CORAZON

A Nationwide Outbreak

The incident in this article happened before the Presidential election on May 10, 2010. Out of respect  to the losing candidates, and for me not to add more misery, particularly to the one that I've mentioned in this post, I decided to somewhat hide this article in one of my blogs. But with the latest occurrences and “Headlines” in my country, I felt that there is a need for this blog to be republished. For the reason that, some diseases are already deeply rooted, and we cannot cure it unless we know that it does exist.

In the Philippines, the time to elect a new President is getting near; everyday election fever gets higher. Campaign ads are everywhere; on radio, T. V., internet, T-shirts, cars, jeeps, trees, caps, everywhere. One of the leading candidates, Manny Villar, after being criticized that he will take back all that he spent during the campaign by becoming a corrupt President, replied in one of his political ads on national television that if his desire was to accumulate huge amount of wealth; he would have remain a businessman rather than become a politician. Manny Villar is a businessperson, a senator, a multimillionaire; clearly the biggest spender among the campaigners for Presidency.

Debates are everywhere; on televisions and on the streets not only of candidates but also of their supporters. In one of those street debates, I stopped and listen as one of the disputer, surely not one of Villar's supporter, pointed out that Villar's statement is an insult to the intelligence of the Filipino's; because it is a common knowledge that it is faster if not easier for a corrupt politician to get rich than a businessman. Taken aback Villar's followers ask the speaker whether he believes that his candidate will not become a corrupt President if ever elected. The man contemplated for a while, and with sadness and conviction said yes. His opponents booed him and laughed in disbelief. They pointed out that not one of those Presidential candidate is not a crook, all of them are thieves in disguise. Time, History, and experience has proven that it is true. The first debater in silence sadly agreed; but still manage to reply that he is not losing hope, not even on Villar. And added that he still believes in goodness in men, and he will choose the one who has the least would be reason and tendency to steal.

On my way home, still contemplating the issues involve in that incident, I realized that my people are cynical and had already accepted the culture of corruption. For the majority of them, it seems that it is OK to steal and to get money by any means whatsoever. That money is everything and it can buy honor, morality, principle, power, fame, respect, love, life, justice. No wonder why our country was branded as one if not the most corrupt country in the planet. Because in exchange for some amount of money and because they have no choice, a great number of Filipinos are willing to bestow their God given right to a candidate who is a crook, or has a big potential of becoming one.

Before I went home, I visit my mother who is living nearby. She is a Villarian and an avid fan of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the sitting President. We are watching the six o’clock news when Noynoy Aquino, also one of the leading presidential candidates, appeared on the screen narrating his battle cry against corruption. When she saw him, she sneered at him and angrily said that all of them (Presidential candidates) are wicked and that even he (Noynoy) is a thief. Almost automatically and sadly from within my heart, I told her that not everyone are thieves. And if she had already accepted that her candidate is a thief and would still vote for him, I am not like her; because I will not cast my vote for a thief. As she was silenced and I was somehow relieved, it came to my mind that even me is holding on to that flickering light of hope. And to think that I'm still undecided, and all I do is pray for a miracle. -PenSword2010