THE RESULTS of the recent elections showed that Filipinos are not yet mature, although growing. Many based their analysis and decisions on what they hear and see, less on what they read, because many are tired of reading. There is more analysis actually when reading.
This resulted in education through media. It is now a powerful tool to build up one’s image, as what actors and actresses do to build up their careers. People now cannot differentiate fiction from half-truths or from truths. Political events are watched like soap operas on prime time. And media would take advantage of political gossip and scoops to make stories more valuable for money. Errors in reporting are justified by icing them with more controversial ones.
This is the “education” that Filipinos have had after Marcos. Democracy was abused like the phenomenon of “people power.” “Will of the majority” is falsely equated with what is “right.”
“People power” is wrongfully used for protest while, in fact, it must be used for reforms. It is easy actually to incite protest but too hard to campaign for reforms given human nature. Politicians would also take advantage of the Filipino attitude of fanaticism as many will follow them blindly because of the image media has made for them. It is not very different from being an actor with many fans (which is actually short for fanatics). No wonder a politician even after tainted with graft and corruption would still have many followers and loyalists. One would not be surprised that even after the evidence presented in the impeachment trial, the PCIJ reports of his properties and “Darth Vader” friends, the well known stock manipulation in the Philippine Stock Exchange, Erap can still gather people at the EDSA Shrine or still win in a snap election, if one is held.
A politician can easily change his position and principles as long as he has many fanatics that will put him in the Senate or presidency. Many have seen how many senatorial candidates have crossed party lines, and ate their principles but still managed to be in the Top 5 of the senatorial lineup. These filthy political tricks were hidden under the rags of issues like “Hello Garci” and election cheating. Another trick of “throwing the garbage on others’ backyard and exposing it” in the form of gossip is being maneuvered to hide behind inefficiency and incompetence. Political sugar-coated media speeches are used to lure fanatics to his side, like courting a lady persuaded with enticing poetry.
Many young opinion-makers and also bloggers would say that what is wrong is the system as a whole but they must realize that the voting public is part of that system.
– Henry Delgado, MD, EMAS Offshore Pte Ltd, Singapore
26 Feedbacks on "‘Will of the majority’ or fanatic votes?"
kst
well said…must agree
river
I agree with you. We have never matured as voters. The results of the recently concluded election show how easily still Filipinos are swayed with what is controversial. I would tell my friends, “Huwag magpaniwala sa mga taong mahilig manira.” Know what? The majority of the Filipinos just did.
Englishman
I entirely concur with your opinion.
I also think the Philippine media of today with the likes of Inquirer and ABS-CBN have become powerful king makers. They manipulate the conduct and result of elections via their biased editorials and news reporting.
It’s a crying shame what is happening to Philippine Democracy. We complain about vote-buying and political dynasty, but the blatantly biased reporting of Inquirer Editors is as muc to blame for eroding real informed voting in your country. I wonder who are these elite owners of newspapers today and how they are linked to political dynasties. It will make interesting study indeed !!!
Oh well. As they say in computer technology GIGO-Garbage In, Garbage Out. That’s what the media has fed to the voters, so you might just as well concede that the election was rigged from the start.
Just my thoughts. I will not be surprised if this comment will not be published.
kinjin anthony
I was almost convinced that Filipino voters are maturing after seeing the results of the senatorial election, which I suspect was a strong statement by the young voters to go for the candidates they perceived as the lesser evils.
At the same time, I could sense more emotions than objectivity in the results(hence I said almost convinced) which I sincerely hope would meet the voters expectations, before they start “swearing” and regretting that they voted for the same rotten politicians whose main objective is to benefit from the unaudited spending in the upper chamber.
God bless us all.
OFW
kitang kita nmn sa election results n mas popular ang mga nanalo.ung laging may exposure sa tv.ung laging may interview.pero khit papano may natutunan na rin ang pinoy dhil ni si richard gomez d nanalo (yipey).
Jas
Sad to say youre absolutely right. Im pretty sure the people voted for people who had a lot of press exposure. and just left out the unknowns.
While it is good to exercise the power to vote, people must realize that “with power comes responsiblity” yeh, its from the spiderman movie but it is 100% true.
Protest rallies almost always conveys one message…that the people who are given power are not doing their responsibility.
Im not barging on the people’s right to have a public demonstration. Its just that, if youre crying out loud that some people arent doing their job for you (and the nation for that matter), you might as well say youre not doing your responsibility either.
Because for whatever its worth, the election is the true form of democracy….Shouting out loud that the government is THE PEOPLE. That the people has the power to shape the government. that with this power comes the greatest national act of responsibility a commoner can do. The people has all the power to choose.
In 1 to 2 years time after the election, will the winners make a difference? or are they just gonna gobble some more press time.
In 1 to 2 years time after the election, will the people be relieved that they made the right choice? Or are they going to go on hunger strike until Mr. X or Ms. Y resigns?
“We had 37 senatorial candidates….did we take a look at all of them???”
Chatter
You may need to revise your article. I cannot render a thorough analysis because paragraghs 1 & 2 do not seem to connect. Kindly review the flow of your thoughts.
Thanks.
Salina
Salina
Dr: Delgado. It doesn’t matter what you say,. We just had a PEOPLE POWER VOTES. JUST TO PROVE THE POINT TO THOSE IN POWER!
lulu
I agree. Media is really a powerful tool. To, me media has reallly squezzed the “Garci” issue, even if for example, there has not been a Senate Committee report that should bring about a formal court case against whoever (I think the opposition had to do with the Garci issue, too.. the espionage case, the tape brought out by an opposition person, etc). Media plays up the issue, kaya the public is conditioned that GMA is “bogus”, there was massive cheating, FPJ won, Erap may be returned to power (after his term has been finished). If these are what is fed to the public by media (specifically the very big and powerful ABS CBN), mananalo nga ang opposition. And of course, the “thinking voters” are outvoted by the masa, kaya lalong talo tayo. I hope the opposition in the Senate will not oppose for the sake of opposing, but to do their fiscalizing job well, with the public (which voted for them anyway) interest foremost.
marius
I agree. Most politicians has been using the media to gain popularity. An adverse effect is what we are seeing now, too much political bickering. Most people like Allan Peter Cayetano and Chiz Escudero has used the media well, presenting issues that cannot be identified as facts and redunduntly employing their accusations that people (masses) will come to believe in them.
Another thing that I would also add is the party list like Bayan Muna,Gabriela, etc, they have been blaming GMA and the military in perpetrating the killings and abductions of their members when they do not have enough evidences to take. I is bias in their part, they should not point to them, obviously the Opposition’s ideas has seeped through their minds.
domingo arong
Our Constitution and laws allow the “person having the highest number of votes� to be proclaimed elected. So, where is the majoritarian popular sovereignty rule there?
Arroyo needed only 39%, Estrada 40%, Ramos 21% of valid votes cast to assume the office of President. How can a mere plurality in these instances be regarded as the expression of “the will of the majority�?
Similarly, since the 12 Senators are to be elected “at large by the qualified voters of the Philippinesâ€Â?–with no provision specifying that each candidate should receive at least 50% of valid votes cast–how can Senators claim to represent “the will of the majorityâ€Â? of the national constituency (or even regional constituency, if Senators are to be chosen by region)?
In fact, current COMELEC and NAMFREL election results (including SWS and Pulse Asia surveys earlier) show only candidate Legarda as having garnered over 50% of valid votes cast.
I think it’s about time Filipinos study a democratic alternative to electoral politics: DEMARCHY at http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/89demarchy.html) or SORTITION at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sortition
Jayson Barlan
The result of the recent national election, so far, is still not an indication that Filipinos are now intellegent in choosing the best candidate for a position.
Because of the many overwhelming events, be it positive or negative, (mostly are negative) that happened in the country, negative news have great impact in the minds of the voting population. It is left to the voters to weigh and decide which reports to believe in. The negative form of advertisements of the Genuine Opposition have great effect in the minds of the people. People felt that they are nowhere to go, and that what’s going on in the present times would push us down more and more — that we have no chance to survive unless we vote for them. Is this really an indication that we used our brains in choosing the best candidate?
It is hard to say that this year’s election result is a by-product of an intelligent decision making. I believe that to test this, is to see the effect. If these politicians will be able to make a difference, a substantial difference, then Congratulations to all of us, we did it right this time.
orly
on the part of the voters simply ther is no choice, and lack of it, what can we expect from them? kung baga sa pagkain kung ano nakahayin syang pagsasaluhan, kaya nga kelangan magpunla, magtanim ng me , maani na pakikinabangan balang araw, sa ngayon its not the will of the majority neither fanatic votes, its the will of the few and powerful politicians and their associates that only looking for their bested intersts. I admire Pimentel before, but instead of changing the trend of political dynasty he’s starting his own, I can’t just imagined what can his son do that he can’t do in the senate, bakit kelangan pa nila mag dalawa dun kung talaga paglilingkod sa bayan ang motibo?
Monday Lessons
I think it’s the will of the majority and at the same time, fanatical vote. You’re right, the Filipino electorate are not yet mature, but they’re going there. The mere fact that three entertainers didn’t make it to the Senate speaks a lot. That would send an uneasy signal to Bong, Lito and Jinggoy to show that they are up for the job as senators, lest next election their legislative record will be scrutinized. Too bad, senators who are outstanding are getting rarer but those who are grandstanding are jampacking its august halls. I’m hopeful the just elected young guns just won’t make empty noise but to craft laws with teeth against corruption, against political dynasties, for election modernization and perhaps a new Charter. There’s just so much to be done.
brice887-New York
Your analysis is quite revealing and heartening at the same time. Could the country still find its true compass and steer into the right direction. A vote does not necessarily mean it is the right one especially that of the majority of the exploited and gullible masses. Heartening because the middle class have not been participating in making its vote heard. I wish for a decent, moderate and popular leader to step up and steer the country right. Our loss, Kapatiran did’nt make it.
salina
brice887-New York
Your analysis is quite revealing and heartening at the same time. Could the country still find its true compass and steer into the right direction. A vote does not necessarily mean it is the right one especially that of the majority of the exploited and gullible masses. Heartening because the middle class have not been participating in making its vote heard. I wish for a decent, moderate and popular leader to step up and steer the country right. Our loss, Kapatiran did’nt make it.
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Fr: Salina
Kapatiran, Loss because the filipino people don’t know them. It just too bad. These people are very smart but they didn’t use their brain properly. No offense,. I’m just telling the truth. They should start from lower house. Thats well give them time to introduce themselves to the filipino people. There’s a saying goes, If you start from the top. When you fail down, You’ll hit hard. Iyan ang na pala nila. They should start from the button. I wish them all the luck in the world. We do need somebody like them to run the country. And hoping they can direct this country in the right direction.
But, I really have doubt on it. Being a doctor thats don’t means you know everything. I know that for the fact.
salina
Monday Lessons
I think it’s the will of the majority and at the same time, fanatical vote. You’re right, the Filipino electorate are not yet mature, but they’re going there. The mere fact that three entertainers didn’t make it to the Senate speaks a lot. That would send an uneasy signal to Bong, Lito and Jinggoy to show that they are up for the job as senators, lest next election their legislative record will be scrutinized. Too bad, senators who are outstanding are getting rarer but those who are grandstanding are jampacking its august halls. I’m hopeful the just elected young guns just won’t make empty noise but to craft laws with teeth against corruption, against political dynasties, for election modernization and perhaps a new Charter. There’s just so much to be done.
*******************
Fr: Salina
There is nothing wrong of movie start entering politic. For as long as they’re qualified for that position.
Putting down these people is not very nice at all. I’m pretty sure these people are more than qualified for their position. I think Jinggoy doing just that.
Just look at Gloria Arroyo, The elites were saying that she’s the only person can run this country better. But look where the philippines economy today. Its very shaky! Don’t be surprise if the Philippines economy will collapse.
Thanks, To her she put the Philippines in the map for being the number one corrupt in asia. Number two for human right violation. Aside from that, Ever since she’s been squatting in malacanyang palace. There is more filipino people are starving. And she have the nerve to say, That her so call economy is booming. If it is true, Why is it there is more filipino people can’t hardly eat, Not even one time a day. Sabihin mo, She’s lying to her teeth. I’ll say, DITCH HER OUT.
salina
orly
on the part of the voters simply ther is no choice, and lack of it, what can we expect from them? kung baga sa pagkain kung ano nakahayin syang pagsasaluhan, kaya nga kelangan magpunla, magtanim ng me , maani na pakikinabangan balang araw, sa ngayon its not the will of the majority neither fanatic votes, its the will of the few and powerful politicians and their associates that only looking for their bested intersts. I admire Pimentel before, but instead of changing the trend of political dynasty he’s starting his own, I can’t just imagined what can his son do that he can’t do in the senate, bakit kelangan pa nila mag dalawa dun kung talaga paglilingkod sa bayan ang motibo?
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Fr: Salina
You’re single out Pimentel’s. They’re not the only dynasty running in office. In fact Gloria Arroyo, Family is all over the place but you’re didn’t even mention about it. Is not only them, check it out for yourself. You’re not being fair to single out father and son Pimentel’s.
I don’t have anything against dynasty for as long as they can do their job they suppose too. PERIOD.
salina
marius
I agree. Most politicians has been using the media to gain popularity. An adverse effect is what we are seeing now, too much political bickering. Most people like Allan Peter Cayetano and Chiz Escudero has used the media well, presenting issues that cannot be identified as facts and redunduntly employing their accusations that people (masses) will come to believe in them.
Another thing that I would also add is the party list like Bayan Muna,Gabriela, etc, they have been blaming GMA and the military in perpetrating the killings and abductions of their members when they do not have enough evidences to take. I is bias in their part, they should not point to them, obviously the Opposition’s ideas has seeped through their minds.
*************
Fr: Salina
The filipino people are blaming Gloria Arroyyo, Because its her job to solve those problem. But, She’s not doing that. In fact she’s cuddling these killer. Its her responsibility as a leader to solve these problem. This is one of the reason why I keep saying that Gloria Arroyo, Don’t deserve to be a leader. Because she’s lacking leadership. The filipino people deserve better. I’LL SAY, DITCH HER OUT.
marius
Salina:
I think GMA is the Commander-in-chief and has been pressuring the military and the police is trying to solve the judicial killings, abduction, etc. But it is difficult to solve a case, when these people will not cooperate for the reason..’why will they cooperate if the people carrying the investigation is directly involved’. Isn’t that prejudice? These cases will never be resolved unless these groups will cooperate,or at least try. If they want justice, they should provide information. The military is still not guilty until proven. The plate numbers can just be circumstancial evidence. Anyone can steal your plate number and use it for a crime.
If she is cuddling these killers, can you prove that?
If she does not have the leadership, will she garner a lot of support from different parties? Will she survive of the allegations against her?
Where is your logic?Or has it been eaten up with your hatred?
orly
I only mention Pimentel coz as I said I admire his principle, integrity as a politician, and actually he is the one i’m considering to be our next pres, but he will be attacked on this dynasty thing, I don’t mention others because I don’t think they have integrity in themselves. Don’t misinterpret me Miss Salina. And I don’t want to write negative things as much as possible for we will not gain from those things. and if you may, for this unsolicited advice don’t get this things so personal and widen our perspective so that we can achiece something good for our contry.
hmmm
salina:
i think it is not proper to blame the president all the time. how can you say that as commander in chief its her responsibility to solve crimes? isn’t it supposed to be the job of the PNP? isn’t it that there are different departments in our government to cater to specific needs of the people? as far as i know running a government is not a one man show.
tanong lang po, kung ikaw po ba ang mauupong presidente ng pilipinas at may pangyayaring ganito malulutas mo ba mag-isa? mapapalago mo ba ang economy? mapapakain ang nagugutom? mabibigyan ng magandang bukas ang kabataan? kung ang sagot mo eh OO aba eh asahan mo ang suporta ko sa eleksiyon.
salina
hmmm
salina:
i think it is not proper to blame the president all the time. how can you say that as commander in chief its her responsibility to solve crimes? isn’t it supposed to be the job of the PNP? isn’t it that there are different departments in our government to cater to specific needs of the people? as far as i know running a government is not a one man show.
tanong lang po, kung ikaw po ba ang mauupong presidente ng pilipinas at may pangyayaring ganito malulutas mo ba mag-isa? mapapalago mo ba ang economy? mapapakain ang nagugutom? mabibigyan ng magandang bukas ang kabataan? kung ang sagot mo eh OO aba eh asahan mo ang suporta ko sa eleksiyon.
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Fr: Salina
You have the nerve to call her President. When we all know in fact that she’s not the duly elected President because she don’t have the mandate from filipino people.
Now, Answer to your question. Its true that running the country is not a one man show. Yes, I agree you have lots of people working for you, Just like running any company. But, You’re responsible on everything. Just like she’s responsible on what’s going on in the philippines because she’s the one squatting in malacanyang palace, As the bugos President.
I hope this answer your question. why can you admitt that Gloria Arroyo, Is the biggest LEMON. If she don’t want to be blame on all the problem’s the philippines is having she should never stole her title from the duly elected President Joseph Estrada. And she stole it again in May 10, 2004. Presidential election from Fernando Poe, Jr. Hindi ba tama ako?
If you have anything else to say, Sige bira! I’ve glad to answer it.
clipmaster
isang tanong kay salina:
sino gustong mong ipalit kay gloria bilang presidente?
Mke
Salina,
It’s very obvious that you are an Erap fanatic. By your own logic then, we should also prosecute Erap for every bribe taken by an MMDA cop during his tenure since he “was the boss”. And even if he was duly elected, his term would be over by now anyway, so he no longer deserves the title “President”. Fact is, no matter what little fanatical hole you hide in, the economy is doing very well now under Gloria. Erap was a joke internationally, and the collapsed stock market, plummeting value of the peso and loss of jobs during his time was a sign of his incompetence. Up to today, his cronies in the senate continue to try to drag the Philippines down, even though they are only hurting the masa that way. Now that the Philippines finally has good cash flow and the new budget has been approved, the masa will feel the difference.
Your thought process is just like that of the uneducated: You expect immediate results. You are incapable of realizing that it takes time for the approved budget to result in projects. You are incapable of realizing the damage that all the pointless grandstanding of opposition politicians has done to the international image of the Philippines. You are incapable of understanding the long-term positive effects of the fiscal reforms taken by GMA. Please dig your head out of whatever fanatical hole you have buried yourself in and try to see the bigger picture.
clipmaster
Fr: Salina
If you have anything else to say, Sige bira! I’ve glad to answer it.
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***** paano mo nasabi na bogus, fake, etc president si gloria?
recognize naman siya ng ibang bansa, may mga state visits pa nga siya. Many people / politicians address her as mrs. president. Nanumpa naman siya bilang presidente.
***** paano mo nasabi na ninakaw niya ang presidency kay erap at poe?
hindi binagbuti ni erap ang kanyang panunungkulan bilang presidente, she practically give it to gloria in a silver plater.
naniwala kasi kayo kay angara at sotto na is poe ang ating pag asa, hinati kayo ng husto kaya talo, eh kung ping at poe noon, sigurado na si ping ang presidente at si poe ang vice.
***** sino ang gusto mong pumalit kay gloria bilang presidente?
baka pareho tayo ng iniisip, eh magkatulungan pa tayo.
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