“Since a politician never believes what he says, he is surprised when others believe him.” — Charles de Gaulle

With due respect to the late President Corazon Aquino who is revered and honored as the icon who was mainly responsible for restoring democracy to the Philippines after 20 years of Ferdinand Marcos governance, the truth of the matter is that the democracy that was re-installed in 1987, through no fault of President Cory Aquino, was the pre-martial law democracy that has steadily deteriorated, worsened, and decayed since then.

In the last twenty years, the same political system has spawned systemic corruption, fraudulent elections, Congressional gridlock, coup attempts, boom-and-bust business cycles, unbridled population growth, insurgency, Muslim separatism, criminality, “balimbingism,” neo-colonialism, and oligopolies.

Despite these awesome problems and obstacles to progress, it seems that every Tom, Dick, and Harry wants to enter politics and run for public office.

We can only surmised that the grizzled politicians and budding politicians are running for public office either because they have already squirreled away a formidable war chest since elections are becoming increasingly and prohibitively expensive; or for the “fund” of it since many candidates run to make money, and not to win.

It is uncanny and puzzling that many have announced their candidacy despite the fact that there is a growing “donor fatigue”, the Taipans are packing up for extended vacations to avoid being committed and extorted; there is a raging global financial crisis and local economic slowdown; and the national government is operating on mounting deficit spending.

Why the urge to run for public office? That rationale is not “public service” for nobody knows what that meant.

The reasons are: (1) they believe it is their turn to make money and enjoy the CDF, or pork barrel; or (2) their legal term is over, and must now look at another position regardless of the incumbent, or party, or friendship, or loyalty; or for dynastic succession rather than give away the position to outsiders and strangers.

Thus, the debasement of the political system is one of the major legacies of the 1987 Constitutional Commission by restoring the pre-martial democracy and electoral mess.

When all is said and done, the deluge of people announcing their entry and candidacies have greatly cheapened the electoral process since very few can be considered outstanding.

But then, as James Bryce wrote in 1888, “Why great men are not chose Presidents,” the “ordinary voter does not object to mediocrity.”

Hence, the situation in 2010 would have been funny, if it was not only tragic.

You be the judge.

HERE AND THERE

Former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino epitomized the goodness in the Filipino, and the courage of conviction... She is generally credited in bringing back democracy to the Philippines, and pivotal in the overthrow of the Marcos autocracy... May her soul rest in peace and sins forgiven, we shall pray... In the meantime, the City of Baguio has been celebrating its centennial year with year round activities that will peak in September 1, 2009 with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in attendance to inaugurate several centennial projects... It is good to hear too that the Baguio Centennial Commission, chaired by Virgilio Bautista, is drawing up a post-2009 renewal and development master blueprint that will incorporate the five municipalities surrounding Baguio City…..The Plan will address the problems of migration, pollution, tourism, congestion, traffic, water, squatting, education, welfare, and others for future generations... By the way, generally unappreciated by the general public, are the impressive infrastructure achievements of the country’s young city mayors during the incumbency of President Gloria Arroyo regardless of party affiliations, such as, Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga, Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, then Lipa City Mayor Vilma Santos, and political giant killer of Negros Oriental, Bais City Mayor Hector “Tata” Villanueva... They have and others, contributed to the infrastructure accomplishments of the Arroyo administration... Incidentally, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz opined “that the fair price of oil should be $75 per barrel”... At present, it is below $70 per barrel... Abangan... There you are, folks. (For comments and views, please e-mail: chaff_fromthegrain@yahoo.com.ph)