There’s something about Filipino politicians

No matter what they say or not care to say, the cause of labor is directly affected by election results. Politics in this country, and perhaps in the US too, and anywhere in the world, whether we like it or not, do create major impact on economic and labor policies. That is why many trade union leaders, including those who are based in Cebu, participate either overtly or covertly in partisan political activities. They either support political parties or oppose them or even better still, they create their own parties, hidden under the surreptitious mantle of the party list system.

What brings these about is the unique nature of Philippine politics, and the distinctive character of Filipino politicians. These guys are not like you or me. They are a rare breed. They belong to the animal kingdom, yes, but they are both amphibious and ambidexterous. Amphibious because they can survive, even prosper under water or on land, or even on air. They can create grandiose opportunities when we, the ordinary mortals only see problems and obstacles. Ambidexterous because they can change positions from rightist to leftist or centrist, depending on which direction the bread is buttered. They can change colors in the name of survival, which is the first and most pressing instinct of any political animal.

Filipino politicians have the gift of forgiveness. They have the tenderness to praise the very same people they maligned last elections. Politics, they would say, is addition, and any vote, even from the devil, is most welcome. There is no principle more important to them than winning. Politicians also have the gift of generosity. That is why they are willing to spend millions. They give anything and support anything from a simple barrio fiesta to a grand convention, from the making of a basketball court to the construction of bridges. Anyway, all these expenses can be recovered in no time at all, via pork barrel and in collaboration with kindhearted contractors and understanding auditors.

Pinoy politicians also have the gift of tongue. They can speak in glowing eloquence with fire in their belly and passion in their body language. They bring the good news of salvation even to the most miserable people. They can create beautiful images in the minds of the people and move them to believe even under most desperate situations.

They have the gift of charisma because they can persuade their mortal enemies to join them as running mates in coalition, even if these new entrants into their party have irreconcilable differences with their most trusted friends. There are no permanent friends nor permanent enemies, only permanent selfishness.  There can be no conflict in party principles and platforms, because they really do not have principles or platform, in the first place. And so, there is nothing to reconcile because every thing is for expediency.

The big fish shall eat the small fry. In the games of dragons, lions and elephants, the mice and the turtles cannot win. In the Philippines today, the brightest and the most pleasing in the eyes of the Lord cannot win any election at all. If Christ were a candidate today, he would be junked by Peter and sold by Judases again. And Barrabas, the bandit, shall win again. For only the good guys do play by the rules. The bad guys are the ones making the rules, and twisting them to suit their own agenda.

In the US, the winner is proclaimed within 24 hours from the close of balloting. In the Philippines, the winner is known 24 hours before elections.  In the US, the loser concedes immediately and appeal to his partisans to support the winner. In the Philippines, there are no losers, only victims of cheating. The Filipino politician is indeed a “sui generis,’’ one of a kind, unique, distinct and a rare breed. But no matter how he got himself elected, by gold, goons or guns, whether he begged stole or borrowed, he is proclaimed over and above all of us and called “honorable.”