A Reaction To Perry Diaz's Article

Road to Perdition or Redemption

I once read a book on the science of group dynamics by Eric Byrne. I remembered the way he structured society in terms of two forces namely: external forces in an environment were internal forces interact and the internal components being the general membership (the masses), and the leadership in the case of government, (i.e. the President and her bureaucracy,Congress,Senate, Judiciary, ) External forces would include the various publics i.e. the business sector, the media, outside governments etc., that take action to influence the internal forces to follow the course they want them to go.

The structure and dynamics of Philippine politics is such that even the component of leadership is not in sync. It has been this way historically even at start of government in 1946. Pres.Manuel Roxas and then President Elpidio Quirino with good intentions must have thought that the way to go was to continue in the politics of patronage that has been the legacy of Spanish colonization. The Presidents elected after them had the same orientation. And the membership (the masses) they committed to serve has resigned themselves to the idea that such is the way of life in the Philippines.

The illegal numbers game of Jueteng thrives precisely because it is a tool of patronage. Control the game and you become a patron to a lot of deprived “massa” who would honor and respect you for the dole outs. I bet Bong Pineda whose wife is in politics still has survived the game simply because he is GMA’s conduit to the many that benefit from the illegal numbers game. Just as Agustin Roxas in Paniqui Tarlac once served as a conduit to the same Massa, and Mayor Sanchez in the Southern Tagalog provinces played a similar role. The media can shout to high heavens and write exposes’ but it won’t kill the game. Erap’s demise as a President because of the game and his subsequent release by pardon thereafter is the classic case of patronage politics that we play. The power grab was deflected using the massa as a tool, everyone lives happily ever after except for the people who is left holding the empty bag. Now here is a guy, Gov. Panlilio who is trying to change the way politics is played. Do you think he will survive?

What I am saying is Perry Diaz’s article the Road to Perdition or Redemption has cited issues that in fairness to GMA could not rest entirely on her shoulders. What is happening now in the country that Diaz’s fault GMA as empty promises is a repeat of past Presidents’ failures and future President’s dilemma. What we need is a cultural revolution and a strong, courageous, honest and innovative President to lead it. Let’s look at Dick Gordon. He may be the man!