By:DONALD SEVILLA
“RIGODON DISHONOR”
Our politics has never been as tangled as a spider’s web like what we are seeing now. Unlikely alliances are formed or disbanded in preservation of self-interests and to ensure survival.
Gone were the days of principled politics based on party ideology and vision. Replaced by a culture of convenience just about every politician is a turncoat, concerned primarily of his/her political survival.
Getting close to the ruling party is a primordial goal to solidify one’s position and hold on power. Because of this, navigating the political waters is a tricky and delicate balancing act.
While this may suit our politicians just fine, it does not bode well for the kind of true public service our people deserve.
The people’s welfare is relegated to the sidelines as those we have elected are more concerned of the perpetuity of their positions. Much time is spent to ensure winning in the next polls.
This is a sad reality that we are confronted with. Unlike in mature democracies where political parties are fewer and stronger, ours is a jumbled mess.
Yet, switching of allegiances every election seems to be the norm .But what good will it bring us?
While politicians always justify their actions as done in the people’s best interest, on the contrary, it is not. In reality, what it does is serve only their personal interests, not ours.
When political partiès and ideology are strong the situation paves the way for a principled administration of service. We are assured of integrity and honor in the leaders we choose. We are given a platform upon which we could choose well based on the party visions that suit us best.
But when our leaders constantly jump ships, they show loyalty only to themselves. Prinçiples are set aside and word of honor is hard to come by.
When this happens, our values are lost and we eventually suffer. Politics becomes a disdainful game of treachery and deceit.
How we wish we could live in a society where honor and integrity are a must in governance !