While sipping coffee and munching a muffin, a peer remarked that the 2016 P.I. (as in Philippine Islands, not the DU30 catch phrase) presidential race is an election for the least of evils.
Question: Has it really become a nasty habit for voters to dig into and recycle a candidate’s bad past to determine suitability for good governance?
Reply: Too much reality TV. You’ve got four big fat yeses.
Q: If they did something obnoxiously unforgivable in the past, don’t they deserve a second chance?
R: Chances are … it’s more exhilarating to listen to Johnny Mathis.
Q: Can’t electors just envision the bright future a poll bet vows to do for the people to deserve the vote?
R: Envision? Not gonna happen to one of the monkeys. Bright future? Sorry, I read blight. Promising candidates? They are made to be broken. Deserve the vote? Sadly, many still prefer the reserve note.
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The Philippine pre-election season spirit is searing, like the soaring summer temperature in the country.
As always, Juan has a puzzling but valid observation: Why are supporters of opposing presidential bets the ones who are so anxious and enthusiastic to saber-rattle, go on war footing and engage in extreme animosity against each other? They even become too personal in social media. Is this how mature Philippine politics has become?
Yes, Juan. Candidates and their fans will never tire of spitting physical, emotional and psychological venom at each other. Their well-defined idea of democracy will be of no use if they can’t ably, fully and fearlessly exercise their unbridled freedom of spit.
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Loyalist Saul made a rather soul-searching forecast: No matter what, Bongbong Marcos is sure to win the vice presidential race in the May 9 Philippine national elections. Asked how he came up with the thought, he said: Libre mangarap, ‘di ba (To dream is free, isn’t it)?
Overheard was a loud whisper: Baka bangungutin ka … sana (You might have a nightmare … I wish).
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Why not? It is possible. If Marcos becomes vice president, Filipinos may have to live through six (sic) years of boring and uneventful (for some, action-packed and suspenseful) state adventurism.
A sneak peek into the ramifications of leadership combinations elicits these election exclamations:
— Bloody Chilly! The Rodrigo Duterte-Marcos tandem seems to top the charts. With their impeccable belief and vast experience in handling lethal and fatal force as a means to an end, they do not even have to ride big bikes.
— Unbelievable! Considering their flawless propensity to concoct white lies and truthful deception to push self-serving goals, the Grace Poe-Marcos duo may yet clear the bar. The rumor mill is rife that their best assets are making the blindfolded lady get a glimpse of their other side and having the scale tilt to their favor. That they would stash away their little secrets and Pandora boxes in the north and the west is such a big hoax.
— Interesting! It’s all in a well-bred closely-knit family. Mar Roxas’ middle name is Araneta. Marcos married an Araneta; so did his sister. A nice and happy thought though, guys. The conjugal alliance of Roxas and Marcos will obligingly turn down requests to mumble an ear-splitting duet of Dahil Sa Iyo (Because Of You) in a coliseum. There’s more. Have a quick pick: Marital Law or Martial Law? Or both?
— Spotless! So pristine was how Jejomar Binay, Marcos’ dad and their minions were said to have cleaned and cleared public coffers during their political heyday. This infallible notion is still to be proven beyond reasonable debt. Although Binay insists to have once wallowed in poverty and Marcos was born holding a silver spoon, both will go for gold. Olympians, however, do it for the honor and good of their country.
— Mind Blowing! Faultless ingenuity and novelty may propel the Miriam Santiago-Marcos partnership up front. Democratic sanity will definitely and indefinitely rule. They won’t compel and want people to call the country’s premier abode Malahunghang Palace.
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Seriously! In a dream, Jeannie granted me three wishes.
First, I wished that everything said and written about the characters above is just one big joke.
Second, I wished that when presidential candidates engage in a debate, no one would call it a standup comedy.
Last but not least, I wished that the clowns and jesters in politics do not get the last laugh.
Jeannie was very kind to give me one more, so I wished everyone a Happy and Memorable April Fool’s Day.
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The heat is on. A total of 44,694 poll bets have geared up to seek the vote for one of 18,067 seats — as congressional representatives and provincial, city and municipal officials. Although it is common knowledge that many of them have been on the trail as early as they have thought to run, the law says they have 45 days or until May 8 to attract as many voters to their side. The official campaign started on March 26.
While this should be an entertaining road show to watch, the race took a techno twist when Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista urged the public to use social media to post and “shame” candidates violating provisions of the Fair Elections Act.
Bautista said: We are embarking on a shame campaign. We want to involve the citizenry … at kunan ng litrato yung mga (and take pictures of) campaign paraphernalia na hindi karapat dapat sa lugar (that are out of place).”
The Comelec chairman’s idea appears practical, but it simply is ridiculous. Other than being just a trip to public service, extreme emotions and deep sensitivities are at play for a local candidate in local elections.
“Shaming” may further stir and escalate existing bad blood between political rivals and may incite violence. Bautista may have forgotten the Comelec-coined term “election hotspot” existing in many parts of the country.
A little less than five weeks before the May 9 polls, edited images, falsities, misinformation, and untruths have been swarming digital screens. And Bautista wants to be in the thick of the irresponsible, disgusting and barbaric social media’s game of shame? Sige nga, pasikatin natin.
The Comelec has a big budget and broad powers to implement the Fair Elections Act. I simply cannot fathom why Bautista has to encourage others to do what the Comelec is expected to do, legally and morally. What Bautista suggests may even put the life and limb of people at risk. For a state official, it’s really a shame if he so insists.
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Maiba naman (Change topic). Canada’s Finance Minister Bill Morneau has tabled the federal government’s 2016 budget deficit of $29.4 billion and a spending list spread from over five to ten years, all seen to fund investments for long-term economic growth, the creation of jobs and improved productivity, measures that would give the low and middle-income classes a lift, the avowed shift to a green economy, etc.
Financial reports said the federal budget based the deficit on 0.4 per cent annual growth. The budget was silent on any surplus forecast before the next election. The budget also expected debt to grow by $113 billion by 2020-2021, although the debt-to-GDP ratio would stay mostly flat at 32 per cent.
The layman’s infamous two taxable cents worth: Jargon again? No English! Please translate.
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Here are salient budget points that may interest Balita readers. These are sourced from state and private media.
The Canada Child Benefit provides new tax-free monthly payments starting July 1, to replace the Universal Child Care Benefit. Families receive up to $6,400 a year per child under 6, and $5,400 for those aged 6 to 18. The amount is reduced for households with income over $30,000, and is eliminated for income over $190,000.
Some tax breaks, like those for tuition and textbooks, children’s fitness and arts costs, and income-splitting for families with children will be phased out. Teachers, however, get a $150 credit for teaching materials.
Employment Insurance (EI) changes make it easier for workers to qualify for benefits. The wait period for the first EI check will take one week, from two. Benefit periods are extended by five weeks in 12 hard-hit regions. A huge cut in EI premiums is expected next January.
Student grants rise to $3,000 from $2,000 for low-income students, to $1,200 from $800 for middle-income students and to $1,800 from $1,200 for part-time students.
Seniors get a raise by up to $947 annually in their Guaranteed Income Supplement.
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More of the programs and projects listed in the budget are to come, to fulfill sound pre-election promises.
The budget is such a huge amount to raise, from taxes and other government sources of income. But please, don’t make the wait for critical government services take either too long, a lifetime, or forever and beyond. (butchgalicia@yahoo.com)