Politics: Root of many things evil

In its assessment of the current Philippine situation, the Economic Intelligence Unit, the prestigious think-tank group headed by Peter Wallace, a longtime resident of our country, threw the question, "Does the Philippine have a chance?" In its listing of factors that provide an answer to the question, politics is listed down as No. 1 behind the Philippines’ possible failure to give a YES to that question.

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The EIU’s analysis of Philippine politics and politicians is a shocking eye-opener and provides food for thought. Here are highlights of what Peter Wallace’s and the EIU paper say on this factor:

* Politics is at the heart of the problem. There are notable exceptions but, in the main, Philippine politicians are driven by their own agendas. Just one small example. We are proud that there were only two deaths during the May 1 rebellion. But there were close to 100 deaths related to the elections! No developed democracy kills its opponents just to gain a position of power. If the killers (those who masterminded the assassinations) go to jail, the culture starts to change for the good. And too many of them are elected into power for no other reason but they are popular.

* Martial law, seven coup d’etat attempts, the recent rebellion are just the more extreme examples of wanting personal power regardless of what’s good for the nation. Running for office when you are extremely untrained to handle it (as Mr. Estrada highlighted) is another example.

* The millions of pesos spent and cheating that were repeated in the recent elections are actions of people desperate for power, not actions of people genuinely wishing to serve. No society is perfect in this regard, but the Philippines is at the bottom end of the scale.

* No business would put an inexperienced, poorly educated person in charge of a company. Yet, too many cities and regions, which are at least as complicated as a corporation to run, are run by people without adequate experience or training. And the low government pay ensures most of their support staff is mediocre capability.

* Politicians, if they seriously care about their country, need to start considering what is best for the country, not what is best for them. And Filipinos have to vote more wisely and demand honesty and competence from their leaders. Two facts that are confirmed: first, by EDSA 2 (the result of not voting wisely), and second, by the recent rebellion (power-hungry politicians uncaring about what impact their actions have on the country)

* Education is probably the basic solution. In three ways: first, if everyone is educated, then those elected will be part of the educated lot; second, an educated populace will be more aware of the issues and vote more wisely; third, it provides social mobility as President Diosdado Macapagal so well demonstrated, rising from being a farmer to president of the country.

* On top of it all, there is need to clean up the political system by charging and convicting – and jailing, those guilty of illegal activities.

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According to the EIU, the Philippines averaged a GDP growth rate of 3.1 percent over the past 25 years. The best it ever did was eight percent, and only for one year (1976). From time to time, it hid five percent, but could not sustain it. Political crises were the main "pull-down" factor, but so, too, were the economy’s structural and physical weaknesses.

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Other countries have done much better than the Philippines, said the EIU. And it cited the 25-year average GDP growth of the following selected Asian countries:

China, 9.7 percent

Korea, 7.8 percent

Singapore, 7.7 percent

Malaysia, 6.8 percent

Thailand, 6.5 percent

Indonesia, 5.4 percent

Philippines, 3.1 percent

It is noteworthy that some of these countries have hit nine percent averages for up to nine years. Even during the Asian financial crisis, most did better than the Philippines’ 25-year average.

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Calculating from a base of 100 in 1976, the statistics will show that China has grown five times more than the Philippines. Thailand has grown at least two times more. And on a per capita basis, the Chinese have become seven times richer than Filipinos, and the Thais three times.

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These are sad statistics. Now, back to EIU’s question: "Does the Philippines have a chance?" It all depends on whether we as a people will ever be able to unite – "one people, one nation" – and consecrate ourselves sincerely to the best interest of our country.

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PULSEBEAT: A Filipino worker based in Singapore conveyed to me his observation that the Philippine Embassy in Singapore does not strictly observe office hours. The business hours posted are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., yet many staff members begin working only at 10 a.m. … Duane Brockman, based in Chicago, Illinois, USA, a friend of PR man Danny Gozo, wrote to ask how he could get a copy of my book, "Walking Through the Pathways of Life." For Duane’s information, the book is distributed by the National Book Store branches in the Philippines or can be obtained at Unit 1-B RM Arcade, 80 R. Magsaysay Blvd., Quezon City, telephone numbers 716-1399 and 716-1499. The book cannot be sent to foreign lands by freight because of the prohibitive cost of postal mail. Probably, if there is someone traveling the Chicago, he or she may be willing to hand carry a copy of the book for Duane.

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Thoughts For Today:

God has ways to inspire you when you feel down,

to encourage you when you feel the quitting,

and guide you when things become confusing…

He will never leave you alone!

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A morning meal will make us full,

a morning hello will make us smile,

but a morning prayer will make our day complete…

Have a blessed day!

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My e-mail addresses: <[email protected]> and <[email protected]>