by Harvey S. Keh
Contributor
JUST a few weeks ago, I listened to a National Situationer report given by the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), the socio-political arm of the Jesuits here in the Philippines.
SLB is known to be one of the most credible institutions who can give an honest to goodness analysis of what is the real state of our country and in their report they emphasized the following:
a.) Yes, the country’s economy continues to grow and, in fact, we have one of the highest growth rates in Asia. However, despite the economic growth, more than 25 million Filipinos continue to languish in poverty.
b.) 62 percent of Filipinos actually die without even having the chance to be seen by a healthcare professional. To make things worse, medicine prices are 5 to 45 times higher here in our country compared to other countries in Asia like Thailand, Pakistan and India.
c.) 3.7 million families continue to be homeless in our country despite efforts being done by non-profit organizations, such as Gawad Kalinga.
d.) P1.2 trillion had been lost to corruption in the last 5 years.
e.) Out of 10 Filipino students who enter Grade 1, less than 2 will be able to finish College.
f.) The brain drain continues in our country as 121 Filipinos leave the country every hour. By the end of this year, we can expect that there will be approximately 8.5 million Filipinos abroad.
These sad realities made me discern the reason why we continue to remain a poor country, despite the fact that we have such a beautiful country blessed with the brightest people in the world. Is it because many of our best people choose to work and live abroad?
Was Conrado De Quiros correct when he mentioned in one of his columns that the middle and upper classes of our country couldn’t care less about what happens because we always have an escape hatch of migrating and living abroad when all else fails in the Philippines? I don’t think that these are entirely correct assumptions since I continue to believe that majority of Filipinos still want to see genuine change and reforms in our country.
Many Filipinos living and working abroad whom I have talked to and corresponded with via email still continue to hope and dream that they will one day be able to come back and live in a Philippines that can provide them and their families with the right opportunities to live a just and prosperous life.
In the end, I think everyone will agree with me that one of the major reasons why we are here is the fact that we continue to elect poor leaders who would rather protect vested interests of their own families and those that have supported them in the last elections.
It’s depressing to note that the reality of Philippine politics is that a good, competent and decent person cannot be elected to power if she or he doesn’t have millions of pesos to use in the campaign.
Of course, we have already seen some exceptions to this “rule,” in the persons of Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio, Isabela Governor Grace Padaca and Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo. All three have clashed with moneyed and well-entrenched political dynasties and have come out victorious. But their victories remain only at the local level and it seems that we will need a more herculean effort to finally elect a President that will not become beholden to a few individuals, interests and families.
According to some friends who have had experience in being part of a national campaign, they say that you need at least P1 billion to have a chance at the Presidency.
Is it impossible then to elect a President that will not become beholden to a few wealthy families and will genuinely serve the interests of Juan dela Cruz?
I don’t think so but if we want that to happen, we should all make that happen starting with the growing Filipino middle class who are mostly living and working abroad.
Imagine if every single Filipino living and working overseas will pledge to donate at least $5 each to support an upright, ethical and God-fearing candidate who has a proven track record in public service, then that would amount to $42,500,000 or a whooping P1.9 billion!
This candidate could then have a fighting chance of being our next President and if she or he wins, she or he can govern properly without being beholden to a few people and their vested interests. As soon as we have enough pledges from Filipinos all over the world, we can then do something similar to a primary process to select the right person whom we can all support.
I propose this idea to every Filipino working or living overseas who still dreams of a new Philippines. I think it’s time that we all invest in choosing the right President for our country. We have less than two years to go before the 2010 National election. Thus the time to act is now. The power to choose our next President should not be in the hands of a few but rather it should be with each and every Filipino.
If you believe in this idea and proposal, please send me an email at harveykeh@gmail.com so we can work together in choosing the right leader for our country who will run a government that will genuinely work towards promoting the common good.
Harvey Keh is Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government, and is also the Executive Director of AHON Foundation, a non-profit organization that builds public elementary school libraries all over the Philippines. Harvey also teaches Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University-Loyola Schools.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:29 am
More power to you! Indeed an excellent active step. I did e-mail your article to my friends to get more support
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I definitely support the idea. What ever is good for the Philippines, you can count on me to rally behind it. I will be forwarding a copy of this to each and everyone of my friends here abroad.
We really need a change in our political system where-in a good man cannot win without that big amount of money. I do believe if the majority of the Filipinos will support the idea, financial matters may become irrelevant for a candidate to win.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Great Idea but who will be the OFW’s candidate? with (Ethical and God-fearing candidate who has a proven track record in public service). Vic P. is right start at local & campaign for the wise voting with the OFW’s & their family.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Mr Keh,
This is a good idea. $5 is not as big amount for Filipinos working abroad you can count on me. But there are some ideas that I can share or something like a wake up call to all Filipinos. I’m not too good in English but I can express wisely what I have seen the real picture of the Philippines.
Before I gone abroad I was an ordinary employee as an Engineer working in a multimillion company in Philippines. You know in a personal daily life working from Monday to Friday, wake up at 5am to be not late at 8:30 am of office hours went back home at 8:00 pm seems I did not mind what really is in our country because of course I can sustain my family and I don’t mind what happenings as long as I can feed my siblings. But opportunity comes so I go abroad and my income is much higher or almost 10x in my Philippine salary.
Now, working abroad is not only earning much but also can enhance the growth of mind in every Filipino. As an OFW we can compare the Philippines to other nations in terms of infrastructure, discipline, way of the governance, politics, cultures, socio-economics, orderliness, zoning, waste materials management, and many others ,etc. I am almost 7 years here in one of the most ASEAN countries. I don’t want to mention it. But really I can compare and magnify our mother land, I pity Philippines. We are now the number 1 corrupt nation among the ASEAN countries and top 10 among the world most corrupt nations. Imagine, working abroad dealing with other races, ethnics, other cultures are very shame on them because what they think if they know that you are Filipino? “Do not deal much of them they have a blood of corruption”. I did not here that but it is just comes to my mind, you see we are number 1 corrupt nation, what do you think of other nations think of us? It is very shameful. Other countries also have that problem corruption but they can manage it by doing the people and nation first before their pocket. I am not a politician here in this country where I am working but I am one of the observer, besides you can see their nation is going up. What happen in the Philippines is (especially politicians), “My (referring to politicians) pocket first before the people and nation”. There are a lot of projects being corrupted by our beloved government officials, no need to mention all of those projects everybody knows it and thanks to our media they are really a big help. Because if they don’t exist, wow our country will be worst than like some African countries. Why? They (politicians) even more doing that (corruptions) because no one is highlighting it or broadcasting it. I don’t want to talk too much of it, all what we can do is to pray for our nation.
Psalms 85:12 says “The Lord will make us prosperous, and our land will produce rich harvests”, If we put our trust in God.
Jeremiah 17:7 – I will bless the person who puts his trust in Me.
Ladies and Gentlemen do not be angry with me I am not a priest nor a pastor. Can you imagine, how many OFW now around the world is about 8.5 millions meaning 8.5 millions a day are praying and calling to our God for the restoration and healing of our beloved homeland.
My fellow OFW let us pray for our nation and do not lost our hopes because someday will be coming back to our homeland whatever it takes.
thanks.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
I am an OFW but I have to disagree with your idea no matter how good the intention is. To spend a whooping 1.9 billion pesos for a candidate hoping that if he wins he will govern properly because he is not beholden to anyone is plain wishful thinking. It sounds nice but it’s a very very long shot. I would favor a direct approach to helping our impoverished kababayans. Imagine doubling the amount you suggested and making it as seed capital for a bank that will give microfinancing to the urban poors and the farmers. The benefits will be direct and many lives will be changed.