"In societies where Robbing Hoods are treated like a celebrity it is but natural to expect political parties to act like a Mafia syndicate" Political Jaywalker "In a nation where corruption is endemic people tend to confuse due process with aiding and abetting criminals" Political Jaywalker "War doesn't determine who is right, war determines who is left" Bertrand Russell "You have just one flash flood of money, you keep your people poor. It's like a time bomb and it's scary" Philippine Lawmaker

Ang kapatiran banking on Principle, Integrity & Honesty in the 2007 Election

There’s a new player in town, a team unlike the disUnity or the GO between in a game that is tilted to favor the traditional players who has never heard of level playing field and fair play. Unlike the ones who promise you a Super Highway Robbery errr project, Fertilizer Scam errr funds that fattens their pocket instead of the farmers’ crop, or give known big time tax evaders amnesty these team promises nothing but their honesty and credibility. Yes, unlike the old tired shady characters we confused for our leaders and mostly jokers laughing their way to the bank this team offers hope and salvation.

They are subject of ridicule for their shoe string campaign budget whose source of funding this nation has never seen before. A people funded campaign where Jueteng and big business vested interest are off limits in their plunge to do battle against what’s perceived as a formidable opponent whose very weaknesses are their bulging pockets. This is the first step towards participatory democracy wherein the leaders’ loyalties are on the people who supported them through their contributions and word of mouth.

People so used to what’s “normal” are in quandary what in heavens name are they thinking so they say jumping in the muck of the dirtiest game in town with no money is a sure formula for defeat. Yes it maybe if you the electorates allow your good old tired traditional politicians to win but the eventual losers are not this new team of upright gentleman but you the people. How else will the traditional politicians recoup their investments running from P200 million onwards but dipping their dirty hands in the treasury (your own money duh as in you taxes) in the form of un-accountable and un-audited pork barrel? That is just the Pork barrel how about the other perks and the convenience of setting the rules of the game for their businesses and industries and their big vested interest backers of the legitimate and illegitimate kind? Just so we remember here is a timely quote from an article at PCIJ 11/ 6/04 issue titled Pork barrel for politics, not development by Yvonne T. CHUA & Booma. B. CRUZ:

Take that away, ano pang gagawin namin?" asks Compostela Rep. "Way Kurat" Zamora. "Of course, there's the national budget, naming of streets, but saturated na rin ang laws. And I think without that (pork), no one will run.

As one lawmaker notes, "You have just one flashflood of money, you keep your people poor. It's like a time bomb and it's scary.

Despite all these open admission of squandering people’s money and you are still voting and rooting for these trapos then you really deserve each other.

I have listened to the Pod Cast (nak’s did I not tell you folks sometimes you can get lucky and beyond belief found something good in the Philippine newspaper) of the three musketeers errrr candidates of Ang Kapatiran and surely I was impressed. This is nirvana; I can’t believe what I am hearing it is so surreal that I have goose bumps listening particularly to Martin Bautista. In it he cites corruption in the Philippines that has reached the lethal level literally killing our people. A doctor who sees the effects of lethal corruption with his patients would surely see it as morally reprehensible and so should we. Think about it majority of our people in the Philippines are poor and barely surviving not having enough to put food on their table as Bautista mentioned are in dire situation when they get sick, that is just so tragic. In contrast just look at how congress and the office of the president who seems to be on the verge of showdown where no bills seems to pass with so much in fighting and drama that will give soap operas a run for their money. And when it comes to approving their billions upon billions of peso national budget they all of sudden gets kissy kissy as if they were long lost friends seeing each other for the first time.

Vinchu Lapid the membership committee chairman of Ang kapatiran who is gracious enough to entertain my queries and here are some highlights:

Our platform clearly states that we are against the pork barrel - that's where the candidates get their money for elections - so if you do away with that, we start to do away with misplaced campaign spending.

Our platform clearly states that we are against any form of gambling: therefore if we had our way, there will be no more jueteng and PAGCOR from which to draw campaign funds.

Our principles and platform clearly states that we are against a politics based on patronage, therefore if there are voluntary donations from individuals and corporations (which we should publish so people will know); we should make it clear that we do not owe these people any favors, we only owe them the duty to work for the common good.

Yes the strict code of ethics was one reason why we have so few candidates. There were many names mentioned who are even now very good prospects, and have a deep love for country, but they may be living with another woman. Or sometimes, their views on a gun less society are not the same, but the biggest problem is that most incumbents (with the one exception of Joker Arroyo) are they are for the pork barrel.

Let me tell you that our three present candidates were invited to run. Jess Paredes never even thought about it before Nandy Pacheco called him up. And Martin had never heard of us when called to a meeting. They were asked to study the party platform, asked to meet and dialogue with our officers, and asked to go into prayer and discernment and make sure their families and friends would support them in a "cause". We were very careful not to have any candidate with anything that could be said against him or her, no past baggage, no political affiliations in the present government, no questions about their private lives.

Another source that got me excited is Chee Garcia of OFW Net a classmate of Martin Bautista and I quote:

Yes, they may not get that one seat in the May 14 election BUT it is a very good start. We just have to prepare more, strategize how we can wisely allocate the limited resources and get more qualified, well-intentioned people to run. There are so many of them but the amount of resources they perceive they need to shell out becomes quite daunting for them. That's why we need to show them that it can be done. And that's why someone from Kapatiran has to win. That's why I'm fully supporting them. They're a real alternative to TU and GO. We're hoping that this movement will snowball and create a groundswell of support for the non-trapos. And I'm confident that it will. ;-) How's that for positive thinking?

There are so many write ups about them so I will not delve into it for fear of sounding like a broken record and forgive me for just this one that really has drawn me on this Iskolar ng bayan. He has uttered something I have never heard from any candidate before, respect and trust in the goodness of man unlike others who continuously beat the crap out of our Filipinoness. Just for this He has my support and encouragement because a person who respects the sanctity of human life, one who speaks against human rights violation is a person I truly respect. Enough said I am not going to bore you anymore with repetitious blah blah blah just go to their site and read their Platform, the site for the Bio of Martin Bautista, Zosimo Paredes II and Adrian Sison, their Podcast at Inquirer Bautista, Paredes II and Sison.

I am so excited but at the same time there is this sliver of liberal democrat in me that makes me uncomfortable with their catholic centered outlook but as the popular Filipino saying goes “ang taong nagigipit sa patalim man ay kakapit”. Well this is one knife I don’t mind grabbing at least compared to the other alternative of a bloody upheaval who will settle any political difference under the barrel of a gun. This is definitely a safe choice (living life to normal expectancy and not cut short by some numb nut whose brain fell off his index finger) and God centered at that is a better option than the same old trapos. Another good thing about this party is for once we can counter these religious sex errr sects that dictates on their tithing like zombie followers who to vote shamelessly taking advantage of patronage politics at the expense of our suffering people. We should put them in their proper place……. a miniscule minority for what they are has no right whatsoever in dictating the outcome of our electoral process. What about these rumors that there is now a fee to get their blessing, if this is true this is like getting the blessing of the devil for those they blessed seems to be the devil incarnate themselves.

Well, there are challenges and there are challenges but this is the opportune time to rally behind these candidates who may change the way we conduct politics

This talk about garnering votes higher than the squandering trapos in the tail end as a moral victory is defeatist and should be discouraged. We are just in the campaign period, voting has not even started and some supporters are already conditioning their minds and conceding defeat in exchange for a moral victory? In the first place you are in an arena of immoral politicians run by equally immoral operators of the cheating kind so where is the moral there? The point is these candidates are opening the flood gates that signal the start of leveling the political playing field. A level political playing field will of course give rise to genuine leaders with integrity whose interest is to serve their people. Voting and campaigning for these candidates is not enough though we still have to come up with a collective response to this nagging problem of fraudulent election. In order to protect our ballot we need to organize and set aside our differences and focus on what steps we have to undertake to have a clean and honest election. Let us stop making excuses on they are these or that full of motherhood statement blah blah blah nothing but pure hogwash, would you rather let the trapos dictate the outcome of the election or we the people dictating the outcome of this election?

=================================================================

AN APPEAL TO ALL OVERSEAS FILIPINOS


Please allow us to introduce ANG KAPATIRAN, a Comelec registered national political party. It believes that principles and platform must come before candidates. It wants to bring back the teachings of God into the center of politics.

We recently launched a fund campaign to help clean-up politics because among others, we want to do away with the politics of money. People say Ang Kapatiran is a very good party, however, they won’t win because “walang pera yan”.

We believe that our three (3) senatorial candidates should not be burdened with raising their own campaign funds so that they will not have “utang na loob” to those who substantially funded their campaign. This will enable them to act independently for the best interest of the common good. We need funds not only to introduce our candidates but also to create awareness of our Principles and Platform. This will enlighten and guide our voters in their role to actively and wisely participate in this coming and future elections.

It is in this light that we are appealing to all Filipinos here and abroad who believe in the principles and platform of Ang Kapatiran, to contribute and share in the cost of change. Let us prove to the people that our Ang Kapatiran candidates will win because they are supported by Filipinos who care and believe in their cause. Enclosed is a convenient, fast, cost-efficient and safe way to send your contributions to the Philippines.

Your kind and generous financial support at this time will go a long way to start now Ang Kapatiran’s noble advocacy to pave the way for the generation of our grandchildren to eventually live with dignity as human beings in a just society.

Please click on the following to find out:
"HOW TO REMIT YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO ANG KAPATIRAN’S ACCOUNT IN THE PHILIPPINES"


"No man made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because
he thought he could do so little." (Edmund Burke)

10 Speak Out:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the link on mys site. I believe that this new group could make a change for Philippine Nation. Although they are unpopular. But among them I like Dr MArtin.

Unknown said...

Thank you for you comment, yes I agree they may just change the way we conduct our electoral process that may eventually equate to change for the better.

Let's make them popular then, let all bloggers and online Filipino community band together in solidarity push for what they stood for. They stepped up the plate so we the people in the online community at least should set aside whatever difference we have and in solidarity respond to what they have started collectively for the good our nation.

Let us encourage eveyone we know in the physical and online world to campaign and contribute to this noble cause time, money and energy. It may not be much compared to the well oiled trapos but with commited individuals forging ahead on a principled agenda will surely defeat deep pocketed trapos that are despised by majority of our countryman.

pinoy said...

My reaction to Mr. Montelibano's column re "It not about winning".

In his Inquirer column today, Jose Ma. Montelibano described the three Ang Kapatiran candidates as sacrificial lambs. He compared them to the 299 Spartans who "dined in hell". (One returned to tell the story.) But no, we don't need another heroes.

Mr. Montelibano tried very hard to justify the significance of the candidacies of the Martin Bautista, Adrian Sison and Zosino Paredes in spite of being unknowns, "penniless" and without a machinery. He claimed that they are symbols of purity. That the party they represent is the opposite of compromise and corruption. That they are not the lesser evil nor the alternative but the pure and virtuous. But how can we be sure? Should we just take Mr. Montelibano's words as the truth about these candidates and the party they represent? Of course not. Mr. Montelibano is merely expressing his point of view.

What about my point of view? Well, I came to know some of the people behind the Ang Kapatiran. They are indeed very honorable individuals. Their love for country is beyond reproach. But they are just a few. Still, I have a lot of respect to the group as a political party. I believe they mean well and that there is no personal agenda. But I sincerely believe that it is not yet ripe for the party to enter the political arena as I have state in their forum. That's just my point of view.

What about the point of view of the magtataho, the masa? Chances are, their take on this is, sino sila? Elections in our country is always about the person not the platform nor the party. I myself don't even know who these three candidates are or how sincere they are. I am merely taking my cue on the fact that they are Ang Kapatiran members. That is enough to convince me that these three are righteous individuals. But what about the masa? They who have no access to internet and may not even know what a podcast is. What the Kapatiran candidates say are also being parroted by the trapo candidates. So how can the masa tell the difference?

All politicians mouth motherhood statements during campaigns. They all say they will stamp out corruption. They all say that they will create jobs. They all say that they will lead us to our Dream Philippines. But they are all, well most of them, the same after the election. It is personal interest first before the national interest. So how cna the ordinary people tell the difference? It is not enough to tell our people that these three candidates are "saints". Prove themselves first.

But no, they did not take the route of introducing themselves first to our people as who they are as individuals. Instead, they immediately offered themselves as an option and make the people believe that what they say is who they are. The problem with Ang Kapatiran is that it is not capable of seeing things from the point of view of the masses. It does not shed its elitist character but instead magnifies it more.

Now that the candidates are not even appearing in the top 20, Mr. Montelibano tried to justify the wisdom of Ang Kapatiran's entry into the political fray. It will be very, very interesting to see what happens to the party after the counting.

http://iniibigkoangpilipinas.blogspot.com/2007/03/election-is-about-winning.html

Unknown said...

Pinoy,

Let me try to answer the poinst you have raised based on my prior communication with Vinchu:

Ang Kapatiran is a political party that gives importance to party platform than candidates. It is their platform that comes first before their candidates, therefore it is in this regard that the candidates who run under the party have the very same principles, code of ethics (any member who violates their code of ethics and trust of the organization means expulsion) and platform of governance. One of the biggest problem in our electoral system is politics of personality and patronage, if they delve on what you think they should do, then it runs counter to their thrust of platform first before the party.

How will the "masa" understand or even know them you asked, it is up to us and their supporters if we adhere to their principle of changing the way we do politics then we should find a way for the people to understand what this is all about. You will be surprised, the "masa" that some people think are dumb is not as dumb as you think some of them are even smarter than you or any intellectuals with doctored errr doctorates. They know what's going on but they are powerless and helpless because our electoral process is literally owned by a very few ruling minority elite of our country.

On the point that this is not the time for the party to participate, when then is the proper time? This party was in the last election and I was not aware of them until now, so they are doing well for a party that runs on a shoe string budget.

What will happen after the counting is best answered by the party and their candidates. Where will they be after this election if they lost? I believe they have planted the seed in the last election and slowly gaining some momentum in their quest to change the way we do politics. It is up to us to sustain this movement unless we prefer to bitch and complain as usual about our problem with our bulging ego affecting the way we see reality because it is always me, me, me, me what i have to say blah blah blah.

I don't blame you for being cynical I am one of those too or rather most of us are, but the difference here is once you see that they are for real then one must act on it. Remember they are a people funded party and what do you think will happen if they breach the trust of the people who supported them with their meager resources because they believe in them?

What are you waiting for? Just do it and start spreading the message of hope to your "magtataho" and others and we may see the dawning of a new beginning.

CI

pinoy said...

Hi CI,

Our enemy is us, our collective mindset. Ang Kapatiran may say that theirs is a platform based and not personality based political party but at the end of the day, everything boils down to personality. Let us be realistic, there is not an iota of a probability that their candidate will win. Yes they have become sacrificial lambs but is it worth the sacrifice?

Yes, they are for real. I have met some of their members in the flesh. Unfortunately that meeting is about "cracks" within the party but I won't delve on that. They are honorable people. The problem is their mindset. They see things from their perspective. One member, an ex general, however saw things from a different light. His vision is for a party that will capture the imagination of the people. That is what we need, to be able to capture the imagination of the people. If we can do that, then we get their attention. Then they will start listening to what we have to say. Then we can inspire them to change and vote for the right people. Unfortunately, Ang Kapatiran still does things in the old fashion way. In your first comment, you said "let all bloggers and online Filipino community band together....". Napaka elitista ng dating. Please this is nothing personal. Just an observation. It is this kind of mindset that alienates "us" from the ordinary Filipinos.

The political Left has endured for decades because they were able to capture the imagination of the masses, the farmers, the students, the workers, the urban poor, etc. The left organized them from the perspective of their needs. But the organizers are mostly intellectuals, coming from the burgis sector of our society. They became effective because they saw things from the perspective of the masses.

If Ang Kapatiran wants to be effective, it has to introduce itself first to the people outside the electoral process. By immediately plunging in this electoral exercise, it may even be interpreted that they are being "atat" for political power.

But do just what you have to do. I have said my piece. We are on the same side. After this election, the party will need to assess on how it can capitalize on the goodwill the campaign has created for them. On how to sustain the support even after the election. But do what the left has done very effectively, see things from the perspective of the masses. If the Ang Kapatiran can influence the collective psyche of Filipinos, then they can make a difference. If not, then they are just one of them.

Anonymous said...

Dear Pinoy,



I respect your opinion but allow me to react to your post:



1. "Mr. Montelibano tried very hard to justify the significance of the candidacies of the Martin Bautista, Adrian Sison and Zosino Paredes in spite of being unknowns, "penniless" and without a machinery. He claimed that they are symbols of purity. That the party they represent is the opposite of compromise and corruption. That they are not the lesser evil nor the alternative but the pure and virtuous. But how can we be sure? Should we just take Mr. Montelibano's words as the truth about these candidates and the party they represent? …"



We won't find out unless and until they prove themselves … and this can only be done once they're in the Senate.



2. "But I sincerely believe that it is not yet ripe for the party to enter the political arena as I have state in their forum. That's just my point of view."



So, Pinoy, when IS the right time? When else will they get introduced to the voting public?



You and I are lucky … we can afford to eat at least 3 square meals a day, have a roof over our heads, are gainfully employed, have access to health care, have some time to spare to surf bloggers' sites and reply to them in the air-conditioned comfort of our homes, etc. And all through this time, thousands are dying from malnutrition, poor health, poverty. This has been going on for decades and their numbers are increasing daily! Not only that … we are losing the best and the brightest to countries where opportunities for financial security and professional growth (among other things) abound. We can be sure that most of them will choose to stay in their host countries. In the meantime, how about those who have chosen to stay in the homeland? How about those who continue to suffer simply because they don't have what it takes to work abroad? In one study, it was concluded that migration worsens social inequality! Is there a future to look forward to?



Are you and I going to sit idly by to wait for someone / something to rescue our country from the clutches of smugglers, thieves, trapos, unqualified actors, boxers and entertainers?



The future of our country is in OUR hands … not in the hands of the Ang Kapatiran candidates. If we vote for honorable, well-qualified and sincere men, they can serve as our mouthpiece, our representatives in Congress. They can protect the people's interests. How can we be sure? We'll never be sure unless they get elected.



3. " … But what about the masa? They who have no access to internet and may not even know what a podcast is. What the Kapatiran candidates say are also being parroted by the trapo candidates. So how can the masa tell the difference? …"



Pinoy, talk is cheap. From where we sit, it is easy to gripe and to criticize. We know the problems too well. We can rant and rave until we're blue in the face but this doesn't change anything, does it? Let's be more productive by talking about possible solutions.



What I'd like to hear from you is if you were in Ang Kapatiran's situation, how will you let the masa know about your party? Will you, like the others, take the easy way out and accept millions in campaign contributions from individuals, businessmen, and fellow politicians in order to spend millions for advertising (and to buy votes &/or pocket the funds)? In accepting these contributions, there is an implicit agreement that those who have contributed to the winning candidates' coffers will expect payback in the future. Or will you, just like what we are doing right now, think out of the box and start a people-funded campaign? We are aware that this may be a slow process BUT it can be hastened along by you and me ( i.e., if we have the imagination and the will to do so).



You see, in our own little way, we have started to let other people know about Ang Kapatiran. And this includes the masa. By "we" I mean Ang Kapatiran supporters including, but not limited to, students, the academe, professionals, overseas Filipinos and, yes, even those from the clergy! We have started an information dissemination campaign utilizing the media and technology other than the internet, such as texting, to reach the masa. The OFWs have started to text/call their relatives back home to vote for the 3 candidates. Columnists for tabloids have started to write about Ang Kapatiran. The Ang Kapatiran candidates are busy making the rounds of the AM radio & TV stations, in between campaign sorties, so that they can get their platform and candidates known to people and places they won't be able to cover. I have friends who have volunteered to contribute by way of printing and disseminating campaign materials that are worded in Filipino so that even the masa can understand what they're espousing. Perhaps those in the provinces can also translate these materials in their respective dialects. I can go on and on. I'm sure there are other more novel ways to reach the masa, who comprise majority of our voters.



The time is NOW, Pinoy. This should have been done yesterday. But then again, I didn't know too much about them until recently. Let's not be defeatist and negative in our way of thinking and attitude. That's exactly what the trapos want us to do. Let's consolidate our resources and get the message out to as many people as we can. We still have a little over a month left. It ain't over 'til it's over.



It does not help any for us to have a condescending attitude towards the masa. Give them credit, Pinoy. They are not as "intellectually inferior" as many perceive them to be. Have you talked to them? I can say with confidence that a great number of those I have interacted with have more common sense than the "non-masa."



4. " … All politicians mouth motherhood statements during campaigns. They all say they will stamp out corruption. They all say that they will create jobs. They all say that they will lead us to our Dream Philippines. But they are all, well most of them, the same after the election. It is personal interest first before the national interest. So how cna the ordinary people tell the difference? It is not enough to tell our people that these three candidates are "saints". Prove themselves first.



I agree with you. All politicians mouth the same motherhood statements. After all, it is the campaign period. The acid test comes once they're elected. And that's when they can prove themselves. We are all too familiar with the track records of most of the Administration and the Opposition candidates (note that I said "most" --- I'm qualifying that because I have come across a few who have proven themselves worthy of the people's trust). In the end, they promote their own interests.



Will the Ang Kapatiran be any different from them? We won't know, will we … Unless we give them that chance

pinoy said...

Hi cg!

We won't find out unless and until they prove themselves … and this can only be done once they're in the Senate.

If I will use this kind of reasoning, then it really won't matter much if I vote for Cesar Monatano or any other candidate without track record in politics. How would this logic differ from "let's try the artista since the lawyers are doing a bad job" attitude? Simply because there is no better option, anything placed on the table becomes palatable. It' a mindset problem. I have nothing against the three Kapatiran candidates. All I am saying is, hindi pa hinog. Which leads me to your next question.

So, Pinoy, when IS the right time? When else will they get introduced to the voting public?

My formula is GOOD LEADERSHIP + GOOD CITIZENSHIP = DREAM PHILIPPINES. Good leadership is useless if we have bad citizens. It may not even be possible to have good leaders in a condition where most citizens are bad. When majority of our people have become good citizens, then the time will be ripe.

Ang Kapatiran is getting a lot of media exposure. Yet they are at the bottom of the ranks. That merely reflects the kind of citizenship that we have.

Are you and I going to sit idly by to wait for someone / something to rescue our country from the clutches of smugglers, thieves, trapos, unqualified actors, boxers and entertainers?

I am not. There is something brewing. My blog will become the launching pad. I have joined various groups, all wanting to make a difference. But nothing really gets done. So I am taking matters on my own.


The future of our country is in OUR hands … not in the hands of the Ang Kapatiran candidates. If we vote for honorable, well-qualified and sincere men, they can serve as our mouthpiece, our representatives in Congress. They can protect the people's interests. How can we be sure? We'll never be sure unless they get elected.

This is a mindset issue. We can make a difference not only throught the ballot. There's more that we can do. That the question is, are we willing to take that extra step, not just a step but a long journey to help achieve our DREAM PHILIPPINES. Are we willing to make personal sacrifices to advance a cause? Are we brave enough to face the challenges outside the comforts of our environ? No, the ballot is not yet the answer.

Pinoy, talk is cheap. From where we sit, it is easy to gripe and to criticize. We know the problems too well. We can rant and rave until we're blue in the face but this doesn't change anything, does it? Let's be more productive by talking about possible solutions.

Yes, talk is cheap. I am past that stage. So are you willing to take that extra mile outside casting your ballot which essentially is futile?


Or will you, just like what we are doing right now, think out of the box and start a people-funded campaign? We are aware that this may be a slow process BUT it can be hastened along by you and me ( i.e., if we have the imagination and the will to do so).


Now we are talking. You may want to visit my blog iniibigkoangpilipinas.blogspot.com.

You see, in our own little way...

This kind of attitude contributes to our problems. Instead of helping ease our situation, it helps perpetuate the culture of mediocrity. Why little things? Can't we do big things? Why one at a time if we can influence the collective mindset? If we use our imagination and be more creative, there are a lot of things that we can do, not just small things. Unfortunately, the mindset of the thinking class is about the little things. There is no attempt to capture the imagination of the ordinary people. Ang Kapatiran is not even trying to capture the imagination of the people. It's more of "this is us, take it or leave it." Yes, you can reach the masa through leaftlets and other paraphernalia. But have you captured their imagination? Far, far from it.

It does not help any for us to have a condescending attitude towards the masa. Give them credit, Pinoy. They are not as "intellectually inferior" as many perceive them to be. Have you talked to them? I can say with confidence that a great number of those I have interacted with have more common sense than the "non-masa."

No, I will not give them the credit. Sa looban ako nakatira. Paggising ko sa umaga, yung mga nakatambay, red horse na ang hawak. Yung mga mrs. kumpulan na for the latest tsismis. Unang maririnig mo sa umaga, yung nagmumurang nanay o kaya naman yung kumakanta ng videoke. I live with them. I breathe the air they breath. I doubt if they even know what Ang Kapatiran is more so who its candidates are. Hwag tayong mag ilusyon. Our people are essentially bad citizens that is why we have bad leadership.

The acid test comes once they're elected. And that's when they can prove themselves.

Leadership is not only about getting one's self elected. I have already floated the idea of Tony Meloto for President in 2010. I know he is a reluctant candidate but he has already proven himself outside the political arena.

Jesse Robredo of Naga City is an excellent candidate in the Senate. He has proven himself as a good politician and so is Grace Padaca. I personally wouldn't mind Bayani Fernando. I like his "out of the box" attitude. These people already have something to show for.

I know the three Kapatiran candidates are honorable individuals. But do they have the capacity to lead, to inspire? Can't they prove their worth outside the electoral process? Should they be elected first before they can show their worth?

Will the Ang Kapatiran be any different from them? We won't know, will we … Unless we give them that chance

I can fully understand the passion of the Ang Kapatiran supporters. In the absence of a better choice, Ang Kapatiran becomes the only viable option. Just like many of us, there is so much frustration among Kapatiran supporters on the state of our nation. By supporting the cause of Ang Kapatiran, we tend to believe that we do our share in doing something for our country. But this is not just about doing something, this is about doing it right. I may be wrong but I sincerely believe, our people are not yet ready for the kind of politics that Ang Kapatiran offers. The time is not yet ripe. Hilaw pa. It is just that because of our frustrations, we are too eager to do something. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. There is not an iota of a chance for Ang Kapatiran to gain a seat in the Senate. Which brings me back to Mr. Montelibano's column where he said it is not about winning. He tried very hard to defend a lost cause. Sayang.

The immediate task is to prepare our people to embrace Ang Kapatiran. It is not just something you put on the table and make them it eat. You have to condition their mind. You need to influence their mindset. To the extreme, utuin sila kung kailangan. How? I am cooking something. Want to taste?

Unknown said...

Pinoy,

Therein lies the problem, here you have 3 brave souls who stepped up the plate and you wander the electoral future of 2010. Get off the time machine, stay put in the present reality and focus on these three and not on those who are not even running in this election, susmaryopes hindi ka nga maiintidahan ng nga mag tataho mo niyan, lol.

Anyway, calling on the bloggers to come up with collective response is not elitist, in your neighborhood it propbably is because these politicians have reduced majority of the people to poverty thus unlike where I am at, blogging is a tool for the common masses.

Just go do what you think you believe what needs to be done just make sure you don't shoot your foot in the process or team kapatiran's, they need all the encouragement and support they can get right now....... unless you are rooting for the trapos then... there is really no point in this dialouge.

pinoy said...

CI,

Therein lies the problem, here you have 3 brave souls who stepped up the plate and you wander the electoral future of 2010. Get off the time machine, stay put in the present reality and focus on these three and not on those who are not even running in this election, susmaryopes hindi ka nga maiintidahan ng nga mag tataho mo niyan, lol.

your sarcasm won't help your cause. i am just being realistic. there no way this three can win this election. that's all i am saying. it's all a waste. yes, their intentions are noble but intentions are not enough to solve our woes. we must be able to connect. but they are just too eager, atat ika nga.

Anyway, calling on the bloggers to come up with collective response is not elitist, in your neighborhood it propbably is because these politicians have reduced majority of the people to poverty thus unlike where I am at, blogging is a tool for the common masses.

Where you are is not our reality. It's not surprising you can't see things from the perspective of the ordinary people. You are blinded by your emotions, your frustrations. Blogging is an elite activity here. Face it.


Just go do what you think you believe what needs to be done just make sure you don't shoot your foot in the process or team kapatiran's, they need all the encouragement and support they can get right now....... unless you are rooting for the trapos then... there is really no point in this dialouge.

Mine are simply criticisms, constructive I would say. It is very insulting for you to say that I am rooting for trapos. They are our number one enemies but we are not yet ready to fight their battle. We need to prepare for it and Ang Kapatiran is far, far from being ready. Just because I don't agree with the strategy, it doesn't mean I am your enemy. Keep your feet on the ground. It will give you a better perspective.

Unknown said...

Thank you Pinoy for showing your true color......... a man's intelligence indeed is measured by his temper, lol.

They are not ready is your opinion, just keep it to yourself, go back in the year 2010 then you can nominate your "presidential" candidates.

In the meantime this is my blog go do your thing in your own blog..... shooo go away, we are busy in this election that is just days away while yours is years away, lol.

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