Counting Potatoes

Controversial Views on Philippine Politics: The Real Stand of Pinoys on Corruption

Damn the politicians and corruption..

If there's one thing that most Filipinos agree on, it's the statement or variations of the statement above. It sounds right, feels right when you say it and gives you that warm feeling of goodness when used as an expletive or opinion during appropriate moments.

But take out the machismo, take out the bark, take out the cool indignation and self righteousness such statements accompanies and what do you have? Dig a little deeper beneath the words spoken and what do most pinoys really feel about corruption and dirty politicians?

1. A poor family amidst a poor rural neighborhood found their lives improving through hard work and integrity. They've earned enough to construct a sturdy house and buy a scooter through installment. Moreover, their integrity earned them a tricycle from their former employer and a position as a business partner from their new one. On all accounts, their lives are definitely improving.

This story however is not about them, it is about their neighbors who have suddenly grown cold and have started gossiping about them behind their backs. Success of this family suddenly became an outcome of pure simple luck and no work, integrity misinterpreted as pride and helping other less fortunate a responsibility not a matter of choice in their neighbors' minds.

These neighbors gripe about the lack of luck in their own lives without realizing the integrity it requires. They mutter about the sturdy house, scooter and tricycle as if they deserve it more all the while sitting all day on their asses, working sloppily on their jobs and filching the first thing they could get away with.

But when asked, these same people would rail against corruption as if its the prime cause behind their poverty.. Acting as if they could do better with their crab mentality attitude given the same political position.

2. A poor baranggay was lucky enough to be chosen as the location for a college's annual outreach program. Rather than use the help as a stepping stone to a better life however, the people have grown quite accustomed to the free food, medication and groceries that the students bring yearly.

In fact, these people have even developed an outlook that its their God given right to be helped to the point of becoming angry at students who forgot to bring along freebies. After such activities, these same people would then proceed to spend the alms they receive through drinking, gambling and merry making, going broke just in time for the next outreach program to begin.

Sometimes you'll even see some of these people crying on TV, raging against the injustice and the corruption in our system. Pitiful they might be but how can justice be justice and how can there be an end to corruption if they expect to live through the efforts of others and achieve success without lifting a finger?

3. A taxi driver is complaining about the graft and corruption in our government and how these are keeping poor people poor in our country. He rages against the scandals, missing funds and convoluted bureaucracy red tape everywhere in our government.

When asked how he renewed his taxi franchise and driver's license this year, he replies that it was easily done through a fixer. Why does he complain about a system that he himself feeds?Why complain about corrupt politicians when he himself contributes to making them so?

4. A barrangay captain candidate makes up his mind not to give dole outs and money during the campaign. Relying instead on his integrity and desire to really help to win the position. Lost against a contender who was giving out money left and right.

In another barrangay, people were flocking to a candidate giving out goods that were supposed to be relief goods for typhoon victims a year ago. And yet, in another one, whole families were making their pilgrimage towards a politician's house because of a rumor that the candidate was actively buying votes.

Why do we sell our votes for pennies then complain about the lack of principled politicians? Why complain about the lack of jobs, education, government support, opportunities and other things when we vote based on cinema appeal, amount of dole outs and popularity instead of the things that matter? Why fight for our rights when we cant even make good on our responsibility to vote wisely?

5. Government employee rails against the low wages, delayed payments and corruption going on at the highest levels of her department. Spits the word corruption as if it is the most despicable thing on earth.

Huddles with office mates around newly delivered office supplies. Takes home a rim of coupon bond, a set of pencils, permanent markers and other things the children can use at school.harmless?

These little things are precisely what make bigger corruption possible. A sack of fertilizer here, an illegal electrical connection there or some detergents from the office restroom make us just as guilty as the most corrupt of them.

6. Parent cries against the lack of government subsidy and the increase of college tuition fees. Parent is mad against the rampant corruption in the department of education, the overpriced computer units, the substandard textbooks, etc.And yet, same parent doesn't hesitate to use contacts, relatives and padrinos in government offices to secure a position for her son or daughter after graduation.

We rail against corruption when it doesn't work for us and yet we're proud of ourselves whenever we're able to use the system to our advantage. Our president promises to eradicate it and we laugh at her, our senators grandstand and make flowery speeches against it and we scoff at them. We should scoff at ourselves and answer honestly if we are really willing to pay the price for the complete eradication of corruption..

Are we willing to stand in line and wait our turn? Are we willing to take our chances along with the rest when it comes to job applications? No shortcuts, no cheats?Are we ready to give up the perks of getting away easily when caught violating traffic rules? Are we ready for discipline and transparency?

Our right for corrupt free governance comes with a hefty responsibility. To look beyond the superficial and immediate benefits when choosing our politicians. To forgo shortcuts and cheats when it comes to following procedures, rules and regulations. To earn our keep instead of relying on freebies the government cannot really afford.

If you think about it, if you interpret the deeds instead of just listening to mere words, most pinoys dont want corruption gone,they just want a bigger slice of it. Shame on us pinoys for being hypocrites.

	Controversial Views on Philippine Politics: The Real Stand of Pinoys on Corruption