Political virus

By Jun Velasco

AT the rate Philippine elections are going, we’re afraid the democratic ideal is getting bruised beyond repair.

It threatens the foundation of what we have held sacred and diamond-precious, which is the election of the best and the brightest in government now getting ensnared by the moneyed and the powerful, movie actors and actresses and power-hungry families. The place should have been reserved for the intelligent and the service-oriented.

Such is result of the corruption of the intelligent. At its worst, this mindset will push the country to the dogs.

When we were young and brimming with ideals — and the ideas of our heroes — how we exulted at following the footsteps of Rizal or Bonifacio, Magsaysay, Recto, Tanada, Marcos before the fall, and those who have consecrated their lives for their fellowmen.

Until the political virus entered the scene that opened the gates of hell. It’s not service that motivates man to aspire for leadership anymore. It’s self-glory coupled with amassing power by all means fair or foul.

“A dog-eat-dog world?” Nope, at least, not yet, let’s hope the good guys will not sulk forever, for the sake of our children and the future.

* * *

Tonight, the first meeting of the interim Dagupan chapter of the Knights of Rizal will meet at the residence-restaurant of environmentalist Nick Melecio. We expect historian Resty Basa, Ollik Manfield, a well-known German Rizalista, Gonzalo Duque, Ming Beltran, and others to attend.

We thought these are the times we reminisce the country’s golden past, when our countrymen, many of them anyway, would give up their comfort, social positions and their lives for the sake of the country. That mindset is rarely found causing many to live a life of quiet desperation.

* * *

Speaker Joe de Venecia has won the hearts and minds of Rizalistas from all over the world who attended the l6th world assembly of the Knights at the Manila Hotel two weeks back.

Joe de V, who was elevated to the highest degree in the Order that evening, was a commanding persona among Rizalistas and guests from all over the world as he spoke of the Filipino hero as the epitome of greatness by the force of his intellect, character and passion for service.

Unknown to many, there are 60 Knights of Rizal chapters around the world which include non-Filipino members but who subscribe to the Rizalian ideal.

Someone said, “strictly speaking, a hero has no country” because he speaks for all men.

Former Miss International Gemma Cruz-Araneta, who spoke the following day, said Rizal lived his best self as an individual, and by doing so, spoke for the best among all men anywhere in the world. No wonder, our supreme commander, former Chief Justice Larry Davide, now Philippines Ambassador to the United Nations, refers to Rizal as the “universal man.”

* * *

Congressional bet Benjie Lim is doing what is very hard to do, telling the people of the 4th district that he would be a better substitute for the speaker.

What’s hard to crack is that Speaker de Venecia is on top of the world’s brightest leaders of parliamentarians, a presidential timber, a fine debater, and is able to rein in as speaker amidst the thugs of congress from far and near of the archipelago.

We have posited the view that as chief executive of Dagupan, BSL was very good, topnotch, skillful negotiator and capable of making the city a world attraction. But he might find himself an odd man out in the company of blood-thirsty lawmakers reared and bred in the islands’ notorious political jungles. He was once a congressman, and must be familiar with the terrain.

* * *

By this time, the poltical wanabes must have crossed the Rubicon, so to speak. They have decided “to run” for this and that position or “to run away” ha ha.

We should admire those who have made up the decision to make a go for it. Whatever happens, a tough decision has been made. Tough decision because convincing people in these materialistic times could be a “deathly experience.” No, not that people are corrupt for many are still honest and well-meaning, but are harshly treated by a life of great need.

But we too must admire those who, after coming to grips with their inner selves, decided to let it go for the sake of the greater good. We see here the likes of Art Lomibao, Bebot Villar and the idealist non pareil Oscar Orbos.

The challenge of service is not limited to acquiring political positions but in living a life dedicated to improving other people’s lives.

* * *

At presstime, we received a flurry of text messages expressing their sentiment on Oscar Orbos’ decision not to seek again the governorship. Sign of the times? We just wrote about this in the preceding paragraphs. God bless the Philippines!

Senatoriable Butch Pichay of Team Unity has urged all politicians to support his proposed magna carta for journalists to keep them away from harm and mete the stiffest penalty to those who would harm this bastion of democracy. The builder of modern Surigao, a sharp debater in congress and former national publisher and owner of a radio station knows the plight of journalists. His campaign shibboleth, “itanim sa senado” has become a buzzword in Pangasinan . . .

Rotary colleague Angelo Padua and elder Dominador Padua are gunning for councilor in their Sison hometown. Their father, former Board Member Art Padua, was nationally acclaimed mayor of the town during his days. He is incumbent Famas president.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments