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The Filipino-Style of Democracy Today

…inept and disastrous, enjoyed only by the few!

By Apolinario Villalobos

During the American regime, particularly under the Harrison administration, Filipinization of the government gained momentum. The effort of Harrison was criticized by the Americans who perceived the Filipinos as ill-prepared, hence, needed more “training” but the kind of a “hands off” not “hands on”, which means that they should not be given direct responsibilities, to give them time to better absorb the essence of democracy. Despite the criticisms, however, Harrison, allowed the Filipinos to have a taste of self-rule, though, with lesser control, until finally, they were left on their own.

The American Constitution was the basis of the country’s own. Except for the federal form of the American government, all other aspects of the democratic system were copied. Clearly now, while practically, the American democracy was embraced by the Filipinos, its essence was not absorbed suitably. The freedom granted by the Americans nurtured the much-abused Filipino-style of democracy which, in time, became deeply-rooted, making the resulting corruption, very difficult to eradicate.

Today, the result is devastating, as such kind of democracy, is replete with abuse, being founded on kinship, gratitude and friendship. The traditional practice which had been going on since the colonial days, was never eradicated, but just got worse during the time of Harrison. It was more prevalent, though, in the lower rungs of the political system, yet. Such practice was strongly observed by the Americans in general, that is why, the freedom given to the Filipinos was perceived by them to be “unripe” and untimely.

Overly nationalistic Filipinos proudly declare that it is better to be ruled by a corrupt Filipino leader than by a foreigner. Lately, at the rate that the Filipino leaders are drowning the country in the muck of never-ending foreign-granted debts, the country’s economy has become foreign-fueled, therefore dictated by them, too, to insure the return of their “investment” complete with interest! In other words, the Filipino leaders have become puppets to these foreign lenders, making the country still foreign-ruled in a way! So, where is nationalism in such kind of a situation?

No doubt, the country has entered the new era of economic colonization. And, hypocrite Filipinos play blind and dumb to this reality, pretending that the country is still enjoying the benefits of a strong democracy. That could be true, but only for those who are in control of the government, their families, kin, and friends. The present president is undoubtedly tolerant of his critics, but democracy is not just about that. Is there democracy in the uncontrolled yearly increase in tuition fees, worsening unemployment, job contractualization, illegal mining and logging behind which are politicians and favored foreigners, yearly soaring of prices of basic commodities, and pocketing of people’s money by corrupt government officials?

A suggestion is changing the form of government, by decentralizing it. In other words, why not give federalism, a try? The essence of democracy is still the nucleus of this system, but grumblings from those with different culture will be eliminated, because with the decentralization, they can have the opportunity of ruling themselves, though on a controlled capacity. And, with the shrinking of covered areas, operation of the “federal states” can be controlled more efficiently, minimizing at least, the occurrence of corruption.

Along this line, the successful autonomous region of the Cordillera has shown that it can be done, followed by the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao which can be just enhanced for the sake of the Bangsamoro. A few more steps leading towards the creation of other regions throughout the country may result to the much-sought peace, albeit limited, due to the still prevailing pockets of insurgency and banditry. At the end, what the country will enjoy would indeed, be the true Filipino-style of democracy!

Ang Lansang (Visayas/ Hiligaynon version)

ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kon tan-awon isa lang ini nga salsalon, may ulo  ang isa ka punta, kag ang pihak mataliwis. Lain-lain ang takus sini: may daw palito sang posporo ka daku, may daw barbecue stick ka daku, asta sa daw kamalugko. Kon sadto salsalon lang ang lansang, subong may saway na para indi madunot sang tuktok, kag may stainless pa, para kon gamiton sa manipis nga plywood, indi delikado kon itum-ok.

Sadto indi pa gawa mabug-at ang mga materyales nga ginagamit sa pagpatindog sang mga balay paryas sang sanga kag hilamon. Amo nga pwede maskin higtan lang sang lanot. Pero, subong kinanlan na gid nga gamitan sang lansang para nga indi magkarabungkag ang mga dingding, salog, baralayan asta hagdan. Kon sa aton pa, lansang ang nagapahunit sang balay para indi ini basta maguba maskin sa hanot sang bagyo.

Ang malain lang kay subong ginagamit man ang lansang nga sangkap sang mga bomba nga ginapawasaag sang mga hurong nga terorista kag ekstursiyunista. Ginagamit man ini nga talom sang pana nga una ginkilala sa Tondo, bilang “Indian pana” (Indian arrow). Ang indi mapatihan nga gamit sang lansang, amo ang sa panghiwit nga kuno ginasulod sang manughiwit sa tiyan sang tawo kag para mapagwa, kinanlan ipamus-on pa nga nagaresulta sa pagkapilas sang tinai kag ariputan.

Masakit man pamatyagon, daku ang partisipasyon sang lansang sa pagluwas ni Hesus sa katawhan. Ginlansang siya sa krus. Lansang ang naghatag sa iya sang pasakit sa krus nga gin-antos Niya para lang maluwas sa sala ang mga tawo. Nalipatan lang siguro sang simbahan nga Kristiyano ang pagmitlang sa lansang, kay ang naandan nila nga gamiton bilang simbulo sang pasakit ni Hesus, krus lang. Kon indi tungod sa lansang, makumpleto ayhan ni Hesus ang sakripisyo Niya sa krus para sa katawhan?  Kon ang krus, amo ang sala sang mga tawo nga ginpas-an ni Hesus, ang lansang naman ang pagkabugalon nila….naghatag sang sakit nga nagapanalupsop sa Iya nga mga kaunuran!

Translations:

salsalon           -bakal/iron

pihak               -kabila/other end

takus               -sukat/size

tuktok              -kalawang/rust

lanot                -baging, damong pantali/vine, hemp

mabug-at         -mabigat/heavy

higtan              -talian/to tie

hurong             -masamang tao/villain

ginapawasaag -pinapasabog/being exploded

panghiwit        -pangkulam/witchcraft, sorcery

nagapahunit    -nagpapatibay/strengthen

ariputan           -puwet/anus

pagmitlang      -pagbanggit/to mention

pagkabugalon –kayabangan/being proud

katawhan        -mankind

Note: Hiligaynon as a Filipino dialect is widely spoken on the island of Panay, of the Philippines’ Visayas region.

The Lesson from the Consistent Humility of Jesus

….that man never ever learns!

By Apolinario Villalobos

The birth of Jesus is the greatest manifestation of his humility. Unfortunately, instead of emulating such virtue, Christians celebrate his questionable birthday every December with so much pomp and unrestrained festivity. To justify the scandalous celebration, “Christians” reason out that they are just “happily celebrating”. Can’t happiness be celebrated in simple ways? Why spend the whole year savings for just a few days of spending all “in the name of Jesus”? Also, it is during such seemingly paganistic manifestation for the “love” of Christ that the hurting difference between the rich and the poor is very much defined…still, we pay no heed to such scandalously unchristian practice.

Bible readers come across parables about Christ’s humility, but instead of emulating them, what they read remain just that – stories from the pages of a book. And yet, they even unabashedly boast that they have read the Bible…and that, they are Christians, too!

When Jesus entered the place of his prophesied judgment and death, he was on a donkey. Today, many church dignitaries cannot go to a certain place without taking a chauffeured luxury car. While some priests are furnished with expensive car by their rich parents, why can’t they refuse such for the sake of their vow of poverty? However, for convenience of mobility when they do their “job”, perhaps, they can opt for a less expensive one so as not to trigger curiosity. Pope Francis has always been calling on his fellow priests to observe utmost humility and simplicity while shepherding their flocks. Unfortunately, only few seemed to have answered his incessant call. Some bishops and priests still drive around in Benzes and cars whose prices are enough to feed a thousand children in one month.

Jesus showed his paramount humility by washing the feet of his disciples. On the other hand, some avowed Christians squirm at the sight of street children and beggars clothed in rags. One morning, while waiting for a ride in front of a big mall, I saw a lady in white churchly dress give a sandwich to a beggar using her fully extended hand to keep her distance, while covering her nose with a handkerchief. When I approached the beggar, I did not smell any revolting odor at all, although he was grimy. The lady obviously attended a morning Mass in the mall as it was a Sunday, and giving a sandwich to a grimy beggar with an fully extended hand while covering her nose, after attending a Mass, was perhaps her “way” to show her being a Christian!

While dying on the cross, Jesus invoked his Father with full humility by asking why he was forsaken. Today, government officials and politicians who are being tried for robbing the government coffer of people’s money, swear to God that they are honest…adding that, they be struck by lightning where they stand if they are telling a lie!...humble, indeed!

Jesus was consistently humble since birth until the time of his death, but we refuse to acknowledge this manifestation….and, today we are paying for such arrogance…by suffering from the onslaught of natural calamities and man-made hostilities!...we just never learn!