Popularity confused for capability - ROSES AND THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces

If there is a lesson that the masses should learn from the disgraceful collapse of the Estrada administration, it is that popularity and capability are two entirely different things. An entertainer, by the very nature of his task must be a popular figure. But it does not necessarily qualify him for other tasks.

There was a time when senators were senior statesmen. Today, sad to say, any nationally known figure can be senator. The result is the debacle that we all witnessed during the impeachment trial. Senators, then, were not tasked to enact new laws. They had to act as judges. And it was very obvious that the great majority were not prepared for the task. It was not only President Estrada that was exposed by the impeachment trial. It was the senate itself. The senate can only be as good as the senators who have been elected and it was obvious that the people had elected mediocre men to power.

There was a time when political parties had platforms. A politician could not transfer from one party to another without changing his political convictions. Now they can change parties the way they change their shirts. The truth is that today, there are only two parties: Tayo-tayo and kami naman.

Popularity today means mainly media exposure. This became very obvious during the impeachment trial. Still, it is one thing to be exposed as a politician and another to be exposed as an entertainer or a newscaster. This millennium is ushering the information revolution and our media to date has put the emphasis on sex and violence. Media should be in the forefront of that revolution.

The public must be made aware of the great difference between sloganeering and comprehensive national programs for development and nation-building. "Erap Para sa Mahirap" did absolutely nothing for the poor. It consisted merely of cash handouts and distribution of xeroxed land titles. Worst, the jueteng money came from the poor. It was the poor that were exploited to build mansions for mistresses and accumulate billions in the banks.

We have an election in this coming May. We hope that all the groups that were active on People Power II will also be just as active in the May elections. The people must vote for the qualified candidates. The issues should be presented to them clearly. In past elections, it was the candidates who had money to squander that won. It is better to move to prevent unqualified men from being voted into office than to get them out of office after they have been elected. Elections should mean more than just voting candidates to office. It only becomes meaningful when we vote the right men to office. There is no need for People’s Power.

The impeachment trial and its aftermath, People Power II happened recently. But both are major historical events. It has been said that the best thing we derive from history is the enthusiasm it arouses in us. We hope this enthusiasm will be reflected in the coming May elections. Elect only the qualified into office.