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Monday, June 13, 2005
Lust for power
By Attorney Jobert Penaflorida
THE insatiable lust for power (and more power) has been the downfall of many leaders of the world, who at the outset may have the most sincere intentions.
But the delicious and enjoyable taste of the magical and royal lifestyle akin to a King or Queen, living in a palatial kingdom with every person and thing at his or her beck and call, may indeed be habit-forming.
No wonder it takes so much guts and will power for a leader to suppress not only the halleluiahs of his or her own men (who may be praising the leader up to high heavens principally for their own selfish agenda) but, more importantly, his or her own personal addiction to power.
All over the world, we have seen how many distinguished world leaders have succumbed to this "power disease" that the people have to practically drag them down from their presidential palaces.
Many have become oligarchs, bastardized their country's constitution, overhauled their political systems, looted the national treasury, corrupted the military and the police, bought and killed their opponents, and what have you, just to cling on to power.
These leaders who have originally sworn to serve God, country and people, have practically sold their souls to the devil just to remain in power, at whatever cost. Tragic, but true.
We do not have to look elsewhere for the classic and perfect example. The Philippines has already contributed to world history an infamous leader who personified all of the above.
Ferdinand Marcos. Exceptionally-gifted. Brilliant. Handsome. Exuding with confidence, bravado and charm. A genuine political gem married to a sparkling and equally formidable political ace--the beautiful Imelda. Together, they make a perfect and adorable pair. Si Malakas at si Maganda. The Filipino people embraced them with the love, admiration and hope, believing that they have finally found a President who will propel the Philippines to progress.
But look what his lust for power has done for him and for the country? Marcos did and undid everything just to stay at Malacañang for over two decades. Now, two decades after the people booted him out, we are still hurting and suffering for his selfish ambition.
But, alas, we seemed not to have learned our lessons. Perhaps, even the President can now ponder on the wisdom of having abandoned her original decision not to run. Was it worth all the trouble she has now?
But the all-encompassing perks of power may indeed be intoxicating that many people will abandon personal principles, moral values and even the national interest and the general welfare. We have seen power grabbers taking their jabs but failed. Remember Gringo and his famous coups?
Today, we see again the unfolding of another political drama that promises to rock the country and bring us all down in the process. How lower can we get when we are already at pit bottom. The never-ending accusations and counter-accusations, the controversial jueteng scandal, the explosive tapes implicating the President, the call for mass resignation from top to bottom--what else is new?
How dirtier can we get? The people are as desperate as they are confused. Our political leaders have practically lost all credibility and respect that we no longer know whom to believe?
Gloria and his flip-flopping colleagues, on one hand, or, the likes of Jinggoy, Ping and Gringo and their cohorts, on the other hand? Indeed, do we have a choice?
Or do we feel that we are torn between the devil and the deep blue sea? And if indeed Gloria is unseated, can we expect genuine change from the same set of people who were vomited out by the people some four years ago?
Indeed, we are living in very dangerous times. How sad and pathetic! Is this a curse that we, the Filipino people, have to endure? We seem to go through an unbroken chain of failed leaderships.
We are already tired, hungry and impatient. But do we have an alternative? We continue to repeat the same failed process that we always find ourselves not even inching out from the starting line in a competitive world where everyone else is trying to move forward by leaps and bounds.
At the end of the day, we can see that the real culprits are the power-hungry few, who will sacrifice the interest of the majority, for their own selfish ends.
This madness must end. Soonest. Unless we want an even greater tragedy of a social revolution to hit all of us. I'm sure the insurgents and the secessionists are more than willing to do their share.
For comments and reactions, email at attyjobertpenaflorida@yahoo.com
(June 13, 2005 issue)
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