WHILE I am not passionately inclined toward engaging politics, in the literal sense of the word, I find the ideal concept of politics of the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan PDDS attractive. The heart of the fledging party beats for the common and the ordinary. Whilst PDDS is inarguably a political party in character and form, it’s more likely of a movement in its core. Should it be faithful to its mission and core values, which are more easily defined in creed than in deeds, it may be, in the long run, yield the unexpected.
The party’s aggressive recruitment among the ordinary Filipinos to actively engage in politics could surprise the mainstay of politicos. Hence, the possibility of seeing a rise of new breeds of politicians from and against the conundrum of current politics is not farfetched. After all, the essence of democracy lies profoundly in a politically awakened and engaged public. But that is one humongous challenge a political movement like PDDS or any other idealistic party had to overcome and win. It will require a tremendous amount of passion and commitment from its members.
More likely, however, the current culture of politics and the secure control of political families in their hold of power will yet be the case in the next ten million years, so to speak, as if they’re fixed to the post permanently. As if the position is theirs by heritage, of which their family alone has the sole right to make claims of ownerships. Unfortunately, that is the current make-up of our brand of politics in the localities. Local politics have become a family enterprise of ruling families–the Romualdez in Tacloban; the Petillas in Leyte; the Espinas in Biliran; the Mercados in Southern Leyte; the Torres-Gomez in Ormoc and the 4th District of Leyte; the Tans in Samar; the Ongs in Northern Samar, … the list could go on, and on. Similar culture prevails in other Philippine localities. These political powerhouses have been in power for 30 to even 50 years now. Unchallenged, because of the prevailing unwillingness to rise of the ordinary of leaders from the sea of the masses, they could continue and perpetuate their hold of power uninterrupted.
The only way for a democratic interruption to happen is the conscious and active engagement of the public in the democratic process of elections. Ordinary people should now get involved in politics. If in all possibility they join in the political contest by joining elections, why not? If alone the move will change the static political landscape, then it would be good for our democracy. That I think is what this country and people badly need if they ever think of changing its pathetic culture of politics. Personally? No. Am still not interested in actually joining any political contest.