For rulers we’ve always had to choose between one political dynasty and another. Our elections are so expensive only members of wealthy political dynasties can run for office. But dynasties have invariably served their own political, economic, and cultural interests. They have consistently failed to address the problem of mass poverty and the working class’ lack of voice in government. They prefer appeasement doleouts over critical adaptations to the current socio-economic system that is at the very roots of the country’s social problems.
Filipinos are thus wedged between a rock and a hard place. Yet, what many do today is choose to be crushed by either Marcos’ rock or Duterte’s hard place. Those who support the impeachment of the Vice President are opting for the Marcos-Romualdez rock to crush them. Those against her impeachment are opting to be crushed by the hard place of the Duterte dynasty. They fail to realize that regardless of which dynasty wins out Filipinos will be wedged poor and voiceless between rich and powerful dynasties.
Granted that we must make the Vice President accountable for her confidential funds, why target her alone? Why not the President? Why not senators and congressmen? Why not high military officials? Why not governors and mayors? All these people have confidential funds or discretionary funds they get legally or corruptly from government coffers. For that matter, why not work to abolish confidential funds altogether?
Granted also that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be made accountable for alleged crimes against humanity, why the summary arrest? Why the raw exercise of power? Why the surrender of our sovereignty to a foreign court? Okay, so we can’t trust our courts. Shouldn’t we address that problem first instead of whining and crying on the shoulders of a foreign entity? When are we going to prove ourselves worthy of our status as a sovereign nation?
The summary arrest of the former president and the impeachment of the sitting Vice President are clearly attempts of the Marcos-Romualdez camp to cripple the Vice President’s chances of winning the presidency that Speaker Romualdez seems to be salivating for. It’s pure political rivalry that forebodes no positive impact on people’s lives. Dynasties, by definition and egregious practice, are not likely to liberate Filipinos from economic, political and cultural poverty.
Choosing between one dynasty and another will get us nowhere. We should give up on any dynasty ever wedging us out of our tight socio-economic situation. We should instead build a strongly united third force to level the political playing field. The marginalized have to create balanced governance with a political party of farmers, fisher folks, industrial workers, employed professionals, small entrepreneurs, etc.
Only when the masses have a strong representation in government through a party of their own can they, as co-owners, get their fair share of the country’s resources dynastic leaders have so far unjustly deprived them of.