Comments on: A Call for every Filipino http://yolynne.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/a-call-for-every-filipino/ Yolynne's thoughts on things, situations, relationships, free and open source softwares and anything that concerns her way of living a funky but harmonious life. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:41:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Rom http://yolynne.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/a-call-for-every-filipino/#comment-3687 Rom Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:46:25 +0000 http://yolynne.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/a-call-for-every-filipino/#comment-3687 I agree! The Philippines is in not so bad a state compared to other countries. However, we can do better. The problem is not the politicians - they will always be there - but more of the masses who love to vote them into office just because of popularity. This is what I hate the most. It will take time before the Filipinos will wake up and collectively make a decision not to elect these officials. Only when Filipinos learn from history will the country improve. The thing is - Filipinos have short memories. They forget the past easily. The working class must exert its power and not the non-working masses who politicians love to court (read: give money to buy their votes). Remember - the wealthy will support the politicians to protect their interests. However, the working class far outnumber them. The question is - WHEN. I agree! The Philippines is in not so bad a state compared to other countries. However, we can do better. The problem is not the politicians - they will always be there - but more of the masses who love to vote them into office just because of popularity. This is what I hate the most.

It will take time before the Filipinos will wake up and collectively make a decision not to elect these officials. Only when Filipinos learn from history will the country improve. The thing is - Filipinos have short memories. They forget the past easily.

The working class must exert its power and not the non-working masses who politicians love to court (read: give money to buy their votes). Remember - the wealthy will support the politicians to protect their interests. However, the working class far outnumber them.

The question is - WHEN.

]]> By: butalidnl http://yolynne.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/a-call-for-every-filipino/#comment-3686 butalidnl Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:48:35 +0000 http://yolynne.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/a-call-for-every-filipino/#comment-3686 As a Pinoy based abroad, I marvel at how many people in the Philippines are so depressed at the state of the country. If one has a wider view of the world, one can say that the Philippines is not doing too bad. The Philippines doesn't compare badly with most countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America in terms of economic development, governance and social cohesion. Actually, I can say we are doing rather well. Of course there is corruption in the Philippines, even in high places, but what else is new? There is corruption almost everywhere else - most especially in countries like the US or Japan, which seem to be countries Filipinos like to compare ourselves with. Corruption is not only graft (I admit, we probably have more graft than the US); but there is also nepotism, influence-peddling (aka lobbyists), undue use of public office for making personal profit, pork barrel. In these other kinds of corruption, the US beats us by far. And governments in most other countries are even worse. People hope to get idealistic leaders, who would replace the corrupt trapos. However, this is a vain hope; since the Philippine political system makes it extra difficult, if not impossible, for idealistic leaders of any kind to rise to national elected positions. Besides, it is not every kind of idealism which would be good for the country - what if the CPP-NPA takes over? will they be better than the present trapos? I don't think so. Filipinos should not despair: not only is the Philippines doing well, it is set to do much better even, and this despite the terrible political leadership we have (and will probably continue to have). In 20-30 years, the country will develop to OECD status i.e. become a developed country, both economically and politically. It is not a matter of IF, or even WHEN. It will happen. I'm sure of that. In fact, I'm so sure of that, that I plan to be Philippine-based much before that time comes. Why miss the party? As a Pinoy based abroad, I marvel at how many people in the Philippines are so depressed at the state of the country. If one has a wider view of the world, one can say that the Philippines is not doing too bad. The Philippines doesn’t compare badly with most countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America in terms of economic development, governance and social cohesion. Actually, I can say we are doing rather well. Of course there is corruption in the Philippines, even in high places, but what else is new? There is corruption almost everywhere else - most especially in countries like the US or Japan, which seem to be countries Filipinos like to compare ourselves with. Corruption is not only graft (I admit, we probably have more graft than the US); but there is also nepotism, influence-peddling (aka lobbyists), undue use of public office for making personal profit, pork barrel. In these other kinds of corruption, the US beats us by far. And governments in most other countries are even worse.

People hope to get idealistic leaders, who would replace the corrupt trapos. However, this is a vain hope; since the Philippine political system makes it extra difficult, if not impossible, for idealistic leaders of any kind to rise to national elected positions. Besides, it is not every kind of idealism which would be good for the country - what if the CPP-NPA takes over? will they be better than the present trapos? I don’t think so.

Filipinos should not despair: not only is the Philippines doing well, it is set to do much better even, and this despite the terrible political leadership we have (and will probably continue to have). In 20-30 years, the country will develop to OECD status i.e. become a developed country, both economically and politically. It is not a matter of IF, or even WHEN. It will happen. I’m sure of that.
In fact, I’m so sure of that, that I plan to be Philippine-based much before that time comes. Why miss the party?

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