WITHOUT Constitutional reforms and without strict applications of election laws, money politics will remain the dominant factor in the 2010 elections in the midst of the economic crisis.

That is, the election will be expensive, fraudulent – with or without automation – and controversial.

Except for the experimental automation, it will be more of the same.

It means that the political scene from 2010 to 2016, unless a Constitutional Convention or Con-Ass intervenes, or a coup attempt succeeds, will remain the same characterized by endemic corruption, political “balimbingism,” Senate intransigence, House-for-sale, “boom-n-bust” business cycles, and burgeoning population growth.

For openers, it is too early to pick the winning horse as many as twelve aspirants have announced their availability for the Presidency but several of whom little is known of their real character, true intentions, and managerial reliability.

Moreover, except perhaps for Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Mar Roxas, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, and Bro. Mike Velarde, the rest will be scrounging for funds or looking for political sugar "daddies," and thereby selling their souls, so to speak, to the company store.

Further, there are only three major sources of funds, i.e. the "Taipans" and Fil-Chinese community most of whom, unless one gets an iron-clad commitment early and before hand, will be taking long, forced, and unwelcomed sabbaticals abroad from Christmas to May, 2010 to avoid being swamped with requests for election contributions. Besides, the Chinese community already suffers from donor fatigue.

The second is the projected national government deficit which is expected to balloon from the conservative budget deficit of R250 billion to anywhere from R500 billion to R839 billion which makes President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the most powerful dispenser of largesse and favors.

The third source of funds, which has encroached itself into the political system and spreading, in the entry of narcotics and illegal gambling (jueteng) which have become an important source of funding.

Second, the 2010 elections will neither bring relief to the economy nor will it engender optimism and hope, notwithstanding the fact that there will be a new President and a new administration under the same traditional mode of politics and politicians.

By 2010, the global financial and economic crisis will still be the major concern of governments all over the world.

The Philippine economy, seemingly not looking as distressed, suffers, and will continue to suffer, from depressed exports, creeping unemployment, declining remittances, relentless population growth, and ballooning budget deficit.

Thus, the disruptive, wasteful, and costly 2010 elections will not alleviate the problems of the nation.

In fact, the post-political situation may actually deteriorate since the systemremains the same as in the past.

When all is said and done, there is little room for optimism in the 2010 election from where we sit today.

As R.A. Butler observed, “In politics you must always keep running with the pack. The moment that you falter and they sense that you are injured, the rest will turn on you like wolves.”

But, where there is life, there is always hope.

You be the judge. (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)