Of Pacquiao, Revillame, Salvador, Lapid & Revilla, et al

The best evidence of our political system's desperate bankruptcy is the proliferation of actors, actresses, and comedians dominating our legislative and executive branches, including the local government units. The enactment of laws and their implementations are now being entrusted to some people who never studied law or public administration.

Willy Revillame is a good man. He has helped a lot of people including the women that he loved. But that doesn’t make him prepared for the work of a senator. Philip Salvador is a fine actor. He made many people happy, including Kris Aquino, whom he gifted with a son. He belongs to a famous movie industry clan. But such credentials are not what are needed in the Senate. Lito Lapid is an excellent actor but he hasn’t performed enough in the Philippine Senate. By insisting to remain in the Senate, he effectively eased out the more qualified, the more competent candidates. His popularity isn’t a substitute for competence. The same is true with Bong Revilla. This guy has made politics his family business with his wife and sons all serving the government. What have they done?

Manny Pacquiao is the richest politician, next to the Villars. Of course, he deserves his wealth because he earned all of it. He did not steal money from the government. But the fact that he is a world champion in eight different boxing categories doesn’t make him prepared as a legislator. He hasn’t studied Political Science, much less Political Law and Constitutional Law. He isn’t even familiar with parliamentary rules and procedures. He appears odd when facing such parliamentarians as Chiz Esciudero, Alan Cayetano, and Francis Tolentino. He should aspire for an executive position if he wants to serve but not as a legislator. He is a good person and a good Filipino. But, with due respect, he can’t be a good senator. He should give way to the more competent candidates.

Tito Sotto has been a good public servant but he has served enough and at his age, he should give way to the younger, more dynamic and more progressive legislators. Erwin Tulfo should clarify his citizenship and explain to the people why the Commission on Appointments refused to confirm his appointment as DSWD secretary. He has an important issue to clarify to the Filipino voters. Ben Tulfo should stay away from the Senate and should instead leave Raffy Tulfo alone there. The Tulfos have to explain to the people about their sister’s problem when she was former president Duterte's Tourism secretary and her contract with a TV network which allegedly benefitted her brother.

Vilma Santos must be already in her seventies. She should tell us why she is running again for Batangas governor and why, of all people, she is taking her own son with Edu Manzano, Luis, as her vice governor. She should also explain why she is allowing her other son, Christian with husband Ralph, to run for congressman, when this very young Recto has never experienced having served even as a barangay kagawad. Vilma's husband is already the Finance secretary. Are there no other Filipinos who could serve in their stead? Why are they monopolizing political powers? Vilma had been governor for the longest time, what outstanding achievements could she brag about?

Even Zanjoe Marudo and Nora Aunor are now running as party-list candidates, my God. What is happening to our country? Are we becoming a huge Sampaguita Pictures? Jimmy Bondoc, Marco Gumabao, and Marc Gamboa are joining Arjo Atayde, Lani Mercado, Jolo Revilla, and Richard Gomez in the House of Representatives. Even Ion Perez is running for councilor in Pangasinan? Why don't they invite Vice Ganda to run for mayor of Manila and Boy Abunda as governor of Eastern Samar? Why don't they get Coco Martin to run for mayor of Quezon City, and Jhong Hilario as mayor of Makati? By the way, Bimby's dad, James Yap, is running too in San Juan. My God.

If this is the country that you want, I promise to become a Canadian citizen in 2025. Or to migrate to Burkina Faso or to Ethiopia. This isn’t the nation that Dr. Jose Rizal envisioned and Gat Andres Bonifacio fought and died for. If you guys want to make the Philippines a giant “Batang Quiapo”, “Eat Bulaga”, or “It's Showtime”, I am not going to be a part of this show anymore.