Politics: The Filipino Way
Philippine politics never ceased to amaze a lot of people. Based on Commission on Elections partial and unofficial results with almost 80% votes counted for the 2010 Presidential elections, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III taking the lead and trailing him is former President Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada.
Sen. Aquino who was perceived to be unqualified and unfit for the job but has been catapulted to the position while former President Estrada, the ousted President during the 2001 EDSA 2 People Power and convicted for plunder but was paroled after six years in prison taking the second place.
While other candidates who are qualified and competent like former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar, and Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon struggled behind the two top choices.
This kind of voter’s preference in the Philippines may be an indication of how immature the Philippine electorate is. This kind of preference will not put the country forward. The flawed 1987 Philippine constitution had put the country in this situation with its multi party system in a Presidential form of government. This must be changed to either a multi party system in a Parliamentary form of government or stick with the Presidential form of government with a two party system.
Philippines is the icon of Democracy in Southeast Asia and yet so immature. Neighbouring countries had overtaken us in terms of economic development and global competitiveness and yet here we are struggling to find the right formula for our own culture. The next congress must act on this matter or else our country will remain as the “Sick Man of Asia”.
