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The mid-term election fever is very much in the air.
And many of those vying and in competition to win the polls for
another mandate are the same faces who made politics a life long
career.
Despite the term limits imposed
by the Constitution, it is rarity for these old guards in Philippine
politics to yield their vested interests over an elective post to
pave the way for fresh leadership. They will continue to perpetuate
themselves in power through their alter egos in the persona of their
spouses, children, siblings or immediate relatives, or maybe after
ensuring themselves of getting appointed to another sensitive or
juicy government post by virtue of a political tit for tat.
It is no longer a source of
wonder why many of the country’s politicians would do whatever it
takes to remain in power. They would spend a fortune to fund
extravagant electoral campaigns and political dole-outs. Some would
not mind employing dirty tricks and unlawful schemes or resorting to
intimidation, force or even political killings just to ensure poll
victory.
If there is any rational or
logical explanation for all of this display of “political will”
on the part of the candidates, it is simply because politics is a
lucrative career.
Of course, the standard line of
the typical politician is to the contrary. They seek public office
to serve the country and its people, or to alleviate the plight of
the poor and the down-trodden, or get rid of corruption. All of
these though are pure lip service. At the end of the day, nothing
really significant would change in the lives of their
constituencies. Proof of this is the fact that the usual problems
and concerns facing the country that are being tackled every
election campaign remains almost the same interminable and
long-standing issues.
But by taking a second look at
many politicians and political families and comparing the extent of
their wealth and fortune today from that of elections ago, there
would be a remarkable difference in most cases. And this is a source
of great wonder especially in a theoretical situation where
statutory defined government pay and amenities for elective public
positions are not really commensurate with the huge amount of
political investments put in to earn the votes.
Notwithstanding the practical
realities, no politician who has been in office for the longest time
did ever become poor or miserable and would give up political
ambitions for such a reason.
The return of investments in a
political career is quicker, very tempting, and apparently much
easier compared to a savvy businessman who would engage in serious
entrepreneurship. And every “political entrepreneur” would know
that recovery at the very least of political investments is next to
impossible, except through kickbacks or payoffs in government
transactions, or in the form of protection, lobby or retainer money
from unscrupulous supporters whose economic interest, legitimate or
otherwise, might be in jeopardy, or via the various business
opportunities using other people’s money that become easily
accessible or instantaneously available to a person in power or
authority.
Some would argue the point that
when they entered politics they were already rich but would hide the
fact that it also made them richer by a mile afterwards.
The motive is easily discernible
why people would cling to political power, themselves or through
their kin, or stage a political comeback after some period of
hibernation from an electoral defeat.
On a positive note however, it is
also comforting to know that there are also virtuous politicians in
the midst of it all. But they are a rarity and would usually and
understandably vanish from the public view as quickly as they get
in.
There is no reason to get envious
though. For those who are seriously thinking of starting a lucrative
career, there are more than 17,000 elective positions at stake in
both the national and local level on May 14, 2007.
But take note that the deadline
for application is on March 29.
(www.soriano-ph.com.)
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