Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Carvajal: What is it really about?
By Orlando P. Carvajal
Break Point
IT was striking but not surprising that neither the Genuine Opposition (GO) nor Team Unity came up with a program of government at their proclamation rallies. That is because, as we have often correctly theorized before, both GO and Unity belong to warring factions of one and the same party of the elite.
Thus while GO denounces the graft-ridden regime of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, it cannot propose an anti-corruption program since it is led by Erap who is under trial for plunder and ran this country like a movie set or a rest house for his mistresses and pals.
Since they have the same program of corrupt governance of, for and by the elite, the election is all about hiding their true intent in running for office with witticisms, catch phrases and lots of entertainment. You get a pretty good idea what their real purpose in running is by asking: “What is it that makes a candidate spend millions (I am told you need 100 million to win) for a term of three years in the Senate?” You can be sure they are not spending all that money for the opportunity to serve the Filipino people.
Nevertheless, there are issues that clearly need to be addressed by the candidates. Take Charter change. There would seem to be universal agreement on some kind or some degree of Charter change. But nobody is discussing it because whoever wins will naturally want the status quo.
If PGMA’s group gets a majority in Congress there is no need for Charter change since she is once more safe from impeachment. If Erap’s GO wins, why would they want Charter change when the status quo would give them equal opportunity to plunder the country?
There’s also the issue of the economy. PGMA’s economic program is designed for the elite with the assumption that benefits will eventually trickle down to the poor. GO, as a party of the elite, cannot possibly counter this with an economic program that directly attacks poverty and directly benefits the poor. They just simply want to be the ones running the trickle-effect economic program of the elite.
GO makes a big deal out of the corruption in the PGMA government. But they cannot be specific as to how they will fight corruption once in power. They cannot because they know they will incur debts from some big-time supporters during election and will have to appoint these people to lucrative positions.
So, what’s the election all about? For GO and Unity it is very simply about who gets his turn at the till. Hence, they will violate election laws and make fools of themselves for the prestige, power and wealth of an elective office.
For us, it has to be about taking responsibility for our future. We just have to continue to find ways to save this country from the clutches of our self-serving leaders.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 21, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
