Need Bills, New Senators?

We've just finished another election. I'll be the first to say that, in my circle, we are vastly disappointed with who we now call our new representatives. I'll even go so far as saying that, on a personal level, I did not vote for a single person currently ranked in the 'top 15' for the Senate race.

The advice that I have been getting lately has been to move on, that we should respect the people's will, that we should hold hands and sing Kumbaya, it's time to heal, and we should now fall in line, etc.

Sorry, that's not how I see it.

One of the 'funny' things about how we run our democracy is that it seems to be a one day affair - we vote, we feel empowered for a single day, we claim that our voice matters, but after the results are out, we are supposed to treat these elected officials as demigods, our superiors, and they're supposed to "know better."

Hogwash.

We're supposed to watch them every step of the way, to see if they can deliver what they promised during the period when they were begging for us to choose their names on the ballot. I noticed that many of them had the same motherhood utterances - fight poverty, create jobs, feed every child - as can be expected of sweet talkers.

So, senators, I'be decided to give my input, as to the kind of bills I would like to see deliberated upon, and since I posted this on Facebook, some people have given their inputs as well, which I will now share here.

(Courtesy of jbjennings.com)

(1) A bill that ensures that once elected, a public official is barred from holding another job, in any capacity.

We voted you to do a job - to legislate, to run our cities - but what do we see? Senators who produce and star in movies for the annual filmfest, who see nothing amiss by appearing in a noontime show, pushing products or co-hosting morning talk shows.

What happened to that much touted "backlog" they keep referring to, whenever they are asked why a certain bill is still not being tackled? You are supposed to sit there, day in and out, and argue until the cows come home and decide if a bill should be approved and in what form. Then on to the next bill. And the next. We're not paying you to see your name sa takilya or in the small screen.

Execute, legislate - DO YOUR JOB. If you have time to advertise for nutritional supplements, does that mean the job we entrusted you with is too easy?

(2) A bill that requires journalists, TV personalities, public figures in fields other than politics that have lopsided public exposure to resign from their jobs one year before they file their candidacies.

We've seen it all too often - a matinee idol decides to "cross over" to being a legislator because his star isn't shining that bright anymore, or a newscaster thinks to parlay the daily exposure she gets on a nightly basis into a career as a local executive. It's terribly unfair, especially in a country like ours, where telenovelas and lunch time variety shows reign supreme, a testament to our obsession with flash, not substance. (More on this in a later bill.)

(3) A bill that raises the minimum requirements for a candidate to be considered for public office.

And we need to raise this bar. Drastically. For those who say that it is anti-poor, our government provides for free schooling until high school, and many colleges offer full scholarships for deserving but financially struggling students. These are positions that will affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. Millions of people. This is not the time to scrimp on getting the cream of the crop, to be bashful and say "pwede na yan."

Are we that desperate? As long as they have a "heart to serve" OK na? The way I see it, you do not need a public position to translate your "heart to serve" - but to be imbued with much power and money under one's control, you need to prove yourself credible and trustworthy of such a responsibility.

We need to stop glorifying the least common denominator. If we allow those with the barest minimum of qualifications to lead this country, it doesn't take a genius to know we won't be getting anywhere.

(4) A bill that reverses the oppressive requirements in the workplace.

This is a bill that is the complement of the third one in this list; that is, if our lawmakers refuse to raise the standards for public office, then it's only fair that everyone take their lead.

Why should a small retail shop require its' employees to be college graduates, when the job only requires them to take inventory of the store's products, and we can have senators who don't even know how to file a bill or understand why a corporation has a separate identity all its own, yet be responsible for sweeping changes in our social structures that will affect generations to come?

We might as well take the lead from these "leaders" - OK na ang OJT. And the bill won't even require you to have the surname of an unconstitutional political dynasty.

(5) A bill that bans all telenovelas and all variety shows for a period of one year, after which time, the national IQ will be measured.

You may think this to be a radical proposal, decry it as undemocratic - but what could be more damaging to a democracy than giving the vote to someone who judges a candidate by what character s/he has played in a movie? Even politicians who have never been on the silver screen adopt names from that genre - think of Alfredo "Dirty Harry" Lim, who was just beaten by Joseph "Asiong Salonga" Estrada.

During this time, shows on science, math, literature and the arts will replace what we see on a daily basis.

Of course, when I threw this suggestion out, someone pleaded with me to retain Be Careful With My Heart. Between that and a book series called Twilight, I'm not sure which one would be the lesser evil. So maybe that soap opera has a chance of surviving this bill, after all.

Sharing Your Blessings?

Blessings from on high.

(Courtesy of www.bubblews.com)

I was going through an online thread that was discussing the pictures you see over social media of how many bags one person has purchased, or the latest car or cellular phone they just bought, when a newcomer barged in the thread, obviously miffed at the tone of the discussion, and started "shouting" (which is what writing in capital letters is equivalent to in online communication).

"Bakit? Is it wrong to be happy that my husband bought me a new bag that costs more than a hundred thousand pesos?!? I am just SHARING MY BLESSINGS! Inggit much kayo dito?!? I see NOTHING WRONG with SHARING your blessings with the WORLD!!! God gave us these BLESSINGS and it would be GREEDY of us to hide it from the world!!!"

I'm not sure how to respond to this.

I suppose the first question I have is, was it necessary to parade the price tag of your bag? I imagine that if I went out, to the mall or wherever, and I wore brand new clothes with the price tags still on them, people would be staring at me, not because they would be wowed by the amounts indicated - I don't prioritize spending hard-earned money on clothes, ever - but probably because you're supposed to snip these off before you wear them. (And I would add, more importantly, to wash them before wearing them, which would make the tag unsightly.)

Being happy/grateful for gifts from your spouse is an expected response. I'm just confused how posting it over Instagram is part of being grateful, or how that shows that you "share your blessings."

To my mind, if you really wanted to "share" these wonderful gifts and blessings, you would have (a) given the bag/s to one of the "unfortunate" ones or (b) sold the bag/s and given the cash equivalent to the same "unlucky" ones, or to charity.

The example this woman gave reminds me of a scene from Will and Grace, when Karen and Jack ordered too much food on Christmas Eve in their hotel suite, and Karen thinks out aloud.

Karen: "Jack, we have all this food we haven't touched...when there are people who can't even eat."
Jack: "My God, Karen, you're right...but what can we do?"
Karen: "I know! Let's take a picture of us eating all this food...and show it to them!"
Jack: "Karen, you are like a female Jesus!"

I might be out of touch with how things work over social media, but it seems to me that posting pictures of your material possessions still falls under the "Bragging" column. Whenever I am in doubt, I try to imagine online actions in terms of how they would be translated before Facebook and Twitter.

In my day, people would usually have to hold a party, come down (often on a spiral staircase) wearing their Paris-bought clothes or jewelry, then "casually" show it off to declarations of oohs from the invitees.

Did that sound as silly now as I thought it did, even back then?

Inspired Choices For 2016

Let me be the first to congratulate all the almost-sure winners of the current Magic 12 for the Senate.

I will admit that I did not vote for a single one of them, because I had two basic guidelines in eliminating candidates as "nuisances" - (1) if they are reelectionists, because I believe they already had their chance or (2) if they are part of a political dynasty. As Prof. Solita Monsod pointed out, places where dynasties are entrenched have some of the highest poverty rates. This is aside from it being unconstitutional, and the lack of checks and balances once members of the same clan are in power at the same time, or holding a post in succession.

Based on the winners for this election, I would like to propose that the following "personalities" consider my suggestions in preparation for 2016, another electoral year for our (relatively) young democracy.

(Courtesy of gracepoe.ph)

Grace Poe should waste no time in capitalizing on her performance - not one, not a single one, of the survey firms doing pre-election surveys ever projected her to top the race for the Senate, and she is doing so spectacularly, with at least a million votes ahead of usual topnotcher, senator Loren Legarda, who cried on TV over accusations about her alleged SALN discrepancies. Poe (who wisely dropped her married name) can test the waters if she decides to run for the VP post in 2016. (She can resign from her senate term, which is for 6 years.) Strike while you are number-one hot.

(Courtesy of pinoygigs.com)

As of writing, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao seems to be a shoo-in for reelection as representative, and his wife will also win as vice-governor. It left me wondering why, as a budding dynasty, they let Manny's brother run, instead of their most media-friendly member who is already known nationally, Mommy Dionesia! Her ballroom dancing skills will certainly be at par with other politicians doing the Gangnam, Harlem Shake, or Gentleman, and we all know on-stage dancing is an absolute necessity to be elected in this country. Her frank demeanor will certainly spell Every Person-slash-makamasa, which former President Erap Estrada has fully utilized to endear him to voters. (Not incidentally, he has been proclaimed the new mayor of Manila.) She can just zoom right for the Senate; after all, Nancy Binay did, who is currently ranked number 5 in the Senate race.

(Courtesy of showbiznest.com)

Nancy Binay (who, like Poe, shrewdly discarded her married name) should also capitalize on her newfound popularity. Since her father, current Vice President Jejomar Binay, has made no bones about wanting the country's top post in 2016, she can probably present herself as his running mate, since both have been proven to pull in votes, and both have stated that they are quite alright with political dynasties. (Actually, they didn't need to be asked their stance there, since Nancy's brother looks set to retain his post as mayor of Makati, and sister Abigail has the same fate as representative. There is an obvious "magic" where the Binay brand is concerned.) If she decides to run as VP, she would have to give up her Senate seat, but that's where Nancy's mom can come in, herself a one-time mayor of their bailiwick, to take her vacated Senate slot. That way, they can truly embody the notion that political dynasties - like everything else - are more fun in the Philippines! (A tie up with the Department of Tourism is begging to be conceptualized.)

Senators Trillanes and Honasan look set to keep their positions as senators, so it might be prudent to form a political party based on rebellions, coups and hotel lobby crashers, because their performance means that voters aren't averse to what they did before running for the Senate, it might mean the opposite! A party that has for its basis continuous revolts in various shapes and forms, something that will appeal to those who read it as nationalistic. The opportunity is just there, they should take it.

Buhay has topped the names of party list contenders, and it may be time for them to dismantle that silly constitutional provision that says that the separation of church and state is inviolable. Their current standing in the party list race gives them the "moral right" to do so, if they choose to read it as "people want a theocracy, if they voted us into power." Of course, they will encounter opposition from various sectors who value democracy, but what do they know? Bakit, number one ba sila sa botohan? They can rub that question all the way to 2016, and if that happens, priests, ministers and other religious folk need not resign in order to take part in elections as candidates. No need to field lay people or organizations whose underlying thrust is to advance religious tenets, if theocracy becomes our form of government.

Instead of fighting each other, all scions of political dynasties should form one party. Since we are a country with no real political party based on ideology, you will notice that political dynasties/families form a chunk of the two major "parties" in this election. It seems silly, then, to be on opposite sides of the fence, because no matter which "party" you belong to, as long as you are part of a political dynasty, you are assured of your seat in government. Seriously, for 2016, the Comelec should just identify a candidate as either PD or DC - for Political Dynasty or Disabled Candidate (as in disabled by lack of political funds, insignificant name recall, running on principle/platform). I'm all for keeping things simple.

(Courtesy of roundjuan.com)

The Villar power couple (as of writing, Cynthia Villar was at number 10 in the Senate race) should be proud for being senators at the same time, so for 2016, they should field all their children as senators as well. They can run under a Pro-Family slogan, but this is, of course, in a literal sense, promoting their own family only. What an achievement that would be if they all could sit at the same time, I've never heard of such a thing happening, where parents and all children occupy the same position in government, but they should take it as a challenge! We must let Pinoy Pride be the battle cry to set new heights worldwide - we've conquered singing, now we have to take the world political stage by storm and show them how we do it here!

I used to think that education and citizen empowerment were the keys to having an informed, critical electorate. But having gone through several of these exercises, we seem content in voting the same person, name or family  over and over again, though we do make room for artistas and athletes. Let's short circuit the process because with each election, my fervent hopes for this country keep getting dashed violently, repeatedly, and terminally, against the rocks of apathy, inability to think of the far-future, and mindless entertainment.

In that way, we can all do our nails or take a local trip come election day on 2016. You know, because we already know who will win, anyway.

While I Was Voting: 2013

(Courtesy of mycutegraphics.com)

1. People were setting up the (two) voting booths by 6:15 AM. (I was there by 6:10 AM.) I was also informed that I could vote by 7AM.

2. After grabbing a quick coffee from the convenience store just a few steps away from the clubhouse/gym, I came back to find two separate lines forming.

3. There were no labels what people were lining up for. Nagbabaka-sakali lang, said one person I asked. Great, let's leave everything to chance, haha.

4. I was the 5th person in line for the first line. (From what I remember ever since I started voting, people in my parents' village ALWAYS come here early to do their duty.)

5. We were told that the official list containing qualified voters has not arrived. And the person holding it was supposedly wading in floodwaters to get to where we are. Time check: 7:18 AM.

6. Various know-it-alls trying to suggest this and that, while election officers look helpless and dumbfounded because the lines were starting to snake.

7. Person with official list shows up, looking harassed and all sweaty. It turns out, she had just come from another place to deliver their list, and was also headed elsewhere after our place to deliver another list. Time check: 8:10 AM.

8. Officer in charge acts immobile, unsure whether she should put up the list on boards so people can just check their names, or whether she should entertain those lined up - which she asked everyone to do - on a first come first serve basis. Crowd gets antsy, not knowing why she keeps staring into a little booklet when the list is right in front of her, on the table.

9. Guy officer decides to post the duplicate list on boards, while woman officer stays put. People already lined up have no choice but to ask others in line to hold their place while checking for the correct precinct to line up for. I was in the wrong line, and had to move to the other booth's also lengthy line. Guess some of us early birds were being punished for being too eager to vote - now we had to line up behind those who decided to come in past 8 AM.

10. Woman bellows out that senior citizens get priority in voting. I looked at those who fit that description, and the median age seemed to be 75. This did not help the crowd feel elated. I wonder why.

11. Thankfully, in my line, seniors lined up as they came. I was able to exit the voting booth and saw some people in my original line still waiting to vote because the seniors there kept coming intermittently, holding up the (non seniors) line repeatedly.

12. I was NOT asked to present identification, even though I had my driver's license ready. I also did not have a picture in the official list of voters. While I was in line, only one girl was asked to produce identification; strangely, she had a picture in the list.

13. Since there were only two booths, we had to make do with squeezing in a small space, all 10 of us at a time. There were married couples who entered the booth at the same time.

Married couple 1, husband: Who should I vote for as party list?

Married couple 1, wife: number 135! Buhay party list! Father __________ said that's who we should vote for! Buhay! There! There! (Wife starts furiously pointing where husband should shade. Secrecy folder rendered useless.)

14. Married couple 2, wife: who didn't you vote for senator?

Married couple 2, husband: Don't vote for Pimentel! He had a divorce! No, no, no to divorce!

15. Election officer thinks my finger is a blank canvass, and proceeds to POUR the indelible ink. Liberally. Time check: 9:17 AM.

The Line Should Be Clear

One of the top stories in last night's newscast was that the Iglesia ni Cristo, a religion that is often referred to as "hugely influential" in news reports, has chosen their 12 candidates whom they officially endorse for the Senate in the 2013 mid-term elections. It brought to the forefront something we all know, but refuse to admit, acknowledge, and declare in plain sight.

We don't really have a separation of church and state in this country.

(Courtesy of reknew.org)

My understanding of this relationship - or what should be their relationship - is based on our very own (1987) Constitution.

"The separation of church and state shall be inviolable." (Article 2, Section 6)

"No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights." (Article 3, Section 5)

You can understand, then, my bewilderment, ever since I began being engaged in our political life: the basis for all our laws, the Constitution, has made it patently clear how one should relate to each other.

There should be a separation of church and state, and if you would, kindly read the meaning of the word inviolable - "never to be broken, infringed or dishonored." There will never be a state religion, and the reason is given immediately: because every person should be free to believe in their own chosen deity or belief system. And that is why, in doing our duties expected of citizens of a democratic, secular government (like voting), "no religious test shall be required."

What has been happening, ever since I was old enough to vote, is clearly, and blatantly unconstitutional.

How else can you describe the actions of the INC, and most recently, the Roman Catholic hierarchy, when they tell their followers which candidates to vote for specifically? Is this not subjecting a civic and political act - voting - under a religious test, one which is approved by a religion's "elders?"

How else can you describe candidates - supposedly running for a position in a secular, democratic government - who willingly kneel in front of religious leaders, with the unwritten-but-still-waved-around assumption that such a "blessing" will translate to actual votes in a secular, democratic exercise?

The terms "bloc voting," "command vote," "INC endorsement" and "Catholic vote" are no longer foreign to us, we seem to have accepted them as a given, even when our Constitution states that this should not be happening in the first place.

I am not a lawyer, so I will not try to argue using court decisions or obscure entries in our law books that even law professors hardly remember. But one reason I can use, why this confluence of religion and politics is especially disturbing come election time, is the loss of our individual voice, and why I find it most disrespectful.

Voting is the one time we are all, truly, in its barest sense, equal. One person gets one vote. (No jokes about flying voters.) Rich, poor, disabled, triathlete, obese, model, straight and happy, gay and unhappy, none of those things matter. As long as you are a citizen, you get one vote. It also means you do not have to be Catholic, or INC, or Buddhist, or Muslim, or Protestant, or any of the thousands of other religions out there, in order to vote...what, did you think that there were only 4 or 5 religions?

That is the reason why it should not matter come voting time. There cannot be a tyranny of numbers, that just because most people in this country are Catholic, it should follow that every citizen has no choice but to be compelled to follow Catholic doctrine and teaching - and that is what has already happened, and one sterling example of this would be former Manila mayor Lito Atienza during his stint declaring that public health centers - of a secular, democratic government - will only offer natural family planning methods, as per his belief system, who cares that there are non-Catholics living in his city.

But most of all, the concept of "command voting," where religious leaders tell their followers what to write on election day, gives rise to the assumption that people are incapable of thinking for themselves, and need to be told what to do, who to vote for, where to go, who to marry. Why did we bother setting an age for being legally defined as an adult if we won't even bother making decisions for ourselves? Even parents cannot force their children - ideally, anyway - where to live once they are 18, or in this country's case, now with spouse.

Why are we allowing a few men to dictate the outcome of our elections? (And yes, most of the major religions aren't too excited about the prospects of having "women leaders," hence the usage of the term "men.")

If this country is to move forward, we have to vote for a candidate despite the misgivings of our religious leaders, but if you yourself feel it is the right choice, after considering all factors, then you should be free to choose who it is that your reason and emotion tell you to.

It's time we honored our own minds by standing by our own choices. And let this country's politics be free from religious interference, as mandated by the Constitution.

As it should be.


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UPDATE: As soon as I posted this, a news item appeared in my feed, saying that the INC has NOT yet given its list of candidates to vote for, and you can read the news report here. (It may have been a false alarm, but the use of the word "yet" indicates they intend to come out with such a list, something they have done over the course of several elections.)

My Platform: Pinoy Pride!

Can you think of a better slogan?

(Courtesy of zazzle.com)

Since I plan to be included in this year's lineup of senator-wannabes, I must make sure that my slogan is catchy, appealing and sentimental, and no two words are tagos sa puso (literally, through the heart) as those two, which has become, of late, a common battle cry, both online and IRL (in real life). Why shouldn't I be able to use this in my campaign?

Of course, I can't just stand there and mouth those two words, and "hope for the best" - I have to back it up with proposed programs and concrete actions! Which got me to thinking: what exactly are we most proud of?

Singing comes to mind as one of the things we are known for. Go to any singing contest - and I'm talking worldwide! - and you will always find a singer who is of Filipino blood, descent, citizenship, and who cares if these contestants have lived their entire lives without ever setting foot in our shores, they're OURS! Even when a contest specifies that "only American citizens can vote," we wasted no time is texting our support for American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez, achieving absolutely nothing by way of votes for Jessica, but making the show and the telecom company quite happy.

Therefore, we must focus our meager resources towards the formation of singing schools around the country! If need be, we will use these basketball courts constructed by politicians over the years to prove that they have "done something concrete" (literally) for the land needed for these institutions that will showcase our signature talent! Stop crying, we don't have the height to compete in international basketball tournaments!

There will be a moratorium on televised singing contests, as I will make sure that it is the mandate of the State to gather from the best vocal talents available to send abroad to conquer the world! Tax exemptions will be granted to those families who willingly surrender their child over to the State once their vocal prowess manifests! Singers will likewise be granted the same benefit, as well as housing, disability and various other discounts and exemptions!

Boxing is a sport that we have excelled in for years - although we have suffered some losses lately - and that is why, boxing will be the only sport authorized in all schools! All gymnasiums will be transformed into multiple boxing rings, and if you wish to play another sport, you have the option of being deported! I will make sure that beating someone up becomes socially acceptable - after all, we cheer so much watching our boxers do the same - that all laws regarding beating and violence will be immediately repealed, if I get elected! From this point on, boxing someone will be a perfectly legal way of settling disputes, and betting stations will be legalized for this purpose! Courtrooms will have a mandatory boxing ring, so that justice can be dispensed by way of the fist!

Beauty contests, now there's a category we are also renowned for! To this end, all ladies (who qualify by age and height, and of course, the swimsuit and evening gown competitions) will be taken care by the State! Not one of them must exhibit any trace of fat cells, and will be subjected to state-sponsored purging stations! Similar stations will be put up across the country to attract hopefuls not yet discovered, and what better place than at the malls, where fashion magazines have led millions to go shopping for the clothes advertised on glossies worn by emaciated girls who have been photoshopped and airbrushed more times than I care to count!

They will receive continuous beauty treatments from Belo, Calayan and all other such clinics, until such time that they lose their beauty! Government media stations shall reinforce this opportunity by running ads that highlight the advantages of being pretty: "Without beauty, you are worthless!" sounds like a catchy ad copy. As for the notorious Q and A portion, all academics will focus on formulating answers for every conceivable question. Physicists, chemists, urban planners...all fields will be harnessed with the intention of making sure that our contestants "don't feel any pressure, right now!"

We are known for our laborers: hardworking, fluent in English and incapable of complaints! Therefore, all college courses will be tailored towards what the world labor market needs! Courses that are not in demand will be abolished! Related to this, there will be NO family planning of any kind! Natural, modern, I will not have any of it! We need to produce more and more humans to supply the demands of the entire world! We have been fooled by these politicians, talking about sustainability, economic fitness and what-not, as reasons to plan the number of children a family has. Nonsense! We are talking of the entire world as our job market - it is practically limitless! Produce, produce and produce babies, lots and lots of babies!

It brings me to something we are also known for: hypocrisy! We have government authorities who use the national budget for personal trips, pious politicians who have mistresses by the truckloads, police officers who use their cars to go against a one way road, priests who sire children, murderers, looters and sex offenders in public office! You name it, we've done it all! To maintain this advantage, all hypocrites will be given tax breaks, and a subsidy to perform all acts relating to their particular brand of hypocrisy! Honest citizens who try to live a moral life will be taxed to the highest level, as they give our hypocrisy branding a bad name!

We are also known for natural resources like forests and beaches - if I am elected, I will issue permits to any and all companies that wish to exploit all these! Build more resorts, cut more trees, destroy all ecosystems, as long as we profit from them - and the government gets a huge chunk, of course - you will have my support!

I promise to fulfill each and every one of these programs once I am elected, because I truly believe that with Pinoy Pride leading our path, there is nothing we cannot achieve!

A vote for me is a vote for Pinoy Pride!

(And if you dare write horrible commentaries in the news about my plans and programs, we're also known for what we do to journalists. I'm just saying.)

Subtlety Was Never Kris' Strong Suit

Wallflower.

(Courtesy of philnews.ph)

That is one word that can hardly be associated with television host, perennial endorser and presidential sister Kris Aquino. Since her introduction to the public eye from when she was quite young, she has made no secret about her intentions to become famous - and has proceeded to singularly achieve this goal, up to the present time.

How she traversed this route to celebrity status is cause for much, er, comment. I don't know of anyone (locally) who has regularly paraded her personal affairs in so carefree a manner, that even if you were the least interested person with regards to showbiz, it would be virtually impossible to not have known about how she contracted a sexually transmitted disease, or her predilection for basketball players, and quite recently, the revealing state of her annulment.

Whatever she does, it's loud, out there, and ready for public scrutiny. Or, as some would label more accurately, begging for public scrutiny.

Today, I woke up from a short nap, and found out that Kris has thrown her hat in the political ring. Specifically, she has decided to run for the position of governor, in their home province of Tarlac, come 2016. (You can read more about it here.)

Reading through the news item, she gave a rather revealing statement, one I wish to highlight.

"The incumbent (Tarlac) governor Vic Yap is now running for his last term. He said he would give it to me (to run for)"

I have never heard of such a blatant description of how political clans view these elective positions. And, Kris being Kris, she cannot help but be blunt about it.

For years, we have been trying the delicadeza tack: sounding out to these out-and-out political dynasties about their blatantly unconstitutional stranglehold on their positions, bouncing the same posts to their spouse, mistress, children, uncles/aunts, and even their manicurists, keeping it all "in the family," so to speak.

And for those same number of years, the usual response we get from them is a variation of the same line: "there's no enabling law!" and "let the people decide! It's because they want us!" They have skirted around what many of us have been thinking: ano yan, ipinamamana ang posisyon?

It took someone like Kris to finally, verbally, and specifically, admit that people of her (political) stature view these positions as a given, theirs by some kind of right.

It may be time to change our form of government into a monarchy.

Thank you, Kris, for never being subtle.