Political carnival

The recent carnival of wannabe candidates at the Commission on Elections once again exposed all the warts and the boils of Philippine-style politics.

Why should criminals, plunderers, grafters (jailed and on bail) be allowed to run again for the Senate, House of Representatives or local positions? Because they have yet to be convicted? Because they still have not been proven guilty?

Why should political dynasties be allowed to flourish, recycle themselves and continue feeding off from the sweat of workers, farmers, small entrepreneurs and tax-paying Filipinos? Because no Filipino should be disallowed from running for an elective position, no matter their familial connections?

Why should political stooges be allowed to run for the Senate when they cannot comprehend national issues like inflation? When all they can offer as qualification is their loyal servitude to the powers that be? Because there are no laws against unqualified candidates? Or the qualifications are simply too low?

Why allow the party-list system to be prostituted by fake advocacies and candidates? Remember how a president’s son ran as the standard-bearer of a party for security guards? Or how a former spokesperson almost became the standard-bearer for an environment-friendly party?

This month, we are witnessing how our Philippine-style democracy is again being abused, mutilated and feasted on by plunderers, criminals, dynasties and recycled politicians.

We are witnessing how we continue to retrogress, while our Asian neighbors have overtaken us. All because we — you and I — have allowed flawed, corrupt and unprincipled politicians to win, again and again.

When will this vicious cycle end?

DIONISIO GIL JR., Dionisio.gil@gmail.com