Appearance and reality in Philippine politics

WE are caught between appearance and reality many instances on this planet. Some contrasts are starker than others. Here we have the contrast with what our Constitution says which is that we are a democratic society with the rule of the majority in place, with laws to be followed, with justice for all no matter who and basic services for everyone. In fact, the Constitution says very clearly that we are all equal under the law with the same rights to choose our leaders by voting without coercion for those whom we select for which our votes will be counted correctly. But the reality is different. And it is a stark reality.

We seem to be living in a feudal society where there is the equivalent of a monarchy, nobility, serfs. We have elections that are not quite what they are defined to be – free voting without coercion or intimidation, violence or chaos, without unconscionable bribes and false promises, ballots correctly counted and the will of the majority followed. Instead we have dynasties and fiefdoms supposedly elected freely. Every part of the country has a dynasty in place, fiefdoms going down through generations of one family in political power with the prospect of more generations of the same to come. Obviously, some here are more equal than others. These higher beings have first crack at the resources, monopolize the business activities, grab as much land as possible and see to it that their area of dominance is closed to everyone who wants to compete, particularly in the race for public office, business or even access to basic services. Political power facilitates these depredations.