Happy Holidays!

on the U.S midterm elections: debates and negative advertisements

Three weeks before the deciding "The Day"....

One good thing about USA's democracy is the level of its maturity. This is worth saying becuase of the existence of debate and negative political advertisements among others.

Here, debate is a common event before election day. While political candidates in other countries avoid this kind of meeting, Americans wrestle just to get on stage and stand on a well-poised podium. This is one of the wide arenas where they could bring their opponents down by their antics and knowledge.  Although it is not mandatory, candidate sees an open debate as an opportunity to defend their advocacy. This also serve as an avenue where they could refute the allegations of their opponent in front of their constituencies, thus giving them great advantage to clarify political/personal issues and concerns.

Aside from debate, political advertisement also plays an important role in an American election. Candidates engage themselves in a war of 'negative advertisements' to shower some spices and level the playing field of elections. In other countries, this is being done secretly but Americans as they used to, do it their way - confidently open. As you sit in front of your TV while watching your favorite shows at night, in between commercials, negative advertisement attacks. Sometimes, it will leave you with bad connotations about American politics and might give you an idea not to vote come election day. But later, you will realize that you're indeed in USA; people here are blunt and they would want a candidate who is brave enough to be blunt, outspoken and sometimes 'mean'. At the end of the day, as long as the allegations are supported by facts, democracy is still on the right track. Anyway, in a democratic country, he who loves democracy should also love freedom and responsibility.

This is the way American electoral candidates spin their future in politics. Filipinos do the same but on a completely different approach. I see it that way mainly because on the level of maturity of democracy and the culture we practice. Although, we have debates, it is unpopular with the candidates because they tend to, most of the time, ignore it. We do negative political advertisements, but we do it our way - secretly, not supported by facts, below the belt and malicious. I don't wanna believe it but 2010 elections proved it. However, we may be behind now but at least, we're getting there. Some more push, initiative and accountability, I believe we will pass onto the next level.

This is how I see it, how about you?

Btw, between Brown and Whitman? I am a Liberal. I am a Democrat. I am Filipino and my color is brown. Obviously, that will define my candidate.

This article was also posted at Definitely Filipino Blog.

The DAMASOs of Catholic Church

Enough! After the grueling years of discussion and debate, it's time to make Life easier to all - Make it happen Pres. Aquino!

---------

Mrs. Jacinto and Mrs. Zamora are both employee of plastic factory. Both of their spouses work on the same factory. They have the same salary and benefits. Mrs. Jacinto lives in squatter area in Valenzuela while Mrs. Zamora lives in a p2,500 apartment in the same city. Mrs. Zamora's children go to private school while Mrs. Jacinto's children are in public school but some are not enrolled. Mrs. Zamora secured the college educational plan of her children while Mrs. Jacinto does not even provide the everyday allowance of her children.

They have the same income but why Mrs. Jacinto is far below Mrs. Zamora economically? Mrs. Zamora has two children while Mrs. Jacinto has eight and that's the big difference that make them financially apart...

How many families live the life of Mrs. Jacinto? How many parents shared their income to ten or so family members? How many students go to school without allowances for food? How many children stayed at home or in streets because their parents have no budget for their studies? How many families live in squatters area because they can't afford to have a house of their own? How many Mrs. Jacinto we have in the country?

How are you going to deal this alarming problem of population growth?

For many decades, our government has been held hostage by the Church and its belief of natural way of family planning. Undeniably, this "belief" leads to multiple unexpected pregnancies, 2 million babies every year, thousand of street children and family relationship gaps because of poverty. For many years, our country continues to experience desperation and hopelessness; we know the reasons behind but we just let it pass because of apathy. Our government officials let it pass because of worry to what the Damasos might do come election day. Lets make it right now - It's time to do what is right for the country - take care of your people and stop pleasing the Damasos.

Responsible parenting goes hand in hand with family planning. Without this, we can't expect an average percentage of sustainable families. Natural way of family planning has given reasonable contribution to level the population growth; however, in the midst of new age, it cannot stand the impact of advance technology to the society. The so called new generation has emerged with new and hyper activities that needs to be properly addressed. This generation needs to be presented with additional options on how they could responsibly manage their sexual activities and the future of their families. There are many studies and experiences proving that using contraceptives can effectively deal the alarming problem of population growth. These studies should be given enough weight.

It is very obvious that the growth of population is one of the factors why our budget does not meet the needs of every individual. Lets take education for example. Before we only have 40 students in a classroom, now we have 100 students. This is sort of saying that the budget for 40 students is now being shared by 100 students. This is also true with health or other government services. As population continue to rise, more people are competing to get their share of the limited budget the government has for them. If it continues, every effort to create jobs will be outdone by the bigger population. If before only 100 people is out to compete for 1 job, today it's 200, then time will come thousands of people will desperately lined up to get that one job.

We should not wait for that time. The government should start waging and leading the fight against immense population growth. If the church is active on its campaign for natural way then so be it. This will help. However, the government should also present other options to further manage the population growth. What we need are responsible "choices" and access to it.

For the Damasos, what you think of moral does not necessarily mean right. Look around and observe. See if you truly communicate the values of church (other than natural way of family planning) to the people. See if you effectively inculcate the teachings of our God. I know even it is hard to admit, the answer would be "NO". We all shared the same problem and we end up dealing with this same problem. We cannot give proper and accurate services to the people if they are too many. The scenario will always be helplessness and hopelessness. So give the issue of population control to the government. The government knows the economics better than you do. Run the church and let the government run the country! For once, practice faith. Have faith on us. Our government today deserves our TRUST while we deserve our FREEDOM OF CHOICE...

This article was also published at Definitely Filipino weblog.

Population Issue

knee-jerk

"Do not make any decision at the height of your emotions", a simple and yet powerful statement of then Dep. Spkr. Noynoy Aquino during the unexpected meeting between him, Jan-Argy and myself at HOR.

------

The hostage crisis that we all regret at the Quirino grandstand has been continuously creating myriad reactions around the world. Because of this appalling incident, we are again tagged with so many negative adjectives lining up from A to Z. In a blink of an eye, the glorious period of political triumph that we had during the last election has met its end - - - - on a “major major” sad note. Though, it should not be the case, IT IS THE ACTUAL CASE.

I was able to watch an interview aired on TFC, asking a housewife of her reaction towards the hostage incident; without any hesitations, she said, she lost the confidence she used to hold for Noynoy. She later adds that Noynoy does not deserve the Presidency anymore. I was speechless for a moment (and then I said, huh?) Then after a while, I realized it might be true to her, that she really believes what she said and that maybe many Filipinos share the same opinion. In Psychology, they would say it is a typical reaction of a human being if asked spontaneously – basing their opinions not on facts but on their emotions. In politics, we call it knee-jerk reactions and we describe it as shallow, vague and pointless.

I also have knee-jerk reactions (I will not deny that) but with this particular incident I am prepared not to engage on giving one.

This incident will never define the leadership of a reformist Leader like Noynoy. Likewise, the “major major statement” of Venus Raj will not define her personality and the honor she brought back home. Leadership and Personality have a very unique core that should be viewed comprehensively. I must say, L&P should never be subjected to knee-jerk reactions.

If you look at it, the hostage crisis is the exact description of the bureaucratic problem of the country. Hostage crisis is just one of the many effects of the well-prepared “burukrasya” along with Maguindanao massacre. We will encounter more incidents like these if we always give and accept the usual response we know - shallow and superficial solutions to please ourselves and the people.

Many Filipinos want the outright resignation of Robredo and Puno and some seek for the resignation of Noynoy. Some want to discharge the police officers immediately after the tragic event; while other push for removal of local politicians. But, lo and behold, the “mediagenic” politicians appeared from nowhere blaming everyone (except from themselves) and saying their BRIGHT piece and opinions. Voila, in one snap, the wind blows on a different direction; people are now running towards them, putting a golden crown to the newly- found heroes. And here goes again the political circus.

In reality, this is who we are and those are the things we love doing for the past decades. We tend to love people who please and give us immediate satisfaction; not realizing the shallow impact of it to our lives and the great impact of the same in the development of “burukrasya”.

For once, let’s go deeper, identify the main problem, and learn from it.

The De Lima investigation team is yet to give their findings, as soon as they release it, we will see what went wrong during the hostage period, why the negotiation failed, and why it end up to the killings of eight individuals. As for now (from De Lima’s interview), we are getting information that we really have problems on the training of our police officers and equipments they are using. Having these facts, the real problem lies to our rotten bureaucratic system.

Many Filipino political scientists (the real one) believe that we need to look deeper at the institution. We need to study the way it has been manage for the past decades and we will we see the real cause of our problem. (A dental clinic would say that we need a root canal to prevent the further decay of our teeth. We should go find a political dentist then.)

It is unfair for Noynoy and Robredo to be judged because of this incident. We should accept that the inefficiency of PNP and Government (in general) lies in the “system” developed and cultured in many decades. We should take note that the Quirino grandstand hostage crisis is not their leadership inadequacy but of “weak institutional foundation”. Bear in mind that great nations succeeded because of strong and prepared institution. USA is still up despite of recession because of prepared institutions and Singapore is building up because of strong foundation. They don’t do it overnight but they made sure every single day is gearing towards having a strong institution. (A native of Batanes province would say, “I will help you build a strong house equipped for strong typhoons”, then maybe we should go find an Ivatan builder.)

We could only strengthen our institutions only if we accept that the institution is weak and then find the cause of weakness. The new administration identified corruption as root of failing institution; then I suggest we must support their initiative to fight corrupt practices in government and in private sector. Let’s start now and we will not see another bloody hostage scenario, Maguindanao massacre, ZTE and fertilizer scam in the future.

I'm still confident that we will have a better Philippines in this leadership. Let’s keep believing!

This article was also published at Definitely Filipino blog.

FF6C67DE-DCD0-6A33-AEB4-2CF708B23A95

1.03.01