This Is Your Fight

Article 048.

 

In light of the the news of insurrection in Indonesia and Nepal as well as all the social events happening across the world about religion, immigration and civil unrest, but primarily due to the recently exposed "ghost" flood-control projects in the Philippines, where the nation is in discord, I write this to the citizens of the Philippines.

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Dear Filipino Citizens,

This is your fight! That is why I’m deviating from the usual narrative of addressing the politicians directly but instead sharing this to you, the common man and woman. Yes you-- who plunges through the flood-ridden streets that’s full of filth and a haven for sickness, to get to your destination and commence your day and do it all over again so you can be welcomed back by the comforts of your measly but well-earned home. Yes you-- the minimum wage employee and the diligent student, who endures the daily commute of public transportation, sharing the intense atmosphere of cramped up spaces with fellow commuters and surviving the rigors of waiting in the streets for the coveted ride to and from home. Yes you-- who could barely afford to have one meal a day, those who scavenge the streets for the cheapest lunch deals and for all those who miraculously are able to stretch the peso to make it to the next payday. Yes even you-- the karaoke-singing, rumor-spreading, jobless but mobile phone-owning dot to society. This is your fight!

 

First of all, don't get butt-hurt or cry foul. Don't be utterly sensitive as I say this to you like you are when you get bashed in social media. Sharing this to corrupt officials goes to deaf ears, as we all know. But you on the other hand, you would listen because you are the victim in this grand scheme. So shed that onion skin and hang tight. This will go hard and deep. But you'll make sense of it, I promise. Remember, this is your fight!

 

Corruption is systemic. It is a poison that the entire country has absorbed and from its leaders it has trickled down to the lowest level of society, unfortunately. It is so inherent that the country has accepted it as a norm, and those who don’t want to play the game, are forced to play regardless. And once you’re in it, there is no turning back. This becomes your life, this becomes you. It is so ingrained that if you accuse anyone, especially a politician of being corrupt, their natural instinct is to instantly and vehemently deny it. Worse, they would have the audacity to feel insulted and to a certain extent retaliate back. There is no more conscience with these people. Lying to your faces is innate. They don’t care about the nation, just their pockets and the assurance that they have wealth for generations to come. It is so appropriate to tag them as guilty until proven innocent.

 

Corruption is sickly congenital because of you, the voter, who would accept a small bag of rice or a few hundred pesos in exchange for writing the name of a known unscrupulous candidate in the ballot. You have further empowered corruption by electing its vessel. Understand that choosing to feed your family that one opportunity versus feeding them consistently for years is what you have compromised. Economics is tough and poverty is the root of everything, and definitely should be addressed but it should not push you to lose your integrity even for a bit. You may think it's an exaggeration that it only takes one vote, but in all honesty it truly does. Because collectively is how it's gonna make a difference. Is this a salient point and you all know that, right? No you don't.

 

It’s because of you who sought a job to serve those same people, as a bodyguard, a secretary, an errand boy, knowing that on top of the lucrative salary they offer, they’ll also slip a few thousand pesos your way every so often. Anytime you accept something outside of what you are fairly compensated for, your hand is now as dirty as theirs. Resign, quit or walk away. Find another employer that would not expose you to challenge your integrity. You may lose a job but you would retain some self-respect in return, which is far more valuable than what money can buy. But if that doesn't bother you, then you are the problem even before you've associated yourself with them. Deny it but you are.

 

It is because of you journalist, reporter, the so-called instrument and advocate for the truth, for taking bribes to sensationalize those unworthy and glorifying them to the public. Do not think for a second that you are upholding what you claim is the truth if they pay you to feature them on your channel. If you do, then you are now a disgrace to the art of journalism, whether you admit it or not. I understand it is a business but try to defend the code of ethics of seeking the truth and reporting it. For if not for this oath, then just put down the pen. You are done writing.

It is because of you dear businessman/contractor who allowed bribery as the only means to win projects, not knowing that you have been pounding yourselves deeper and deeper into a hell hole. You are now as equally corrupt maybe even more than the politician that is supposed to be the pinnacle. Contractors should unite, push for cohesion among businessmen and not allow any government official or body to extort you, leaving them no choice but to pick the best among competitors by quality of service and not by the amount inside a secretly handed envelope. Do not conform to their standards so easily. Have some balls for crying out loud!

 

And a little something for the politicians (I can't help it). I understand that you are "good" people too. Obviously to your families but after that, only to those you know who would help your cause. Everybody has some good in them but if you're blatantly depriving the country of progress, of providing basic life necessities and always sounding condescending to the masses, your so-called goodness is futile. Stop with the lavish properties, expensive cars and lifestyles. Do not feed your children with ill-gotten wealth and preach that it is clean, only for them to play innocent of what they already know. Politicians are not supposed to live an opulent life, not with their salaries. And even if you're already rich when you got into politics, you shouldn't be getting richer exponentially when in office. Serving the people does not equate to luxury. You continuously disregard the welfare of those people who make the nation a nation. You would run for office so the people can see you do a fraction of real servitude and think that it would overshadow all the rotten things you're doing behind the scenes. And you have the intrepidity to seek re-election and do more damage the second time around. All this with a straight face, not even a blink (probably a smirk). Are we so proud to be 114th in the corruption index out of 180 countries? Is there really no shame?

 

It's time for reform to come from the ground up. If the Filipino people would not empower them, then this systemic corruption would finally have a chance to slowly diminish. You may disagree with each other because of your allegiance to certain people and parties but despite the division, you need to unite against corruption. Be vigilant. Gone are the days when politicians can buy TV, radio and print silence. Perhaps they still can but in this age of social media, information dissemination is instant and politicians wouldn’t have any control of that. Use technology to expose those who wreath of corruption, keep receipts. Don't be afraid to voice out maybe even bash but do it with sense. Break the norm and accept only accountability to those who have religiously molested Filipino politics. Make them pay, ensure that someone is behind bars. More importantly do not re-elect them or rehire them or glorify them. Stop nepotism if the clan has been in position for so long and have done poorly to almost nothing to improve the way of living within their jurisdiction. Run for office if you are qualified (big statement) and not just because you want to "serve". That rhetoric needs to retire. Better if you have both but don't if you only have the latter. But deserving candidates are needed to catapult change. If you have no credentials, please start from the bottom. Maybe there this "will to serve" may actually be of value. A big heart won't cut it. Change the benchmark, even better, elevate it. Make a significant paradigm shift. Serve the people in true good governance fashion. Be the candidate that would open up their doors, especially their books, accounting for every peso in your office so that the people who elected you know where their money is going. Just full transparency. It's time for the citizens to really let their pain out and change the country's incomprehensible way of politics. But please this time, do not pity the prosecuted and their just punishment if they ever do get one. Uphold it. Set aside those feelings of pity to rectify malpractice. This is an extremely tall order but realistically achievable. The young millennials and Gen Z's have done a good job exposing what needs to be exposed in social media and they must continue to push this narrative, with Gen X, who is partly to blame, rallying behind them (yes Gen X, I said it). Do not let this fire die!

 

For remember, this is your fight Filipinos. This is your fight!

 

Yours in God,

Miguel Robles

 

Dirty money = Cuffs