Philippines, Where To Now?

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Last May 13, the Philippines had its national mid-term elections (mid-term because the elected officials come in at the midway point of the President's term). I normally refrain from writing articles about politics simply because there is such a broad spectrum of opinion that the debates could be never-ending and heated yet fruitless all the same. However, this time around I felt that I needed to say a little something because of the wide range of emotions displayed among my contacts (at least in Facebook) as the results of the elections became clear.

Even before election day, many have been decrying the strong showing of some candidates with questionable qualifications, but at the same time the various sentiments expressed a certain optimism about the country's future. However, it looked as if the elections were going to be a popularity contest rather than a choice between intelligently crafted political platforms.

For instance, in the May 7 edition of The Philippine Star, it reported that during mock polls conducted last March 2013 by the Pinoy Youth Barometer, youthful voters voted primarily on the basis of personality and name-recall rather than platform. This would be an advantage for political dynasties because of their well-established names. The mock polls turned out to be an accurate indicator for how the elections would turn out. Those who were expected to win did, and while some new names cropped up, in general political dynasties seemed to have retained their hold on traditional bailiwicks.

Soon after the results started coming in, Facebook posts quickly took on a despairing tone as people wailed about how stupid Filipino voters were and how there was no hope for the country. Several were even toying with the idea of leaving the country or, if they had already left, felt vindicated by their decision to leave after seeing the election results.

Amidst this backdrop of angst, it really would do well to reflect on the state of Philippine society. Although there were many Facebook posts about "Don't vote this candidate because..." or "I won't vote candidate XXX because..." the problem is that the majority who needed to be informed about voting wisely most likely had limited Internet access or Internet savvy. There is a reason why politicians favor the more economically deprived sectors of society, because they form the bulk of the votes and outnumber the educated voters. By educated voters, I don't necessarily mean just the rich ones. It's just that the economically challenged masses are more easily swayed by rhetoric and sass and thus prone to vote unwisely.

Given the above realities, it's easier to manage expectations when it comes to things like this. In short, we can never really expect to change the country's politics through voting alone. Before we go on, I'm not talking about revolution or anything like that. In truth, there are many baby steps to institute change even within the current system. Recently, there were proposals for an Anti-Dynasty Bill as well as a proposal to totally remove the pork barrel of congressmen (and senators, too, I believe). Although these measures did not pass for obvious reasons, the fact that these proposals gained enough traction to receive national (and some media) attention is significant because such proposals would have been unimaginable even a few years ago.

One other aspect of hope is that the educated voters more often than not also belong to the upper strata of society. Perhaps not all would be part of the top 40 richest families in the Philippines, but they are most likely in the position to hobnob with those in power. Thus the pressure for change can manifest obliquely, through subtle suggestions and gentle pressure. It won't be fast, but it can be persistent with the right people in the right places doing it. In this case it won't be quantity but quality that will be the defining factor.

I would like to share a few passages from the book Secret Politics by Dieter Ruggeberg that seem quite appropriate for this topic:

The healthy "Self" finds its harmony in a healthy self-awareness, which struggles between becoming entrenched in egoism, and disintegrating under self-sacrifice and lack of self-confidence. The same inherent laws apply to a country. Thus, a country's self-awareness supports itself on an all-embracing sovereignty, the foundation of which is healthy nationalism or patriotism. Just as the "Self" of the individual can harden in pathological egoism, the balance of a country can be threatened by exaggerated nationalism or chauvinism. On the other side lurks the danger of disintegration of the "Self" through weaknesses, cowardice, and lack of interest which can also happen to a country when it lacks a healthy self-awareness, has diseased liberalism, internationalism, lacks patriotism. Man's self-awareness is, therefore, equivalent to a country's sovereignty and its freedom to make its own decisions, and the possibility to defend itself against foreign influences and oppression. (Secret Politics, p. 17)

Since a nation is simply a large conglomeration of individuals, it makes sense to get a sense of the nation by getting a sense of the individual that makes up that nation. But based on Mr. Ruggeberg's description, doesn't the second description, that of the disintegrating Self, remind us of what ails the Philippines?

In the end, as individuals we must decide and act based on what we feel is best. Securing the future of one's children by migrating abroad is a very valid and worthy goal, the same way that the person who decides to become an activist of change in the country also pursues a very valid and worthy goal. What is important is that all of us achieve that awareness of Self so that we end up acting in a responsible manner and don't get swayed by the politics of emotion that tend to sweep not just the Philippines but anywhere else that is in crisis. This would make one an anomaly in the context of the national trend, but it would be a good anomaly. And if enough people become that anomaly, then suddenly you've turned the tables and we have a nation that is self-aware.

Here's a quote I recently saw on Facebook:

There is one person that can make the most difference in your life. You.

This captures the essence of the matter. Don't pin your hopes on politicians and don't give the power of change to others.

The power of change is already within YOU.