Where Filipino politicians’ loyalty belongs

Our elections show we don’t know how to choose our leaders.

Let us be honest with ourselves: we continue electing politicians as “public servants” but they rob us blind when they are in power. Doesn’t it make you wonder why they spend millions just to win? The fact is, hypocrites will do anything just to gain an advantage.

No wonder, elections are an American invention imposed on us via colonization that has made us feel committed to the United States. Funny, we have our own Constitution but remain subservient to the Americans: We give more importance to them than to our own people.  Consider that our Constitution bans US bases within Philippine territory, but now we have President Aquino giving back to the Americans their influence over our country, if not the bases.

Our leaders must wake up to a mistake that may be tantamount to treason. Our own local leaders must realize their own mistakes in contributing to the oppression—by kowtowing to their colonial masters.

Realizing the full extent of the human rights violations that have caused so much loss in lives and properties, will we Filipinos still allow our own leaders to get to positions that will give them the power to get away with their corrupt ways? We can no longer allow ourselves to be fooled! We must fight for our rights. Certainly, we don’t deserve a freedom we can’t protect.

—ERNESTO KELLY MAGTOTO,

Sucat, Parañaque City