By Loubert John P. Go, adviser, Ang Tinta Publication (Gothong High School, Cebu City)
As the 2025 midterm elections approach, many aspiring and incumbent politicians are emerging from their lairs and reaching out to the people in the community, especially the vulnerable and marginalized sectors. They give donations and financial assistance, express sympathy to people experiencing poverty in their situations and promise change if they are elected. Some even go as far as to repair damaged houses, sell fish in the marketplace and create the illusion of caring for people in need. However, these are just dramas projected among the politicians. They are modern Pharisees-like politicians pretending to serve only during the campaign period, leaving every Juan de la Cruz struggling to survive after gaining power.
During difficult times and crises, most politicians are nowhere to be found, such as during calamities, natural disasters, or public health emergencies. Instead of showing up and leading their communities, many are distancing themselves while doing their personal interests and political agendas. The constituents are forgotten and forsaken like during the Covid-19 pandemic when the government implemented a nationwide lockdown; many families experienced hunger and sickness. The National Government’s financial assistance and food supplies did not reach every household. Instead, greedy leaders exploited, politicized and commercialized these. Some took advantage of the Philhealth budget for Covid-19 patients.
These politicians are nothing more than hypocrites, pretending to be good, caring, and sympathetic to people in need, just like the Pharisees during the time of Jesus, who projected goodness before the people but were corrupt within. In short, they are pretentious. They only use poor Filipinos as props and backgrounds for their impressive advertisement in printed campaign materials, TV, radio and social media advertisements to gain fame and likes. However, when they gain power and authority, people experiencing poverty are forgotten and forsaken. They tend to forget that government is of the people, by the people and for the people. They are accountable to everyone.
Many elections have passed since Philippine politics and government were established, yet the dilemma remains the same. The greedy politicians enjoy all the luxuries and lust for money, while the Filipinos who are promised a comfortable life continue to suffer poverty. The former gets richer while the latter gets poorer. It is an apparent social injustice.
At present, it is not surprising that many Filipinos sigh and express that the country is so difficult to love. They leave the country and settle abroad for good because this is the only way to quench their thirst for good governance.
Nevertheless, this poor situation in the country will end because the key to change is in every Juan de la Cruz, not the politicians’ hands. Enough is enough. Let us open our eyes and see the truth around us. Let us be cautious. We deserve a better government. Let us stand as one in fighting corrupt and pretentious leaders. Let us be wise in choosing by checking their track records, scrutinizing their moral ascendancy and observing their presence in times of crises in our locality. The country will find light after living in darkness by discerning this upcoming election. Do not be tempted by the money from vote-buying that can give temporary or slight comfort but, in exchange, leads to a miserable life.
God bless the Philippines.