Random.Reality.Rants

R.R.R #17

May 9 is coming. Soon new (or not!) faces will become the country's [leaders]. How do I perceive these things?

It's been 6 years since I have come of age to be considered qualified to vote. 4 years since I graduated college.  2 years that i have been working for the government. But I still am NOT A REGISTERED VOTER.

Apart from the obvious fact (for me, admittedly) that I have always been too lazy to do anything that does not directly affect how I go about with my day to day activities, I just couldn't find the right reason and motivation to actually exert effort and think about who should and should not run this country. Not because I do not care one bit. I do. Especially after I started working and realized just how burdensome taxes can be. From an outsider's perspective, it is indeed easier to speculate and think badly of how the current (even previous) administration(s) had been running the Philippines. The University that I graduated from had always been an expert in making most (if not all) government efforts look bad. And so I (partly) blame them for the kind of mentality I have towards government initiatives and public officials.

2 years after I started working under the very institution that I have always been in doubt of, did something change?

Yes. Something. I came into a realization that not everyone in the government is bad. But those that we have always perceived as not so good...actually have the potential of actually being worse!

I understand that working in government (ideally) should put the interest of the people on top of all other considerations, otherwise, we will not call it public service. But mind you, 2 years down the road and you realize just how such ideal perception have been taking into a great degree of misinterpretation.

I don't completely blame the people..or the personalities. Most of them (99%) are probably from well-off families who does not have a single clue of what poverty entails and how hard it is to thrive with only a few pennies in your pocket. Some of them may not have even experienced, even once, riding mass transportation or buy only a few kilos of rice because that is what you can only afford.

But then again, if we want to have a [leader] that is relatable and truly sympathizes with the masses, we probably need someone who is just as normal as everybody else. And by normal, I mean...earning just about an average. But in this country, it is quite a miracle for you to win an election without spending anything.

And money is a devil, as they say. If I am that rich, I would have probably acted the same way. Bitchy. I would have also pretended that I care just so I can grab a hold of power and continuously be provided with no less than premium services and accommodations in anything and everything. Because I am [arrogant] enough to think that I deserve it.

I know. I am rumbling.

But sometimes, even when you're already inside that very definition of [government] and has first hand experience of how the country's most powerful leaders actually run this institution, that certain possibility of hopefully changing your initial perception seems rather futile, still.

Because for every good thing you see, a hundred more bad things unfold.

So what do I think about Duterte? Coming from someone who had directly observed and even served current leaders of this country...

He is a breath of fresh air. 

He may be exaggeratedly tough at times but that is exactly what the country needs to clean up the streets (and the government) of criminals and abusive people who can get away with anything. Do I agree with explicit disregard for human rights by supporting him because of various allegations regarding the notorious DDS? I am not so sure. Killing is wrong. But if by doing so, justice can be given to innocent victims and those who attempt to do wrongful things can have something to fear...then...I might be able to consider.

So what if it's risky?

Just recently, he made another tactless remark about a raped hostage victim. Was it disappointing? Yes. I am a woman and rape is probably the most heinous crime that I will forever detest. And he said it in such an insensitive way, excuses by solid supporters may not suffice to get him out of this pinch this time.

Will this change what I currently stand for? Will I still vote for him (if ever I was registered)?

I look at my options.

DUTERTE: Tough and Tactless

POE: Raw and Reliant 

BINAY: Crooked and Coward

ROXAS: Lousy and Lacking

There's not much to choose from really. What made matters worse is the fact that the media and all other rival candidates took a ride on the bandwagon as well (that's kind of expected already) like vultures carefully and patiently waiting for a damn good meat to fall on their lap (Bon appetite!).

It's sad and disheartening somehow. This time, not because of the rape joke. it was offensive but judging from his character, his foul mouth does not necessarily defines his commitment to public service and safety of his constituents. 

People adore him because he is something else. He is different. He's been mayor for 20 years yet his ways are totally different than that of other politicians (especially those who have been in office for decades...Binay!Hello!)

Pinoy adored him because he truly cares for the people. His line of reasoning are unlike other politicians who only wants to play safe all the time, not making the necessary call needed especially during desperate times. What politicians in this country does is to simply ride on the popular sentiments but delaying the delivery of justice and basic services. TIME AFTER TIME!

Duterte is just like any other ordinary citizens.

He gets angry...and he does something about it.

He throws curses (even punches and bullets) here and there when faced with upsetting situations.

Anybody who commits a crime and tries to reason out with him justifying the deed will surely be castigated.

A modern day Heneral Luna if you will.

When people commend him of how well he governed Davao all these years, he simply answers "I am simply doing my job." He even declines awards for his exemplary performance as Mayor of Davao saying that he's after all being paid to do his job. Has anyone ever done that?

Has any other politician answer that way?

No motherhood statements. No pretensions.

He might be stubborn most of the times and he tends to fight it out (rather than talk it out) when faced with accusations  but I strongly think that that is the very same reason why he was able to make a place like Davao one of the safest cities in the world. A place which is ironically located within the most dangerous island in the Philippines. Can you imagine how in the word can anyone secure the lives and future of hundreds to thousands of people while being constantly surrounded with rebels, militants and terrorists? And he's able to do it or more than 2 decades now!

I am from one of the poorest provinces in the country and I've seen just how passive LGUs can be in terms of delivering what they're supposed to for its people. I have seen just how much those in power tend to show it off to the people, in terms of having the biggest houses, cars, fair skin, never ending vacations here and abroad while the rest of the municipality suffers from unreported killings, starving children, so on and so forth.

I have never believed in the existence of a true leader. For me, they are all the same. They all just want to be seated there...earn everything...while doing nothing.

Now I am introduced to a man who actually knows what he's doing, delivers on his promises, willing to risk his life for his people, says whats on his mind, no pretensions, and sure as hell explicitly expresses his hatred for drug abusers, criminals and corruption...and actually have the political will to really do something about it and not to simply appeal to the masses (for votes!).

Maybe he's too "capabale" (as a politican) to be true that a lot are either scared of having him...or are too pessimistic that he can actually make a difference?