Amid the election frenzy

Ben Contreras .

AMID the election frenzy, there are still people who believe that there won’t be any elections in the future. Their contention is that, elections will not bring change since the corrupt ones are still expected to win, most likely.

Just take a cursory look at who are seeking positions — husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, fathers and mothers; they all aspire for a position. Those who already have deepooted “credentials,” short of an established dynasty, are likely to win again.

Well, we are not saying here that dynasty is utterly bad for the country, although there is really a serious consideration of passing the anti-dynasty law. But there will always be an attempt to derail its passage.

Some may really want federalism for a change. But for most of the politicians, including supporters and allies of PRRD and the people within his circle… they are silently against it.

PRRD is on his way to the end of his second year in office. How far has the work for federalism been achieved? All talk and empty words. They entertain and give false hope to PRRD that they are indeed helping realize his dreams for our country.

But PRRD can be faulted, too. He vacillates and could lose momentum. In his fight against drugs, he wavered due to international condemnations drummed up by paid local and international media. Extrajudicial killings (EJKs) are happening everywhere even in big and so-called democratic countries. His enemies are using the poor victims for selective justice when he should be doing the same to foreign nationals or even locals caught in drug laboratories.

Corruption is still rampant. Is PRRD protecting people close to him? Although we saw him dismissing certain government officials for corruption, many still see it wanting.

I cannot speak about other regions. But in Region 10, corruption still reigns, and it got even worse.  We are dismayed that despite reports by his sympathizers here, nothing has happened.

A recent development in DPWH Region10 is that Director Eduarte has just been replaced by Zenny Tan of Panacan, Davao. Eduarte has been reported as no better than his predecessor Baruso. He ignored the warning.

Are there legal impediments that are stopping our president from doing what has to be done? Perhaps, there are. On second thought, we (in Mindanao) are under Martial Law, right? Need I say more?

In a “pulong-pulong” among Duterte supporters, Bro. Col. Alex Noble shared his thoughts by saying, “unless PRRD declares a revolutionary government, nothing will happen in this country.” Many agreed but also wanted to be positioned for possible government positions via elections. They wanted change but couldn’t make up their minds or failed to understand change. In the end, it became a launching ceremony for Bong Go as senatorial candidate. Bong Go, who?

I am sad, sad of the prospect that PRRD may fail. The President used to admonish his First Lady not to meddle in his job but reports have it that after feeling he is not getting the cooperation of people around him, the First Lady is now being involved in some ways.

All preparations seem to point to an election but things couldn’t be what they seem. The events could be mere camouflages for something to come.