” have become jaded after almost a half-century of the generals’ unbroken record of catastrophic failures in economic management, conflict and relationship of Christian and muslims in Mindanao and political leadership, as well as a clear pattern of broken promises, on top of the grinding poverty induced by the regime that envelopes the lives of the Filipinos.

Our hearts sank further as we watched the emergence of a “Tradpols” which came to be filled with social and professional backgrounds, but many of whom were too afraid to leave their seats for a comfort break.

Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos filed her candidacy for next year’s congressional elections, joining the country’s boxing champion and the outgoing president in the star-studded race for the lower house.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will become the first Philippine president to run for a lower house seat after stepping down. Barred by the constitution from seeking a second term, Arroyo filed her candidacy for the 268-member House of Representatives in her home province of Pampanga. Some critics said she might try to use the new perch _ a seat in the lower house that she is sure to snag _ to retain significant power by seeking high posts or even working toward the creation of a prime ministership.

Most recently, she fended off criticism of her political alliance with a powerful southern clan accused in the massacre of 57 people, nearly half of them journalists, in the country’s south.

Arroyo, has denied allegations of vote fraud and corruption, and has survived four impeachment bids and four attempted power grabs by disenchanted troops who accused her of mismanaging the country. Opinion polls have consistently found her to be the least popular president since Marcos, who was ousted in 1986 and sent into U.S. exile with his wife and children.

Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz said:–President aspiring for membership in the lower House of Congress, defies logic and reason when such is taken at face value. In other words, there must be something much deeper than the mere ridiculous appearance of the fact. The more logical and wherefore common course even in the perplexing world of Philippine politics is that someone, be this an aspiring politician or a traditional politico is to aim low first in the hierarchy of political authority, and thereafter gradually target higher and higher political offices. But now, there is this someone who in effect is overstaying in Malacañang in cloud 9, yet now appears eager to descend to a lowly place, among lowly people.http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20091210com6.html
I agree it’s absolutely unethical!

Consider her reason for running again: she said she is just responding to the “calls” of her prospective constituents. But who are the ones calling her to run again? Some voters from Pampanga whom she visited 50+ times in the last 12 months (something she never did while she was a senator, a vice president, or even during her first 8 years as president). I would not be surprised if some of these people would clamor and asked her to run again especially if, after being visited, they will be given an opportunity to go to Malacanang and make a “request” for PGMA to pursue a seat in Congress.Moreover, in the meeting with some of the Pampanga mayors (who are members of her party), it should not be surprising if she was the one who secretly called for this gathering so that these mayors can ask her to run again.
The so-called “clamor” is nothing but a political drama so she can have an excuse to run. Even her son’s supposed “sacrifice” (abandoning his reelection bid) is plain sickening. In countries where honor-shame is a value greatly upheld, officials who are suspected to have any involvements in a crime or any form of corruption honorably resign their post. Filipinos value honor, unfortunately, still a great number of our leaders, even if there are clear evidences of misdeeds, will not only hold on to their post, but will even use their power to evade trial and conviction. God have Mercy to the Filipino people….