I will not forget what my comparative politics’ professor said during our last meeting. “As a political scientist, you must know more than other people do. You won’t just be silent in discussions. You will be able to express your opinions and you will have a say.” She looked at me when she was saying these, as if she was really pointing to me. And, I felt that, yes, maybe these words were meant for me.
Perhaps, I am not yet that vocal in raising my views on different issues we have around. But, I’d like to speak out now through this blog, not just as a political scientist but as a Christian and a citizen of this state.
Also, as a student of UP Diliman, which is known for its very active political participation in terms of protests, let me introduce my perspectives on this so called “exercise of rights and responsibilities.”
“Protest is good because it is an exercise of rights. Protest is good because it informs the public of what is really happening around.”
I remember my CWTS classmates answering these when we were asked about our opinion on protest and citizenship. And, I agree to them. Nevertheless, is protest nowadays really just a sole practice of individual rights and liberty? Does this bring justice and equality? Or, is it the other way around?
"The liberty of the individual must be thus far limited; he must not make himself a nuisance to other people." -John Stuart Mill
For me, the politicians and the citizens both violate ethics. When government officials fail, they get all the painful curses from the people. But, when they do well, an outstanding performance, they don’t receive “thanks” as intense as the protest of the people whenever they fall on the negative side. They are rewarded; yes, but probably by the government, too. They praise each other, meaning to say.
Maybe, some will say, they don’t need to be recognized because they just do their job. It is their responsibility not an achievement. However, politicians can also question back, “Aren’t failures part of our job, too given that we’re just humans?”
Hence, if we acknowledge their roles, then we should also take in account their limitations. Besides, failures are not necessarily mistakes. Sometimes, they just get uncontrolled. Let us not be so insensitive that we look only on their dark side. We are humans too, and I’m sure we experience the same thing in our daily lives. Therefore, we must learn to understand to some extent. Motivate them and not further dump them down.
This time, let’s say, they really do something intolerable like graft and corruption. They must be ousted, that’s correct. But, our shouts cannot always push them out of their positions. Our commotions, with civilians affected and injured, are not applicable to all cases especially when the rights of others are disturbed. The danger is we treat protest as an immediate solution without thinking of its side effects. Sometimes, when we claim to inform the public, we even stir them up. Plus, we ignore the role of the media and their effectiveness in delivering information.
It all goes wrong because intelligent, legal, and proper way of resolving issues is always the most righteous among all means. Even if the “physical” justice agency declines, you have an edge because you are righteous. Believe that justice has its own movement and it acts whenever it needs to regardless of the people claiming to process it. And, even you, yourself, cannot just put it on your hands.
Moreover, if we know that these politicians have history of malicious acts, then we should already be careful. Let us be intelligent voters. Their ability to abuse their power roots to our own negligence as holders of “sovereignty” through election. And, to those citizens who are close to those “bad” politicians, please do not be selfish by conspiring. You cannot always be included in their ally especially when your contract to them or their term is done. National problems are most of the time long term. So, when we take part in the making of the problem, we will also be pestered by its impact. After all, we live under the same roof.
Meanwhile, when we complain, it is more just to first put ourselves to the shoes of those who are in positions. It is injustice in the part of the government when we only nag about their responsibilities and not consider ours. Our government holds and is responsible to a very small fund ought to be allocated among a very small (but rich in resources, as we say it) yet, has a very big population. If you are to do that, how will you execute your wonderful plans given that you “must” respond to the diverse interests and concerns of all the people you are accountable to?
See? When we won’t cooperate, no matter how our government tries to do their best and please us, they cannot always tend to succeed. Thereby, disciplining ourselves is a pre-requisite simply because we cannot correct others when we cannot correct ourselves.
We multiply too much! And when solutions are laid, we reject because of our beliefs and principles. If that’s so, then be responsible of your own choice. Lay your own solution. Do not let the government feed your own children! Anyway, it is you who experience that “happiness” in that “multiplication”. Do not let others suffer for your own exploitation.
Another scenario is in terms of education and employment. People beg for employments.. better employments when in fact they hold not qualified applications. Some say they do not finish their studies because of poverty, but what about those who graduated despite that? They are now living sumptuously because of their perseverance. They did not look on their disability, instead used it as an inspiration to keep going. If they can do that, why can’t we? Meanwhile, there are also some who have the guts to work but always rely on the “bahala na” traditions of the Filipinos. How will you get productive by slouching, crouching and depending on others and on what the government can help you?
“A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury.”- John Stuart Mill
Indeed, it is more effective to solve problems by looking on ourselves, and not by pointing others. Changing yourself, starting solving by yourself will have a big impact to the society, knowingly or unknowingly. Help yourself to help others. As this world thrives in scarcity, being selfish will only ail all.
"I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them." John Stuart Mill
Friends, let us also bear in mind that our government is comprised of citizens like us, only people. If we claim to exercise our rights, please be conscious of theirs, too. We live under the same law, the same constitution, the same bill of rights. Hence, they deserve respect as possessors of such. They are not our puppets, our puppies, our papas, and of course, not our god. They are not “panacea” producers although they try, too. They are our government who governs us, serves us, but to whom we obey. They are our government officials who get wrong and we are the people they are protecting who get wrong, too. If both of us do wrong, who will correct the state? What about doing good together? I think, that will even make sense.
"The duty of man is the same in respect to his own nature as in respect to the nature of all other things, namely not to follow it but to amend it."- John Stuart Mill
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