By: Jay De Leon, Arizona, USA (Tribute to the Philippines Independence Day)
Millions of Filipinos are wondering why our beloved country is in terrible shape not only politically but economically. These issues have been steaming up for decades now and it seems no permanent nor temporary solutions are at sight. Who is responsible? Who is the culprit? Who is to blame? These are the questions that are tough to answer with the exception of the last one. Filipinos nowadays are noted for finger pointing, escaping through the back door, and cutting corners and use of shortcuts. In the family, workplace, community, and the country as a whole, these unacceptable behavior is becoming so rampant. Why? Again, a very difficult question to answer and a fact that is painful to swallow.
Looking back in the 50’s and 60’s, Filipinos were more patriotic and country-loving people. They respected and loved their neighbors that made our country back then one of the richest countries in Asia. Our standing in the world community was highly recognized while our culture remained virgin and very rich. I can still recall my father, who was a public school teacher back then, he was well addressed and respected in the community. The teachers that time acted like the Barangay Chairmen. They were the “Consultants” in the community. Police Officers and Fire Fighters were the idols of the youngsters. They upheld the law, served and protected the people. Unlike now, these professionals are being looked down and considered as stains in our society. What an unfortunate outcome?
Politicians, so many years back, were the strong muscles of country’s framework. They were the backbone of the nation who formulated the laws of the land ensuring equal justice and social rights were served to the people. You met them back then, you shook their hands with honor not shook your head. Unlike before, the system promotes corruption, inequality, social injustice, and economic sabotage leading to the slow death of the basic fundamentals of a true democracy. Politicians take advantage of the weak, the sick, the poor, the very poor, the disadvantaged, and the uneducated. Political dynasty is growing stronger and stronger as ever. Politicians and their friends are above and enjoy the loopholes of the law while the poor citizens are stuck with its teeth. What a sad environment we are in?
Political cronies and big business people connected to government enjoy the monopoly and huge syndications. They have the advantage of special treatment from not paying the right taxes to illegal deals as long as they pay out “SOP” share. If you owe government thousands of pesos for not paying taxes, most likely you will be incarcerated. But if you owe them billions of pesos, you will definitely be acquitted and gain more businesses. Medium and small scale industries will remain suppressed due to unequal playing field in the market and lack of government subsidies to survive or compete. You corrupt more people in government, then, your business will grow faster. I pity the fixed income earners who pay their taxes religiously but they are the only ones absorbing the economic shocks of uncontrollable hike in price of the basic commodities and necessities . What a very challenging situation?
Poverty is at all time high and the gap between the rich and the very poor becomes unimaginably wide. Healthcare standard hasn’t improved considering the number of talented medical professionals we produce every year. Millions of Filipinos are suffering from tuberculosis brought about by malnutrition and pollution. Prostitution and sex slavery are uncontrollably growing most especially with teenage kids. AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are gaining grounds in the country’s health arena. Proper garbage disposal is another looming problem of the nation. Mismanaged traffic problems, in urban areas most especially in Metro Manila, is a creeping cancer in the transportation system complicated by the “Tong” syndicate being operated by the unscrupulous policemen. Squatters are becoming the latest landmarks and landscapes of the cities. Deteriorating school system is continuously slipping down the drain and not meeting the demand of skills needed locally and becoming uncompetitive in the world market. Population growth is phenomenal leading to the shortage of food and social services. Illegal drugs, drug related crimes, and robberies are on the rise while the justice system is getting lazier and blinder. Cleanliness and orderliness at the public places are getting rotten thus giving foreign tourists a very short lasting impression if not a nightmare. Streets flooding is very common experience when rainy season comes. Streets are decorated with homeless, sick, and abandoned kids. Every election time local or national, cheating is the name of the game. Voters sell their right of suffrage as low as 500 pesos. Automation of election processes is being opposed by strong politicians so they can perpetuate their political scams. Political system in our country is a very lucrative business for the few. What a huge disaster?
Government was so proud in announcing that we are the number one in exporting human power in the world. The majority of which are domestic helpers or “Alila” who work in Hong Kong, Middle East and Europe. Overseas workers send over 10 Billion Dollars a year back home to revive the dying economy. This equates to the countless workers abroad who were imprisoned without justice, sexually abused and raped, physically and emotionally abused, and starved. On top of that, back home, there are broken families and abandoned children brought about by the missing parents who worked abroad for years. What kind of family and social values can these children learn? What kind of society we are trying to form? “Brain Drain” has been an issue in our country for so many decades now. This problem was never addressed seriously. Those brilliant doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers and other professionals, who had the chance to get out of the country, are not interested to return anymore and invest their talent and experience back home. Government has no program in placed enticing back these golden and talented people. Would it be nice if we are exporting commodities not humans to the world market?
What caused all of these problems? Is it government or Juan De La Cruz? In my opinion, our people is the main player in these problems. However, government systems were the root cause. After second world war, our government failed to employ the true principles of democracy. Yes, the form of government is democratic “in paper” but the true “soul of democracy” was not there available for the people. People lost their trust and confidence with the system and the love to their country had deteriorated to an alarming level. The economy was down the drain due to corruption thus people live day by day just to survive. The very few strong and influential people made it to the top, the talented professionals left the country while the weak and honest majority were left at the bottom picking up crumbs. I almost had a heart attack after reading an essay written by a Korean student studying in the Philippines. She made a comparison of South Korea and the Philippines. Economic situation in South Korea was even worst than the Philippines since they had to deal with the devastating effect of the Korean war. The only difference was, South Koreans never gave up loving their country and they rebuilt the nation together as one people headed by a great leader. At present time, they are highly industrialized and major exporter to the rest of the world. They export Korean products NOT HUMANS. This young Korean student is miles better than our politicians and lawmakers. Just imagine, a young foreigner was able to zero-in our problems and suggested an effective solution, “PUT BACK YOUR LOVE TO YOUR COUNTRY.” A loud wake-up call to our people. How embarrassing!
Is there any hope for change in the horizon? Of course there is. Are you willing to go back home and spend the rest of your life rebuilding our nation? Every year we celebrate “Independence Day” but in reality our people are still in bondage of poverty and slavery resulted from the commission of our own mistakes. Our leaders and politicians must come out clean and demonstrate the practice of honesty and truthfulness. Public servants must serve not cheat the people. A complete system overhaul is eminent to regain the public trust. Law implementation must be equal to all citizens to have the taste of a real democracy. We have enough laws already. The problem resides in its quick and effective implementations. We need a national leader who possesses a big and loving heart and iron fists. A leader who means business and will set aside personal interests while leading the country to success. A leader who will not entertain any hidden agenda in the performance of his duties. Who would that be? Dr. Jose Rizal? Too bad he is long time gone, however, his legacy is still alive in the minds of our people. We need to use it to move our country forward. Like the South Korean student said, “We need to love our country.”
Whenever problems occur in our country, the leadership will yell for system change or change in the constitution. Currently, there are groups who are pushing for federalism. If we will further analyze, it is not the system got the problem. The culprits are the dishonest public servants whose eyes are wide open to the glitters of gold and their noses are addicted to the smell of money. They don’t realize that every penny of corruption represents food they pulled out from the mouth of the starving and sick Filipinos. I agree system change may help but if the leaders will be the same personalities, therefore, we will just dress the same ugly MONKEYS with different clothes and will eat all the BANANAS leaving nothing for the people.
(Straight Face)
