By Farah G. Decano

 

WHEN I was in grade two, I appreciated the national politicians dancing on stage during the campaign period.  My young self thought that their performance was not for mere entertainment but was also for reaching the masses.  As a kid, I surmised that our leaders must descend from their so-called Mount Olympus and be with their constituencies even if there were no elections.

But I have grown older and have graduated from college.  My standards for elected leaders have changed over time.  Instead of merely wishing for their accessibility, I demand them to have good vision, reasonable platforms, transparency in dealings, competence, and patriotism.

Along with the modification of my requirements for leaders is the sorry evolution of some of these elected gods to political clowns. While they continue to wiggle their hips from “twist” to “budots” to obtain votes,  some have clearly demonstrated that such is their only qualification.

Makes me wonder,  why do these gyrating jesters get elected nowadays? Why citizens in my generation are still in awe of such gimmickry as if they have been time-warped and have become stuck with the viewpoint of a grade two student?

I blame the predatory governance of some past and present leaders who have acted like feudal lords. They have encouraged the economic dependence of their constituencies and their continued dumbing via poor-quality education. I pity these exploited people who are unable to decipher the wise from the foolish.

*          *          *          *

I was supposed to introduce senatorial candidate  Ms. Heidi Mendoza last March 27 had there been no suspension of classes at the Lyceum-Northwestern University due to extreme heat.

Ms. Mendoza is known for her courage and competence.  She uncovered the illegal “pabaon” in the Armed Forces of the Philippines which led to filing of cases against several retired generals.  She also locked horns with the powerful Binays because of her audit report on former Mayor Elenita Binay.  She also has a way with words. When she was challenged about the accuracy of her report against the retired generals, she unabashedly exclaimed, “Kahit maglakad ako ng hubad sa Welcome Rotonda.”  

No less than former President Benigno Aquino III and the feisty Senator Miriam Santiago admired her courage.  They supported her bid for appointment as Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Internal Oversight Services in 2015.   

 Since she wrote poems, I composed this poem below as my way to introduce her in that supposed colloquia at the LNU.

SI HEIDI LLOCE MENDOZA, BOW!!!

Siya ay isang maliwanag na bulalakaw

Isang umaapoy na bola na gumuguhit
Sa maiitim na pisngi ng mga taong-langit
Isa syang mabilis na kidlat na pumupunit
Ng maskara ng mga kupit na ubod ng pangit.  

Ang CPA daw ayon sa bulung-bulungan
Kapag two plus two ang tanong
Ang sagot sa ‘yo ay, “Ilan ang gusto mo?”
Salamat na lang, hindi lahat ay ganito.

 May Heidi Mendoza na sa pera’y di sumasanto
Tumitindig sa katotohanan ng mga numero
Ang four plus four sa kanya ay palaging walo
Kailanma’y di pito, di siyam, lalong hindi sampu.

 Kaya niyang panindigan ang mga natuklasan
Korapsiyon sa militar, sa Makati at anupaman
Maglakad man ng hubad sa panahon ng digma
Hindi maduduwag ang isang Heidi L. Mendoza.                

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