On 28 October 2009, presumptive presidential contender Senator Chiz Escudero announced that he’s bolting the Nationalist People’s Coalition, his political party since he first joined the political foray in 1998.
Quoting some portions of his speech –
Una, sino man po ang nagpapaplanong tumakbo bilang pangulo, dapat wala pong partidong kinabibilangan –NPC, LP , NP, Lakas o ano pa man. Ang dapat na partidong kinabibilangan ng sino mang nagpaplanong tumakbo, dapat po Pilipinas. At lahat ng mga kapartido niya, dapat lahat din ng Pilipino.
It brings into the fore the concept of Partyless Democracy espoused by then President Manuel Quezon. Senator Escudero’s declaration reiterates the indictment made half a century ago of Philippine-brand political parties as mere vehicles for political patronage.
Again, quoting some portions of Sen. Escudero’s speech –
Hindi po pwedeng nakapiring ang mata, at nakabusal ang bibig. Dahil kung ganyan po ang mangyayari, dating gawi na naman at paano niya mareresolbahan ang mga problema ng ating bansa. Para po sa akin, hindi dapat idikta ng isang partido ang gagawin ng sino mang tatakbo. Dahil kung ganoon, paano niya mapapanagot ang mga tiwali sa gobyerno kung ito ay kagrupo o kasama niya.
A political party facilitates the democratic process: If it is wide and deep enough, it represents a cross-section of the electorate, together with their sentiments and their public choices. Clearly, a strong political party with a wide and active membership base is a good indicator of a healthy and thriving democracy.
But there is the other side of the debate that believes in the opposite: Political parties tend to simplify issues, and take moderate stands so as not to alienate voters. This practice results in compromises and horse-trading that will end up with political parties undistinguishable from each other.
But I am more of the hybrid type. I support the development of a strong party system if only to facilitate the democratic process. But if there are modes that will give the same result, if not a stronger democracy, then that mode is the more superior.
This election is about breaking barriers, building new frontiers, and doing away with old ways. Senator Escudero’s decision is a clear and unequivocal attempt to break away from the old mold.
Popularity: 1% [?]
I find it rather odd that Chiz just had an epiphany on “partyless democracy” today after virtually spending all his political career as a “party boy”. Perhaps all his years in public service have finally convinced him of the evil of party politics Philippine-style.
My concern at the moment is practical. Surely Chiz would still need financiers and an organization to finance and operate his campaign. Does he envision running a “guerrila” campaign like that organized by the Pampanga supporters of Gov. Panlilio in the 2004 polls?
That’s what happens when we prostitute the definition of a party system into one that is simply an electoral money machine devoid of ideology and platform.
Unfortunately, not everyone is married to Sharon or Vilma and can be independent of a party and win.
Dean
his arguments are so lame.
It seems the epiphany of Chiz was caused by Danding’s refusal to fund his cabdidacy.
That’s why the sourgraping -
“Hindi po pwedeng nakapiring ang mata, at nakabusal ang bibig. Dahil kung ganyan po ang mangyayari, dating gawi na naman at paano niya mareresolbahan ang mga problema ng ating bansa. Para po sa akin, hindi dapat idikta ng isang partido ang gagawin ng sino mang tatakbo. Dahil kung ganoon, paano niya mapapanagot ang mga tiwali sa gobyerno kung ito ay kagrupo o kasama niya.”
How sure are we that it’s the other way around: that Chiz wants to do what is right, that’s why some people refused to finance his candidacy?
Everything is speculative at this moment, even those reported out in media.
what is the “right” thing that he wants to do?
Oh please, what are you taking us for?
“How sure are we that it’s the other way around: that Chiz wants to do what is right, that’s why some people refused to finance his candidacy?”
He just discovered what is right after 11 years in the party? Come on,tell that to the marines.
I heard dznn’s interview of Chiz regarding this a while ago.
He replied that it was not because of this, and it was purely out of principle. He got out with consent of most of the party members without any negative sentiments involved.
@ danny
that’s a good question. that was on the interview too. He said that he is just getting out because he believes that the president should not be chained to any party when making decisions for the country. It is on the context of the presidency.
When he was with the NPC, many of his party mates sided with the Gloria Administration even when he was pushing for her impeachment at the same time. He was fine with it since he knows that the party have different takes on the issues. But as he said it is different when the position of presidency is involved
Impressive.
I see Chiz as a new politician who is willing and able to address the problems in the perspective of the Filipino individual. He is not dictated by the interest of a few but serves solely on his vision and mission for the people as a country.
I remember an interview when he said (to an effect of)
‘sawa na akong magreklamo sa mga issues sa politika kaya naisipan kong sumali at gumawa na lang ng pagbabago sa sarili ko.’
1. Represents the Filipino youth
2. He initiated and persistently supported for the impeachment of Gloria Arroyo. Gloria later then refused budget for Sorsogon.
3. He advocates nationalism. Usually speaks straight Filipino which is a rarity in politicians nowadays.
If I were Noynoy, I would follow the same thing (as Nick Perlas recommended) and get out of the LP. Partisan politics (more like factionary in reality) is becoming a tool for those aiming more on power or wealth.
@GabbyD,
I think your question is more about his Program of Governance. As to that, you better ask his campaign staff. I’m not here to speak in behalf of him or his campaign staff. I believe they can answer your queries.
my point is simply, if he left becomes of some principle of governance, why didnt he just say, “i dont agree with their position on X”.
instead, he uses language like “, dapat wala pong partidong kinabibilangan –NPC, LP , NP, Lakas o ano pa man. Ang dapat na partidong kinabibilangan ng sino mang nagpaplanong tumakbo, dapat po Pilipinas”
he is therefore accusing NPC of being anti-filipino/pilipinas.
any proof? any argument? anything? wala. anything that differentiates him and his former party? wala.
Pinoy-in-Pinas politics…. Pinoys really love slogans. Tinagalog lang ni Chiz in his own words iyong “my loyalty to my country begins where my loyalty to my party ends.”
In the meanwhile, have you sent your avatar-recommendation to NoyiNoy yet?
“This election is about breaking barriers, building new frontiers, and doing away with old ways. Senator Escudero’s decision is a clear and unequivocal attempt to break away from the old mold.”
hahaha. This is only true if he has done this from the start. He’s just sour graping because the Danding or the NPC will not bank roll all his campaign requirements. He is not breaking away from the old mold, he is the youngest trapo of them all. hahaha.
Chiz voted against Danding’s interest in the coco levy and the JPEPA votes. Those votes tell me indicate that he is not trapo, and that he is indeed about “a clear and unequivocal attempt to break away from the old mold.”
Certainly away from the trapo molds of Villar, Teodoro and the LP mold that Noynoy is comfortably settling into.
It’s either Danding decided to support either of his nephews, Noynoy Aquino or Gibo Teodoro. But with the recent move of Loren Legarda, an NPC/NP coalition with Villar/Legarda tandem is also possible.
When that happens, it would be Noynoy/Mar vs. Villar/Legarda
That would make Loren a ‘Trojan Horse’, what with Danding making bed with his nephew Noynoy.
Will Villar bite the bullet? I don’t think so.
Dear Bert,
That is sooo graphic. Am still reeling from the image of Loren as a horse. Now I have to deal with the image of an old man and his balding nephew in bed!
Galing!
Dean
It would be interesting that Danding will be looking for someone to invest in. Someone to profit on. To protect the oligarchy’s lands maybe? He already stole from the coconut farmers a long time ago.
This is what partisan politics has become.
He already has a trojan horse – blood is thicker than water.
Okay, with Villar/Legarda, you have the bad and the good. Who’s the ugly? Danding? Or is he the bad? What does that make Villar? Legarda can’t be the ugly.
Ohhh, this is so fascinating. Can we get it on ABS/CBN? Prime time for sure. Who will play Legarda I wonder . . .
That reminds me, did Christina Reyes ever get off the roof of her house? I kicked in my TV when I realized that showing her weeping is ABS/CBN’s idea of hard-nosed reporting . . .
Joe
Famous Last Words:
Referring to the present dispensation and his political plans, Escudero has said, “We have already suffered and sacrificed for seven years, what is two years?”Chiz
ha ha ha ha….. parang kelan lang Chiz was the “toast” of cvj and manuel b and their civil society ilks.
Chiz 2nd place finish in the last senatorial election was to me the very epitome of what is very wrong in Philippines politics. People voted out of hatred and vengeance , very persolanlity based rather than principle based.
And its really funny because the civil society who anchior their politics and advocay on morality are the prime movers of this kind of politics. And they always end up putting into power the wrong people. Pero sige pa rin sila ng sige hanggang ngayon…
Look they even have the “kapal muks” to to convince us that Noynoy is the best preisdential candidate
Friend, cite me one country wherein the personality of their leaders is not an issue or basis in their politics.
Punona:
In other countries, personality is just one part of the equation.
Unlike Philippine-style politics (if I am to base it on the writings of Margallo and Buencamino) where “personality traits” is the ONLY basis for selecting a candidate.
So, yeah, we will gladly vote an incompetent into office as long as he is “honest” then we wonder why things deterioriate.
Honesty alone will not do the job, honesty+competence+vision+exemplary accomplishment increases the odds of not only getting the job done, but getting it done, right – Nick Perlas merits more attention than Noynoy.
BongV, you are misrepresenting what Abe Margallo and Manuel Buencamino have written. Besides, character is something that goes beyond personality.
cvj:
assuming all candidates have the same character and honesty:
Perlas vs Aquino – who has the most competency, achievements, and vision?
Manolo Quezon.
Yup – but he is breaking the old mold – to retrogress into an older mode. :)
The political parties in the Philippines are mostly controlled and
founded by the Oligarchs. Money is funded by them. So, if you win,
you have to serve their interests. This may be one of the reasons
Mr. Escudero bolted his party.
During my student days. That issue was on the table of discussions
during “teach in”. That is the reason , the proletariat has to
struggle to remove this class monopoly. I had overcomed that thinking
as I grew older.
Party politics is not bad per se what is bad is a party without a real platform and is run by personal interest. When a party is run by personal interest then it is what in truth runs our current politics under traditional politics but when a new party emerges, one that is run by platform and genuine service then it is a party worth being part of.
“Political parties tend to simplify issues, and take moderate stands so as not to alienate voters.”
I’m not sure I agree if I look at the US Republican party which has effectively been hijacked by the conservative Christian bloc, which has the big cash. So there is the party, and as Hyden points out, the money that allows it to function.
When the party controls the candidates, the candidate cannot have personal principles, he must toe the party line to gain financial support for re-election. Same same, US, Philippines.
I would argue for banning political parties, but allowing candidate founded election fundraising committees that have an authorized lifespan of one election cycle and are closed 60 days after election, with any direct attempts to influence legislation or decisions made illegal. So the moneyed people can put their horse in office, but they can’t ride it . . .
Joe
Even US political parties are trying the art of triangulation, adopting key policies from both sides of the political fence, then positioning the party to be a centrist.
It is a universal principle that politics is about addition.
Baby trapo!!!