I am not into politics. It makes me pissed off. Politicking is a major contributory factor as to why the Philippines is pulled down in the ‘worst list’. But since I voted for Among Ed Panlilio, I have to be consistent in saying that he can expect support from me. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan and some ‘funded’ private groups filed a petition for a recall election. They have attained the number of signatures that they need to pursue their will, though the Commission on Elections still has to validate the signatures. They claim the signatures are genuine, but I heard some people saying that there were some who signed in exchange for a plastic of rice or monetary reward. I believe those hearsay even if I don’t have enough basis because I am driven by my biases. Besides, I think those signatures won’t have any effect in case a recall election pushes through.

I read something about the ‘Bradley effect’ which took place in America. A black American candidate was leading in the surveys but his close rival won the mandate of the voters. If applied in Pampanga’s present political scenerio, it is likely to happen, too. (I hope it would, in case the recall election pushes through). If some of those who signed the petition still go for Among Ed, those signatures will just go down the trash.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a known Kapampangan, keeps herself silent in this issue. But lately, her name is being dragged by some activist-leaders who say that Malacanang is partly behind the recall petition. A national leader like her would have power to stop whatever political maneuvering that is taking place in her hometown. Knowing that some (not all, just for emphasis) Kapampangans still support her, her opinion would largely affect the people’s decision. Is it possible that she has associates working for her (for a certain amount)? If it is true, I don’t have to enumerate my suspects. The list is clearly seen in everyday news about the political turmoil in Pampanga — and I hate them for being so uneducated whenever they are interviewed. If I can only enroll myself in a mixed martial arts class, I would definitely get inspired to bring home a black belt because of them. Argggh!

I always start the first few days of my class in professional ethics by explaining that “greed is the root of all evil”. I guess this cliche also applies to them.

Mark Rossem Garcia

Mark Rossem Garcia is an Assistant Professor I at the General Education Department of the Asian College of Science and Technology in Pampanga. Aside from teaching, he's keeping himself busy with his ongoing...

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6 Comments

  1. hehehe’ salamat at sa pag pirma ay may pang tawid gutom, sa kabilang banda nakakalungkot isipin na balewala na sa tao ang pangalan nila, huwag sanang dumating na pati kaluluwa nila ay ibenta narin.. dahil sa gutom.. kaluluwa? oo sa hirap ngayon’ abay makunsensya kayo sa kaluluwa nyo’ baka pati sa kabilang buhay e magutom kayo! ha ano yun?

  2. para kay ben sirko: maraming salamat sa iyong komento ukol sa aking akda. hindi lang naman sa pampanga nagaganap (o posibleng nagaganap) ang pagbebenta ng prinsipyo para lamang sa pera, o para lamang may makain. isang kultura na ring mababangit ito ng mga pilipino lalo na kapag panahon ng halalan. sabihin man nating hindi ito isang mabuting gawi, patuloy namang isisisi ng karamihang tao ang paggawa nito sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng ating lipunan. magkagayon man, marami namang ibang paraan ang ating maaring gawin upang may maipantawid-gutom. nasa tao na lamang kung aalamin nya ang samu’t-saring paraan na ito o umasa na lamang sa “instant” na kita. gandang araw!

  3. rossem, mahusay ang akda mo. malinaw ang nilalaman. sana ay mabasa ito ng lahat nang sa gayon kahit papaano mabuksan ang isipan hinggil sa ‘nakagawiang’ gawain ng mga pilipino tuwing halalan.

    ipagpatuloy natin ang pagsusulat. mabuhay tayo!

  4. Nakakakatuwang makabasa muli ng article mula sa’yo and this time sa tinig.com pa! Miss na kita rossem. I’m sure you’re doin’ great in your field. Congrats! I’m so proud sa inyo ni aiz.

  5. nakakalungkot isipin na tunay ngang nagaganap ang mga nabanggit sa bansa. Marami ang sakim sa kapangyarihan at marami ang nasisilaw sa salapi…kailan kaya matututo ang mga Pilipino?

  6. para kay Jennifer Jasme: maraming salamat sa pagbibigay ng komento sa aking akda. sa ngayon, mukhang hindi pa natin masasabing handa na ang karamihang Pilipino sa ganitong uri ng pagbabago. nakakalungkot man nga, ngunit bahagi na ito ng ating pang-araw-araw na kultura.

    gayunpaman, magandang araw!

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