"Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
A
simple lie that any presidential candidate utters while on campaign period can
be a threat to the Philippines as the motive for deception is not so pure, and
lying itself is the twin brother of stealing. Note: The official campaign period
for national candidates is from February 9 until May 7, while for local
candidates is between March 25 to May 7Campaigning is prohibited on March 24,
Maundy Thursday, March 25 Good Friday, May 8 Eve of Election Day, and May 9 Election
Day, Starting April 9, campaigning abroad is also prohibited as this is already
the start of the month-long voting period by overseas absentee voters.[1]
Politicians are known for being liars not only here in the Philippines. In fact, New
York Times reports of notable individuals for inaccurate statements.[2]
Daily Mail UK also affirms that politicians are good liars because they
convince themselves they are telling the truth. It's
easier for them to convince the public as they don't realise they're lying. They
fool themselves into believing what they want to believe.[3] Nevertheless, I’m still hoping for someone
who’s intention is for the good of this country.
John 8:44 You belong to your father
the devil and you willingly carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer
from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in
him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character, because he is a liar and the
father of lies.
In the Philippines, whether they admit it or not,
some politicians if not all intentionally make false statements, usually for
the purpose of misleading or deceiving the voters, into having false
impressions of things. Of course, they may be fully aware that their
statements/actions are false and deceptive, but make those statements while on
campaign period because of some purpose[4]
that can be fulfilled or perceive some advantage to be gained. The truth about
it is they’re lying not only to the people but to themselves.
“A lie
consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving. The Lord
denounces lying as the work of the devil: "You are of your father the
devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his
own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
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Whether
we like it or not, the manner of their dressing up is not what makes a
politician professional but their honesty - dishonesty is unprofessionalism
other than being
unresponsive, blaming others for internal/external factors they created, not
keeping promises, being fake, putting profit ahead of the poulation needs, poor
communication, corruption, not giving 100% and being
sensitive on critiques.
““Lying is the
most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the
truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man's relation to truth
and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and
of his word to the Lord.”
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Recently, the Supreme Court’s decision that
favors Sen. Poe’s plea against disqualification case filed against her[6],
reveals about dishonest means among politicians, whether they admit it or
not. The highest court voted nine to six
to grant her appeals on earlier rulings by the Commission on Elections. In
December, the commission had disqualified her on the grounds that her being a
foundling meant it was impossible to tell if her parents were Filipino, which
they would need to fulfill the constitution's "natural-born Filipino"
requirement. Likewise, it ruled that she didn't meet a 10-year residency requirement
because of a date she filled in her senatorial candidacy papers three years
ago, which the latter admitted that she committed an honest mistake in her
appeal.
Senator Grace Poe’s triumph marks International Women's Day whose advocacy is to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement which is also the senator's point of governance. The Supreme Court's decison is summarized thus “It is apparent that there
are only two classes of citizens: (1) those who are natural-born and (2) those
who are naturalized in accordance with law. A citizen who is not a naturalized Filipino,
i.e., did not have to undergo the process of naturalization to obtain
Philippine citizenship, necessarily is a natural-born Filipino. Noteworthy is
the absence of a separate category of person who, after losing Philippine
citizenship, subsequently reacquire’ it. The reason is clear she is either
natural-born or naturalized as she is not required by law to go through
naturalization proceedings in order to reacquire citizenship, she is perforce a
natural-born Filipino.”[7]
Despite the heavy accusations against him, Vice
President Binay who’s running on the same position, a human rights lawyer
during martial law in the 1970s and 1980s, remains gentleman towards Poe, claiming that the
ruling would have no effect on their campaign rather remains the most
qualified.
When Duterte restated his certificate of
candidacy before the Commission on Elections in December 2015, he said that his
decision to run for president is no longer just about Poe’s qualifications, at
least for now he has nothing but well wishes[8]
for his adversary after the Supreme Court ruled in her favor,
permitting her for the May 2016 presidential race. Previously, the former said
that the decision for him to run for presidential seat turned to be possible
after being disappointed with the dismissal of the disqualification by the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) which favored Poe in November 2015.
Mar Roxas who’s eyeing for the same position
takes it too insulting against his opponent, pointing to Poe that the
presidency is not an OJT, when in fact the country has been run by intellectuals but
remains in the position of a third world country[8]. Of course, present administration's achievements are not disregarded but generally speaking the country still needs
dependable political administration to achieve sustainable development and
address country’s poverty threshold than political liars who are only good at
promises . As a matter of fact, Socio-economic
Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan forecasted Philippine poverty rate at 18-20 percent by
2016,[9]
when President Benigno Aquino's term ends, which was originally projected at
16.6 percent of its 100 million people would still be living in poverty by
this year.
He says that “Without any specificity,
all of us do not want a foreigner to become the president.” With his noted
credentials, how come that he overlooks some of the specific laws that pertain
to Filipino citizenship.[10] Of course, his accomplishment is not ignored on his his fight to the big companies by lobbying for the enactment of the Cheaper Medicines law and bringing the IT-BPO industry to the Philippines which is expected to generate 1.3 million jobs locally and account for 9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product in 2016. Two things can be taken in this type of
behavior – it’s either he lied although he knew the law or he did not research
diligently on the specifics of this law. Either
way, he commits an error here – incompetence if he falls to the latter and lying if he falls to the former.
Miriam Santiago when asked about Poe’s
citizenship, she repeatedly replied, "No she's not. I'm sorry to say....
even if she's adopted or registered in the Department of Social Welfare as a foster
child, she's not natural-born."[11] Of course, her overwhelming achievements are equally noticed but Again with her overwhelming academic achievements, it is doubtful that she is
not aware of law on Philippine citizenship – just like Roxas, it’s either she
concealed the truth about the law or not meticulous in fair judgement – either
way she’s unprofessional.
“The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.”
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In a different interview, Santiago says that there
are many there who praise themselves even if they have not yet done a lot and
proven to the people, they already have the gall to be elected president of the
Philippines.[12]
AGAIN,
with the current condition of the country where corruption is a cancer, her
argument that a neophyte like Poe does not fit in this position is not
acceptable because the Philippine histories on politics speak that expertise
and even the excellent education of those in power hasve never been effective and
dependable. In fact, the Global
Financial Integrity, a Washington, DC-based
research institute, reported that, from 1960 to 2011, the Philippine economy lost about
$132.9 billion (P6 trillion-plus) to corruption. GFI broke down this total
annually and arrive at P357 billion ($7.9 billion dollars, based on current
exchange rates).[13]
"Since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another. It affects his ability to know, which is a condition of every judgment and decision. It contains the seed of discord and all consequent evils. Lying is destructive of society; it undermines trust among men and tears apart the fabric of social relationships.”
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Otherwise
if exposure in public service and proof of expertise are the major factors to
be considered qualified in this position, then this country would not be facing
poverty as presented above (not to mention the subsequent administrations both then and now) - the current leadership composes of people who are graduates from finest universities here and abroad with academic excellence ( La Salle, Ateneo, Univesity of the Philippines, Harvard, University of Michigan Law, University of Santo Tomas, Wharton, Harvard
University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, J. L. Kellogg Graduate
School of Management, Northwestern University, San Beda Law School, Assumption, Georgetown University, Wharton School
of the University of Pennsylvania, Philippine Military Academy Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila [15]
Indeed,
the country needs leaders with extensive public service and proof of expertise as major
factors to be considered qualified in this position, but not just that. Sen. Santiago fails to supply them with in-depth qualities –
EXTENSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE and PROOF OF EXPERTISE with MORAL ASCENDANCY or GOVERNANCE with a HEART that turns for THE COMMON GOOD than PERSONAL BENEFIT, with the MIND that VALUES COMMITMENT and INGENUITY to OPTIMIZE the COUNTRY'S ECONOMIC RESILIENCE for the COMMON GOOD, and with the CONSCIENCE that ATTACHES IMPORTANCE TO HONESTY than DECEIT.
This needs consistency should there be a heartfelt desire to be the next Asian Tiger economy.
Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano says that the five member-senators (Cayetano’s sister, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda,
Cynthia Villar, Bam Aquino, and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III) of the Senate
Electoral Tribunal (SET) were “sincerely wrong” when they voted to junk the
disqualification case against Senator Grace Poe. With the Supreme Court’s decision that favors
Sen. Poe petition,[16]
evidently he is the one careless here which means that he’s also strategizing a
not-so-nice stratagem in favour of his ambition to be a president. Of course, his
achievements as Top Outstanding Young Men, (TOYM) 2010 awardee, exellent performance in government and public service, as head on the
investigation of the NBN-ZTE deal, investigation of the Fertilizer
Scam investigation and cash
giving scandal in Malacanang,[17]
among the few are acknowledged which worth a gratitude, but in this occasion
it appears that he could formulate a tricky statement against his political
opponent in favor of his candidacy, where in fact his achievements alone could
speak a lot for his candidacy – whether he overlooked some details of the law
or spoke oppositely about the truth on Filipino citizenship, he still made a
lapse here. Huge temptations come from succumbing
to minor error.
“By its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech, whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others. The deliberate intention of leading a neighbor into error by saying things contrary to the truth constitutes a failure in justice and charity. The culpability is greater when the intention of deceiving entails the risk of deadly consequences for those who are led astray.”
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“Since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real
violence to another. It affects his ability to know, which is a condition of
every judgment and decision. It contains the seed of discord and all
consequent evils. Lying is destructive of society; it undermines trust among
men and tears apart the fabric of social relationships.”
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Amidst these ungentlemanly gestures of her rivals, Sen. Grace Poe remain unmoved and says that the country's problems have always been the same, asserting that there's no proof that if one has held a position for a long time, that he/she is good at it.[18] Come to think of it, the senator must be right in saying this because the Filipinos are stuck and still in awe with the country’s kind of politics even if the majority of its politicians should never even be called “Honorable.”[19] - Philippines is stuck in the Third World[20] and is still caught up in the kind of development environment that economists abhor.
Among her achievements through the values of fairness, integrity, and courage deeply embedded
in her by parents, Senator Poe became a Convenor of Kontra Daya, a
coalition for the reform of the Philippine electoral system to eradicate
election fraud. On her term as MTRCB Chair, she revised its classification system
for TV and movies to take into account the different levels of maturity of
young audiences. In her first
year as a Senator, she shepherded the approval of the Peoples’ Freedom of
Information Act in the Upper Chamber, also made her mark during the plenary
debates and committee investigations on the Napoles PDAF Scam and PNP-Werfast
Deal. Her privilege speeches on child malnutrition and the “Hello Garci” scandal
served as a stirrig sound for government to intensify efforts against hunger
and election fraud. Her expert management and impartial report on the
Mamasapano hearings gain great compliments for her, autonomy and sharpness.[21]
Platform
of government[22]
To know more of their plans of action once elected, brief platform of government provided below can be your guide to assess each candidate before exercising your most significant vote:
To know more of their plans of action once elected, brief platform of government provided below can be your guide to assess each candidate before exercising your most significant vote:
HIGHLIGHTS
OF THE DEBATE[23]
To be more acquainted on how they present themselves with heart, eloquence, preparedness and spontaneity, the first debate hosted by GMA-7 which was held at Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro City on Feb. 21, 2016, which lasted for approximately two hours, is provided herewith for your assessment on choosing the right candidate.
Rappler editors who also judge the performance of each bet per round base their grading on truthfulness (values, consistency), overall impact (vision, leadership, ability to articulate thoughts), and knowledge/facts on file. Roxas makes it on round 1 while Rounds 2 and 3 go to Poe.
For all 3 rounds, Duterte emerges as the top choice of the netizens who join the online poll.
The advocacy group Movement for Good Governance (MGG) likewise rate the candidates according to its 3 criteria (effective, ethical, and empowering, ranking Roxas being the 1st, then Poe, Santiago, Duterte and Binay.
Roxas
wins this round based on Rapplers’ editors judgment brought by his concise and
straight forward argument. The usually playing-safe and long-winded Roxas
immediately went on the offensive when he made his opening statement and during
the 1st round, singled out his rivals for their perceived weaknesses. He called
out Poe for being inexperienced, telling her that the presidency is not an OJT.
Sen.
Poe prevails in this round who articulates her preparedness of these topics, quoting
cautiously particular data on farmers and in-depth discussion of specific
solutions to their burdens. Santiago refutes that these are easier said than
done and that past administration have been failure in addressing these issues.
The former fires back by saying, that's why Filipinos need a new leader with
fresh perspective.
This
time, Sen. Poe makes it again in this round who takes a clear-cut position on
EDCA versus Santiago’s.
This
time, Sen. Poe makes it again in this round who takes a clear-cut position on
EDCA versus Santiago’, saying that the situation seemed to be better when the
Philippines was still hosting US bases, brought by its financial remuneration
for the use the country’s facilities at the time but now, under Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), their
stay here is for free. She takes the sober ground in the Philippines' maritime
dispute with China, asserting that country should take the leadership role in
ASEAN in pushing for a binding Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South
China Sea.
Netizens
again voted Duterte as the winner in this round. Roxas again came in second. In
CLOSING STATEMENT
In each closing statement, every candidate speaks from their heart, mind and conscience.
"A good person brings forth good out of a store of goodness, but an evil person brings forth evil out of a store of evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:35-37)
References:
[1] Leslie Ann Aquino, Comelec: Campaign period begins Tuesday, February 8, 016http://www.mb.com.ph/comelec-campaign-period-begins-tuesday/
[2] All politicians lieAll Politicians Lie. Some Lie More Than Others. By ANGIE DROBNIC HOLANDEC. 11, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/opinion/campaign-stops/all-politicians-lie-some-lie-more-than-others.html?_r=0
[3] Emma Innes, Published: 16:51 GMT, 17 March 2014 | UPDATED: 17:34 GMT, 17 March 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2582730/Politicians-good-liars-convince-telling-truth-research-suggests.html
[4] Alex Scott, The Morality of Lying and Deception http://philosophyreaders.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-morality-of-lying-and-deception.html
[5] Eric J. Romero, PhD, Top 10 Most Unprofessional Behaviors, http://competeoutsidethebox.com/2013/02/24/top-10-most-unprofessional-behaviors/
[6] Coco Alcuaz, Philippines Election: Supreme Court Allows Grace Poe To Run For President, Junks Disqualification Issue, 03/08/16 AT 5:11 AM, http://www.ibtimes.com/philippines-election-supreme-court-allows-grace-poe-run-president-junks-2332181
[7] Marcelo “JR” Garcis, Bengzon doctrine affirms Poe a natural-born Filipino, 12:03 AM January 6th, 2016, http://opinion.inquirer.net/91783/bengzon-doctrine-affirms-poe-a-natural-born-filipino
[8] Trisha Macas/RSJ, GMA News, Published March 8, 2016 6:30pm, http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/558277/news/nation/duterte-to-grace-poe-on-sc-win-i-wish-her-the-best
[9] Agence France-Presse, Millions to remain in poverty as Philippines re-sets target, Published March 19, 2014 6:46am, http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/353181/money/economy/millions-to-remain-in-poverty-as-philippines-re-sets-target.
[10] Alexis Romero, The Philippine Star, Updated November 25, 2015, 12:00am, http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/25/1525685/mar-grace-nobody-wants-foreigner-president
[11] Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News, Grace Poe not a natural-born Filipino —Miriam Published December 2, 2015 9:12pm, http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/546545/news/nation/grace-poe-not-a-natural-born-filipino-miriam
[12] Ayee Macaraig, Miriam Santiago: 'Poe has gall to insist on presidency', Published 3:31 PM, December 14, 2015, Updated 10:40 AM, February 29, 2016, http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/115949-miriam-santiago-poe-gall
[13] Patricio N. Abinales, Corrupt Philippines? Look at America, Published 7:30 AM, November 18, 2014, Updated 7:30 AM, November 18, 2014, http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/75203-abinales-corruption-philippines-united-states
[14] Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Media Releases, Outstanding External Debt Drops in Q1 2015, 06.19.2015, http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp?id=3761
[15] Wilson Lee Flores , 25 most influential leaders in Philippine politics, Updated July 24, 2011 - 12:00am, http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/709031/25-most-influential-leaders-philippine-politics
[16] Maila Ager, Cayetano: Senators who upheld Poe ‘sincerely wrong’, 04:54 PM November 23rd, 2015http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/741676/cayetano-senators-in-set-who-upheld-poe-sincerely-wrong
[17] Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Personal Information, http://alanpetercayetano.com/personal-profile/resume-and-achievements
[18] CamilleElemia, Mar Roxas hits Grace Poe: Presidency is not an 'OJT', Published 6:15 PM, February 21, 2016, Updated 12:59 AM, February 22, 2016, http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/123224-pilipinas-debates-mar-roxas-grace-poe-presidency-ojt-internship
[19] Rudy Romero, Philippines stuck as Third World country, posted January 16, 2014 at 12:01 am, http://manilastandardtoday.com/opinion/columns/business-class-by-rudy-romero/138227/philippines-stuck-as-third-world-country.html
[20] Valeriano Avila, Must we forever remain a 3rd world country?, http://www.philstar.com/freeman-opinion/2016/01/15/1542818/must-we-forever-remain-3rd-world-country
[22] JC Ansis, CNN Philippines, What is your presidential candidate's platform of government?, Updated 19:02 PM PHT Fri, February 12, 2016, http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/02/12/presidential-candidates-platform-of-government-elections.html
[23] The Cagayan de Oro Presidential Debate: Summary and highlights, Published 7:04 PM, February 22, 2016, Updated 3:43 PM, February 23, 2016, http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/123307-cdo-presidential-debate-summary-highlights
[1] Leslie Ann Aquino, Comelec: Campaign period begins Tuesday, February 8, 016http://www.mb.com.ph/comelec-campaign-period-begins-tuesday/
[2] All politicians lieAll Politicians Lie. Some Lie More Than Others. By ANGIE DROBNIC HOLANDEC. 11, 2015, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/opinion/campaign-stops/all-politicians-lie-some-lie-more-than-others.html?_r=0
[3] Emma Innes, Published: 16:51 GMT, 17 March 2014 | UPDATED: 17:34 GMT, 17 March 2014, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2582730/Politicians-good-liars-convince-telling-truth-research-suggests.html
[4] Alex Scott, The Morality of Lying and Deception http://philosophyreaders.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-morality-of-lying-and-deception.html
[5] Eric J. Romero, PhD, Top 10 Most Unprofessional Behaviors, http://competeoutsidethebox.com/2013/02/24/top-10-most-unprofessional-behaviors/
[6] Coco Alcuaz, Philippines Election: Supreme Court Allows Grace Poe To Run For President, Junks Disqualification Issue, 03/08/16 AT 5:11 AM, http://www.ibtimes.com/philippines-election-supreme-court-allows-grace-poe-run-president-junks-2332181
[7] Marcelo “JR” Garcis, Bengzon doctrine affirms Poe a natural-born Filipino, 12:03 AM January 6th, 2016, http://opinion.inquirer.net/91783/bengzon-doctrine-affirms-poe-a-natural-born-filipino
[8] Trisha Macas/RSJ, GMA News, Published March 8, 2016 6:30pm, http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/558277/news/nation/duterte-to-grace-poe-on-sc-win-i-wish-her-the-best
[9] Agence France-Presse, Millions to remain in poverty as Philippines re-sets target, Published March 19, 2014 6:46am, http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/353181/money/economy/millions-to-remain-in-poverty-as-philippines-re-sets-target.
[10] Alexis Romero, The Philippine Star, Updated November 25, 2015, 12:00am, http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/25/1525685/mar-grace-nobody-wants-foreigner-president
[11] Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News, Grace Poe not a natural-born Filipino —Miriam Published December 2, 2015 9:12pm, http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/546545/news/nation/grace-poe-not-a-natural-born-filipino-miriam
[12] Ayee Macaraig, Miriam Santiago: 'Poe has gall to insist on presidency', Published 3:31 PM, December 14, 2015, Updated 10:40 AM, February 29, 2016, http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/115949-miriam-santiago-poe-gall
[13] Patricio N. Abinales, Corrupt Philippines? Look at America, Published 7:30 AM, November 18, 2014, Updated 7:30 AM, November 18, 2014, http://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/75203-abinales-corruption-philippines-united-states
[14] Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Media Releases, Outstanding External Debt Drops in Q1 2015, 06.19.2015, http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp?id=3761
[15] Wilson Lee Flores , 25 most influential leaders in Philippine politics, Updated July 24, 2011 - 12:00am, http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/709031/25-most-influential-leaders-philippine-politics
[16] Maila Ager, Cayetano: Senators who upheld Poe ‘sincerely wrong’, 04:54 PM November 23rd, 2015http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/741676/cayetano-senators-in-set-who-upheld-poe-sincerely-wrong
[17] Alan Peter S. Cayetano, Personal Information, http://alanpetercayetano.com/personal-profile/resume-and-achievements
[18] CamilleElemia, Mar Roxas hits Grace Poe: Presidency is not an 'OJT', Published 6:15 PM, February 21, 2016, Updated 12:59 AM, February 22, 2016, http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/123224-pilipinas-debates-mar-roxas-grace-poe-presidency-ojt-internship
[19] Rudy Romero, Philippines stuck as Third World country, posted January 16, 2014 at 12:01 am, http://manilastandardtoday.com/opinion/columns/business-class-by-rudy-romero/138227/philippines-stuck-as-third-world-country.html
[20] Valeriano Avila, Must we forever remain a 3rd world country?, http://www.philstar.com/freeman-opinion/2016/01/15/1542818/must-we-forever-remain-3rd-world-country
[22] JC Ansis, CNN Philippines, What is your presidential candidate's platform of government?, Updated 19:02 PM PHT Fri, February 12, 2016, http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/02/12/presidential-candidates-platform-of-government-elections.html
[23] The Cagayan de Oro Presidential Debate: Summary and highlights, Published 7:04 PM, February 22, 2016, Updated 3:43 PM, February 23, 2016, http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2016/123307-cdo-presidential-debate-summary-highlights
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