Thoughts of a hopeful and a pessimist

Thoughts of a hopeful and a pessimist

The debate we are now witnessing in the House of Representatives over the procedures on canvassing the votes would give us a clear idea of how our legislative department have degenerated to levels that cannot be considered as healthy manifestation of a working democracy. Here in our office, we have been diligently listening to the row of opposition and administration legislators over a single section in the rules of canvassing the votes. Pardon me for my haughtiness, but even a rookie debater in any debate circle would understand that the supposed objection of the opposition legislators are nothing but mere ploy to delay the process of canvassing or the proclamation of winning candidates. I may not know much about the law or even the rules in the House of Representative and the Senate but any straight minded person would observe that the debates conducted by the legislators are nothing but hot air and that the discussion are going round in circles.

The contention that the rules or procedures for canvassing are not really mandated by the law and is therefore flexible for any revisions is not good enough an excuse not to adopt it anyway. The reason that the rules have merely become a tradition and a practice and hence can be modified to suit the needs of the current circumstances does not pass as an acceptable justification because even practices and tradition have reasons for their existence. To be able to change tradition, the justification would have to weigh greater than what has held that tradition for a long time otherwise seeing tradition as merely founded on illogical beliefs would be an irreverence to the intelligence of the makers of the tradition or whatever it is they are opposing.

There are so many questions why the first ever democracy in the South East Asian region have become a farce. It would add insult to the injury by saying that farce are better than our situation because at least there is something to laugh about in farce but the situation we are in does not deserve funny remark. If at all, it’s a scene that most of us would usually despise because of the moronic portrayal of Philippine politics. Even protagonists earn the disdain of the audience when he or she refuses to fight back to the cruelties of his or her antagonists, as if too dumb to think that his or her dignity has been crushed to the ground. Our politicians have made fun of themselves in as much as they have played with the system of government with their petty politicking and penchant to organize factions that aggravate disunity in the government. It is infuriating to see how the elected politicians, hoping that they would somehow work for the benefit of their constituents who sent them to their post, are the main perpetrators of fraud and deceit that impoverishes the majority of the people.

All the more reason for disillusion is the thought that the government they are playing with today is what we will inherit in the future. So some of you may ask, what it is that you might do to be able to contribute to the betterment of the situation? I say a little. Why is that? Because to be able to play good, one has to play by the rules. But these very rules are subject to the discretion, whims and moods of the ones in position. And these same rules can be modified according to their convenience and depending on the discomfort of others. Before the time I can be able to contribute, I must fight the might of the charlatan, overcome the legal obstacles they’ve set-up, survive the bureaucratic booby traps of their own system and still stand clean and dignified for the final match.

One may say that this is another one of those pessimistic observer who have reached her limit of absorbing the “bads” of this country, another one of those youth who never came to accept the harsh realities of life, who become too attached to her ideals. Maybe I am in part, there is no denying that especially with the tone I have written my essay. But unlike those who have resigned to accept that this is the way it will be for our country, I believe that I still have a flicker of hope within me, if not an ounce.

I am a witness to the small yet recognizable glory that my fellow countrymen give to this country. I thank God for every little advances and developments in the economy no matter how trivial. My hopes are lifted whenever every fellow student or graduate achieves great distinction outside the country. For much of the rantings and cynicism, Filipinos have become renowned not only because of their funny government and not-so-exemplary politicians but also because despite the entire catastrophe that has befallen on them, be it man-made or nature caused, they still managed to make a dent in the greater world and make their presence felt in every way other than being the fastest developing country or the most progressive one.
I don’t know if I’ll see the day when our country will once again stand tall and proud because we Filipinos have surpassed difficult and seemingly hopeless moments in our country’s history, but until we do, I’ll just be here, hoping and praying for better times.