PHILIPPINE DEMOCRACY: When Everybody Talks and Nobody Thinks

PHILIPPINE DEMOCRACY:When Everybody Talks and Nobody Thinks

    I used to think ‘EMPIRICISM’ was a method of governance; as a democracy, monarchy, or socialism; and that a country under this idealism was ruled by an emperor. When I became aware of its lexical definition; I related it to the term “trial and error”. To the present day, since I had become aware of it in the mid-1980’s; I notice how the Filipino people continuously practice this method of satiating themselves of their never-ending, and futile, search for the perfect leader of their nation.

    Ferdinand Marcos was in his tenure as head-of-state when I was born in 1971. The public was not at all pleased with how successfully he remained in power for two decades, in spite of his stern and somewhat fascist manner of holding sway over the country. In 1986, Corazon Aquino unseated him via the support and romantic enthusiasm of the masses which was eventually termed “People Power”; only to be called a “puppet” of the United States with regards to the topic of bases ensconced in strategic regions of the country. Her term ended and was replaced by a celebrity-turned-politician who the people (again) put in power; most likely to emulate the accomplishment of Ronald Reagan. Joseph “Erap” Estrada failed to live up to the nation’s expectations; and was overthrown by a the Philippines’ version of Napoleon Bonaparte; (when the subject of height came to question): Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who earned the people’s spite for an uncovered clandestine telephone conversation she was involved in, and extinguishing a rival candidate’s chances of relinquishing her authority by means of duplicity. A candidate the people (yet again) considered worthy because he held a pseudonym as a ‘king’ who lashed at his foes with rolling fists to their abdomens. The death of Fernando Poe enlivened sympathy for those who stood against GMA’s accused oppression. Before the 2010 presidential elections, a descendant of the Aquino clan had his picture on the cover of Life Magazine with the caption “Can Noynoy save the Philippines?”

    Benigno Aquino III impressively stood above other candidates with the number of votes the people (once more) gave him; believing with much ardor that he would emulate the achievements of his mother 24 years earlier. He apparently managed to hold office despite intermittent public gripes and complaints. Upon the occurrence of a massacre; and his inaction concerning the issue; the very same individuals who placed him on his throne raised their fists with thumbs turned down, as in the trial of a tyrant standing before a guillotine.

    With this device called “People Power”, the citizens of the Philippines unknowingly practice the philosophy of empiricism: even the uneducated and unlearned. When the gum they use to stem a leaking pipe loses its viscosity; they replace it with another one that they believe will do the job which the prior could not.

    ‘This brand looks better than the other one. Let’s try it.’

    In time’s passing: ‘No. It looks just as bad. Let’s try another one from the old brand.’ and so the perpetual cycle continuous.

    The reality of man’s imperfection will never assist in mollifying the quest for an ultimate solution or remedy in politics; especially in the Philippines. Even if changes and alterations occur incessantly, the Filipino masses are versed in the act of finding something they can whine about: the gum, the pipes, the water system; everything will unavoidably fall under criticism. And since these individuals behave with a simplified emulation of the French Revolution, empiricists all and never satiated; they will bring the burden of perpetual irresolution upon themselves; and they have only themselves to blame for the consequences of their unquenchable stupidity.

    Woe to the minority who are unwilling infected with the same bloodline and nationality; but with a divergent mindset that is stifled by democracy.