Now what? VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 05/13/2010

Now what?

VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz 05/13/2010 No, it is not over. The fact is that it just begun. The national elections recently concluded showed the worst and the best in Philippines politics. Lives were lost. Rights were violated. Fear was sown. But the Filipino voters sweated it all out. The sun was fierce and for wind, there was none. But they persevered and registered their electoral will. As to the political candidates, some of them stood for what is right and just — although these were admittedly few and far between. Most of them, however, even sold their souls, and did every vicious conceivable trick simply to win their coveted public offices. At the end, the country now as the usual mixed of good and bad politicians already proclaimed or about to undergo proclamation as celebrated winners — as the losers in the elections cry their hearts out. Now what? Would the old timers — and there is one gloriously standing by the wayside even but for the moment — simply continue cultivating the culture of graft and corrupt practices in government? Would they still make the already structurally damaged institutions even more dysfunctional — the Judiciary in particular? Are they now well poised to make their public offices more effective in enslaving the poor and exploiting the ignorant? Or may the Filipino now expect a far better government, more honest and honorable politicians? It is reasonable for the people to look forward to governance that is not only ethically upright but also imbued with a morally sound value system?... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune   URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100513com6.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL 1986 all over again FRONTLINE Too soon the poll praises FEATURE Tokyo’s samurai women punish fat with sword workout BLURBAL THRUSTS Lim, Isko win big in Manila PROFILE David Cameron: Britain’s youthful new prime minister VIEWPOINTS Now what? focus For crew of doomed US rig, a night of flames and terror