Change of Engagement

by MrsPartyGirl

While driving down I-65 on our way to Atlanta, hubby, out of the blue, blurted out: "Sana mag-delare na ng Martial Law si GMA.". I said: "haaa?!?! sabihin mo hindi ka seryoso!?!?". But he was.

He said, it worked for Marcos before. We had the best economy during the regime because no one dared go out to rally and disrupt businesses, and criminality was low because everyone was deathly scared of the PC-INP.

I said, sure. Add the fact that that regime also was the height of graft and corruption in our country perpetrated by no less than the dictator himself and his many cronies, and also was the time when human rights atrocities were committed by the government to its very own people left and right.

Some people look at Martial Law with fond memories. Yes, maybe Marcos was probably the most brilliant president we had ever had. He was bright, forward-looking, decisive, and he had a charming spouse who made it appear that everything was true, good, and beautiful. However, in doing so, he had amassed a number of political enemies - people who were able to see right through his farce. Unfortunately, instead of facing his detractors like a true leader, he resorted to an authoritarian regime that would, in effect, wipe any oppositionist off the face of the earth.

Martial Law bestows on the military the authority to take matters into their own hands, extrajudicially usually. Of course, such power will always be suceptible to abuse. And it had.

The 1986 Constitutional Commission members worked very hard to ensure that the new, post-Marcos constitution would safeguard against authoritarianism ever happening again. Yet here we are, in the process (and hope) of bending the highest law of the land just a bit further, as "the last resort" to solve the systemic problems our country is currently facing. Martial Law. The way of the cowardly man who'd rather hide behind his guns in order to instill fear, rather than use his brains, integrity, and skills to lead the people towards peace and prosperity. Well, ok. Most dictators I know ended up getting killed, exiled, or hiding inside a hole in the ground. Ang saya-saya, noh?

But wait, the right question to ask amidst all of this is: would it work this time?

It worked for Marcos because the military, during his time, was loyal to him. The military would gladly eliminate all the Chief's enemies because they feared him more than they loved him. Very Machiavellian, right?

On the other hand, can we say the same for GMA? If we should give to the military this police power, what would be their motivation? Fear? I doubt it. Respect? I seriously doubt it. Chain of command? Maybe. An authoritarian government implies a strong authoritarian leader, someone who can make decisions and not depend highly on pop demand for the pop decisions, and most importantly, someone who has complete control over the governments resources. Does our commander-in-chief have those qualities? Maybe. Not.

I guess it must be true that we Pinoys have a very short-term memory, that we can't see past our daily survival, that we tend to forget history when it seems convenient.

Many people were tortured and killed during that era. Many people showed their true colors, as well. Some died because they believed it was for the good of this country. Some amassed wealth, stolen from the people they swore to serve. How different will it be, this time? I think it will be much worse.

Much much worse. Because we are wishing for it to happen.

by TheDivineMissM!

So I found this news clip this morning and a sense of frustration sets in again.

It's systemic. It's a decades old problem. Protesting in the streets wouldn't make a dent.

Would changing the form of government help? Only if it would prevent the moneyed from abusing the system.

The way out? Give people the chance to make a decent living so that the cost of buying their votes would be too much for the corrupt politicians.

And for God's sake, teach people that having too many kids doesn't buy them a place in heaven!


PHILIPPINES STILL AMONG TOP 20 PERCENT OF CORRUPT COUNTRIES

MANILA, October 19, 2005 (STAR) The Philippines was among the top 20 percent of the countries perceived as corrupt Wednesday, according to a report by a global watchdog group's annual list of corruption levels in
159 nations.

The Berlin-based group, Transparency International, had rated the Philippines as 40th among the world's most corrupt nations in its Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2005.

The ranking of the Philippines, tied with nine other countries, was down from last year's ranking of 43.

the country had received a CPI score of 2.5, showing a high perception of corruption in the country by business leaders and country analysts. The score was based on 16 surveys from 10 independent institutions to produce a "poll of polls".

According to Transparency International's CPI, more than two-thirds of the 159 nations surveyed scored less than 5 out of a clean score of 10, indicating serious levels of corruption in a majority of the countries surveyed.

Bangladesh and Chad were ranked most corrupt. At the other end of the scale, Iceland was ranked least corrupt.

Corruption undermines efforts to eradicate poverty, with graft by public officials hampering attempts to raise the living standards of the poor, Transparency International said.

"Corruption must be vigorously addressed if aid is to make a real difference in freeing people from poverty," said Peter Eigen, chairman of the Berlin-based group.

An increase in perceived corruption from 2004 to 2005 can be measured in countries such as Costa Rica, Gabon, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay.

Conversely, a number of countries and territories show noteworthy improvements - a decline in perceptions of corruption - over the past year, including Estonia, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Qatar, Taiwan and Turkey.

by MrsPartyGirl

Dial's recent post, among others, prompted this overhaul. It's hard to turn a deaf ear to what's been happening in our country right now. I for one, have chosen to distance myself (both emotionally and physically) from my country. Thinking to put the well-being of my family first, I did the most "unpatriotic" thing and hied off with my husband to the land of the free, home of the brave. I may have deprived my country of my talents, my SSS contributions, or my nationalism, but these didn't bother me one bit when I chose to follow the path most often travelled by any Filipino who had a choice.

They say two things can either happen to you once you leave Pinas: one, you will forget your roots and grow new ones, forgetting (or forsaking) your country altogether. Or you will appreicate Her more. I am #2.

In realizing why I had to leave my country with my family in tow, I learned how much I want to see the ugly face of its politics change. I feel helpless for my family back home - trying to get through the chaos one day at a time. I live in awe of my friends, who, despite the political scenario choose to stay or survive in spite of.

I'm sure you all have a thing or two to say. As for me, I know the chances are slim that my puny voice will be heard amidst all the blabbering traditional politicians around. But I will heck write what I want.

I am a wife, a mother, and a friend. But I can also be political. After all, America is not the only place where people are free and brave. Too bad, where I come from, there are also a spattering of thick-skinned trapos who are free, brave, and extremely stupid.

by TheDivineMissM!