I had only one takeaway after reading Cocoy’s latest piece The President Priest:
Platform, please.
But before I go on, allow me the honour of first giving credit where it is due, as the eminent blogger Rom had already beat me to the punch in some aspects of what I will go on to express in this blog post. Presumably addressing most political commentators, she writes:
We get it. Left and right, people are declaring their intentions to run for president; each one claiming to be riding the crest of public clamor; nearly all of them running on a platform of righteous anger and sweet revenge.
And pundits – both on-line and in the mainstream – continuously feed the egos of these wannabees by devoting column-inches and blog posts to their merest utterances. But more than just feeding egos, this predilection to writing up every little off-the-cuff remark, every bluster, and every knee-jerk reaction of these aspirants for the presidency (not presidentiables, mind you, because in the strictest sense of even that made-up word, they are not presidentiable) adds the patina of legitimacy to what would otherwise be dismissed as plain and simple chicanery.
My humble contribution to this brilliant message delivered by my most venerable peer in this corner of the Pinoy blogosphere is a simple follow-through challenge — a handy footnote that I recommend be added at the end of every subsequent piece of punditry to be dished out on the whoevers and whatevers of the coming 2010 Presidential Elections:
Platform, plez.
I realised after posting the above along with the rest of the comment in Cocoy’s piece …
If he has none [such platform] to present, then he’s just another trapo because his pitch is quite traditional; i.e., appealing to Pinoys’ vacuous low-thinking-applied sensibilities.
… that we may as well be using “Platform, plez” as a standard reality check to just about EVERY snippet of insight or “endorsement” we are yet to see in the blogosphere and Philippine Media concerning any particular bozo making a bid for that lucrative seat in Malacanang.
I propose that any kind of “insight” on any “candidate” for the next Presidential “elections” that does not pass my brilliantly simple platform, plez test, be considered for filing in our growing archives of useless political “insight”.
There simply are no more excuses for politicians not having a platform of some sort, much less this one:
[...] but then again, panlilio and all the other politicians yeing the post are holding out and will likely continue to do so until after they have filed their certificates of candidacy. umiiwas muna ata para di magkagayahan ng plataporma [maybe they are stalling for now to avoid politicans' plagiarising one another's platform].
The irony here is that the people and The Media possess the power to FORCE these politician bozos to reveal their platforms NOW. By accepting that they are “holding out” for whatever reason, we are implying that availability of said information is subject to their terms.
Payag ba kayo niyan?
Ironic, because turning a different face, we are so quick to wave our fists and chant Patalsikin na! Now na! on Manila’s streets at the drop of a hat. Yet here we are deliberately overlooking the absence of the whole point of presenting one’s self as a candidate to consider for the Top Job. If we go by the principle that one wants to become president because there is something he/she envisions for our society over the next six years, then the inexcusability of not having a platform NOW becomes quite clear.
I’d accept it if the case were that we the electorate and The Media were just simply too limpdicked to demand that all these “presidentiables” reveal their platforms (we have a trackrecord of being such flaccid citizens, anyway).
But the more interesting question is this:
Does it even occur to us to demand that a platform be articulated by these candidates?
The disturbing answer to that question has been staring us in the face for quite some time now:
No it doesn’t.
That we have allowed dozens of political “parties” and dozens of presidential “candidates” and thousands of political “analyses” to propagate none of which deliver the slightest hint of a vision for our hapless lot says a lot about how we see democracy working for us.
It’s one thing to be afraid to demand that our candidates reveal their respective platforms. But it is another for such a demand never to have occurred to us in the first place.
The first implies a fear for the need to think (something I’ve strongly asserted many times), but the latter is even worse — it implies a complete lack of any inclination to do so.
Anybody can wear a T-Shirt…
[Addendum: See the new Platform, plez animated graphic below. First seen online on FilipinoVoices!]
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True enough, Benign0. “platform plez” is what’s needed but i don’t think we’ll get it.
I don’t know if I’m correct, but I think his credibility is his platform.
Ugh! What the hell difference does that make? I have credibility. You have credibility. My cat has credibility.
Credibility = some degree of respect earned on the basis of character.
Platform = statement of principles and/or proposed actions.
My cat doesn’t have a platform. But he is credible. Maybe he should run for president.
Ben K,
Might be an improvement.
Joe
Presidency is about leadership, and leadership is also about influence. Influence operates by trust, and trust is primarily a function of credibility.
Even if a leader has a sound platform, but if he lacks credibility his leadership may turn out to be ineffective because
he will lack the impact (that influence creates) to empower those he will led.
A leadership without credibility is like a sailboat with a missing sail. Like a sailboat with a missing rudder is a
leadership without a sound platform. Both credibility and platform are very much needed. But yet, a nation needs more
than just a credible leader with a sound platform in order for it to really progress ahead.
Good leaders can only do so much their part of the whole effort of building a nation. The rest of the bigger effort is for the people to accomplish — or nothing can be called real national progress.
LOL. Pinoys still stick to personalities over issues. And that’s why we suck.
Would it be better if Filipino voters were more misanthropic? haha
this could be a great project for FV.
1) send emails to candidates with questions on specific topics
2) the candidates give back their responses. most will be inadequate (not specific, etc)
3) resend to press for more detail
at the end of the 3 steps, the end product would be published on this blog.
the names of the candidates who didn’t bother to clarify their answers in step 3 ought to be publicized (and frankly, criticized)
Fantastic idea. Here’s an interesting website that did something similar during our 2008 elections:
http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008/comparethem.html
Maybe give you some ideas.
hahaha, they gave space for colbert! funny…
some questions from – http://filipinovoices.com/personalities-andvs-issues
what are the prospective candidates’ views on the following:
* Economic Crisis
* Corruption
* Crime
* Human Rights Violations
* Foreign Direct Investments
* Personal Taxes
* Health Care
* Savings
* Budget Deficit
* Education
* Energy Security and Gas Prices
* Food Security
* Homelessness/Squatting
* Securities Fraud
* Medicare
* Taxing Business
* OFWs
* Free Trade
* Foreign Policy
* Jobs and Wages
* Small Business
* Finding a Peaceful Solution to the legitimate demands of the Bangsa Moro
* Decentralization/Federalization
* Foreign Ownership of Real Property
* Charter Change – What specific amendments are being proposed?
* National Defense
* Judicial Independence
* Press Freedom
* Privacy
* Infrastructure Development
* Reproductive Health
* Church and State Separation
Benigno, this topic was raised by Bong last April
http://filipinovoices.com/personalities-andvs-issues
This was my comment: In addition, here are some more issues and questions I would like the politicians to tackle
environment and enforcement of regulations
child labor and prostitution – why are there so many kids working along the road when they are supposed to be in school
land reform/land management and policies – indiscriminate conversion farms to subdivisions?
I think platforms are important, but fall third in line behind: (1) character, and (2) ability to get things done. All the proposed good deeds that can be listed mean nothing if they are: (a) lies, or (b) tied up by disorganization or the Legislature.
Joe
I agree with you Joe
(my apologies if this will come as a duplicate comment. my first attempt didn’t get through for some reason)
i agree with your ‘platform plez’ campaign. i’ve been espousing a similar approach in my own blog. here’s a link to my humble attempt http://www.scribd.com/doc/15457533/Hindi-Ako-UtoUto-Movement.
there should really be a move to educate the public to demand more from all political candidates especially those eyeing the presidency. we should not only demand for platforms but also be able to determine if what they’re giving us are just motherhood statements or worse, as joe america puts it, lies.
i can relate to rom’s sentiments about punditry about presidential candidates. i am guilty of that myself and i admit ‘nakakaumay na.’
i support ‘platform plez.’
I’ll be coming up with a graphic or animated .gif for the platform plez “campaign” soon. Watch this space!
Benigno,
asa pa kayo sa mga pulitikong ito. kita mo na lang, sa commercials na lang nila, walang wala na. kay mar, chummy. kay villar, nagpapabata. kay noli, bayad utang. kay gilbert lang me kaunting katinuan.
sa mga presidential fora nga, wala na silang isagot kundi motherhood statements. walang lalim.
it’s all our fault. pumapayag kasi tayo na babuyin tayo ng mga hinayupak na yan. pumapayag tayo na ganyanin tayo ng mga yan dahil me tendency tayo na ” pwede na yan.”
kaya hayun, nagkaroon tayo ng presidenteng hindi nakatapos…at ang tingin sa Office of the President, “Office of the Mayor.” Kaya hayun, me dalawang mayor na gustong maging pangulo…me real estate magnate na nangangarap takasan ang mga kasalanan niya sa pangungurakot by running for the presidency…at meron tayong mahilig sa green dahil green na siya dati pa. you get what i mean.
i can understand your sentiment. we might be wishing for the stars in asking that they give us their platforms. but there’s always a way.
i’d like to think that the period leading to the elections is the time when we, the ordinary citizens, have some real power over these politicians. they want our votes? let’s make them work hard for it. but instead of asking them to bring ‘artistas’ to their campaign sorties and regale us with cheap entertainment why don’t we demand that they give us their clear and concrete plans for the country.
as you said it’s all our fault. well, let’s start changing that, now.
educate.. educate.. educate…
more articulation of issues
more localized townhall meetings…
on the AM radio… and on late night prime time TV
more websites that qualitatively and quantitatively benchmark pinoy politicans’ experience, performance, proposed policy directions
Blogger Patricio Mangubat wrote these articles that are clearly inconsistent with his “sentiments.”
http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/2009/07/senator-manny-villar-got-my-vote-today.html
http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/2009/01/mar-roxas-and-search-for-maginoo.html
While it seems rather convenient to leave agreeable comments in the hope of gaining one’s own blog/s some exposure, I don’t think Filipino Voices would stand for saying one thing and doing another, as he has.
What’s unclear is, is Mr. Mangubat’s lamentations real? Or is he endorsing Roxas? Or maybe he’s switched to pushing for Villar? He has changed his position/opinion in a short span of time at least twice — all without platforms! Is consistency asking for too much? Is the average Pinoy this easy to sway and recruit? Ay, sus.
Amen to Platform, Plez.
ito na ang pagkakataon na magbago
pat:
would you know of any initiative similar to – http://www.votesmart.org/npat_about.php
isn’t it about time?
excerpts:
Hey Patricio,
Didn’t you GUSH about Mar Roxas’ Padyak2 on Facebook?
“Mar Roxas just released his latest television ad. I think this is, by far, the strongest ever commercial I have seen in a long while. It still has the trademark “bandwagon effect” strategy, positioning Mar in the middle of a throng. What is commendable in this second Padyak installment is the very strong and emotionally-charged script. Ramdam mo. Ako randam ko dahil dumadaan ngayon sa matinding financial na pagsubok ang aking pamilya. Pero, kailangang lumaban.”
See what I mean?
This isn’t ad hominem. This is fact:
He is incredibly inconsistent, which brings every other of his supposed convictions into question.
He’s learned a lot from the very politicians he writes about hasn’t he?
Incidentally, I have asked Bayani Fernando 3 questions.
1. GMA support
2. Teodoro effect
3. Pink
His answers:
1. Cannot speculate
2. hasn’t been in the party that long
3. Pink – extremely long explanation about “pink flesh”
Your right, We are afraid to ask important questions that really matter. We are content with pleasing mission/vision statements and cheesy slogans. Unfortunately in my case the audience lapped up the Pink is better answer that I can’t help but wonder why they don’t give a rat’s ass about “True” political will. And to top it all of I was asked to sit down after 2 questions jeezz..
Most of the people aspiring to run for Presidency dont even know
what they are getting into. They just want to succeed the incumbent
President. They have no way of knowing or defining the present
problems of our country. They dont have any presentable solutions to
solve the insurgency of the NPA, MILF, and other armed insurgents.
They dont know how to make efficient the Mobile Work Force (OFW), that employs many of our people. Do they address this OFW problem?
No sir. They dont have a viable Energy policy and program.
How about their solutions to our present unemployment condition
of the country?
I can enumerate hundreds of the pressing problems. Ask any of the aspirant. If he or she can give a good Carabao Sense solutions
to these problems. He or she does not even know about the problems.
If he or she just aspires and runs for the sake of running. Then, it
does not make sense to us all. There will be trouble again for us.
“Most of the people aspiring to run for Presidency dont even know
what they are getting into.”
Didn’t Erap once say, “Di ko akalain ganitong kahirap maging presidente!”
Hahahahahaha.
“I’ll be coming up with a graphic or animated .gif for the platform plez “campaign” soon.”
Hhhmmm. You know Benigs, this la chose plez could be addicting.
So will it be Plezident De Castlo, Teodolo, Goldon, or again Estlada? :)
benigno, i just noticed that the focus of your blog post and that of rom, were the presidential “wannabes”. shouldn’t we demand “platform plez”, as listed by bongv, from each and everyone who seeks political office, particularly in positions of making national policies and implementing them, e.g. senators and congressmen, as well as the president, and local decision-makers such as governors, mayors, board members, councilors and barangay chiefs?
it should start from the individual elector but an enlightened media, both mainstream and alternative, would be of big help. the media should have a sense of responsibility of voluntarily curtailing publicity on the inane and self-aggrandizing utterances of politicians, show-biz campaigns, erap-style distribution of bayong-full of cheap rice, ramen noodles and sardines, palengke tours, among other ridiculous gimmicks and come-ons.
as to “lies” that american joe and patricio mangubat fear about, we all should learn how to hold politicians to their words and to make them pay politically, if not legally for acts of insincerity. btw, i think a return to the old 4-year term for presidents, with 1 re-election, should be revisited and seriously considered.
Ahmadinahjad of Iran won the election by fraud and by giving
Potatoes to the impoverished Iranians.
Erap did the same. Rice, freeze dried noodles, tuyo, etc…
Manna from Heaven for your votes. At least, they made people have
good meals fro awhile.
Bencard, actually you’re right on the ball. “Platform plez” could be a catchphrase that could be applied to any kind of BS dished out by any kind of politician.
They can dish out all the platitudes, slogans, and off-the-cuff “promises” in the world. But at the end of the day, they have to be able to step up to a simple challenge: Platform, plez.
BenK also hit upon another brilliant idea. Check out his latest blog My Cat Should be President. Of course the risk there is not too many Pinoys can grasp satire. But then I think we can drive the point across that any moron can run for office in the Philippines with the sort of campaign pitches that Pinoys have gotten so comfy with over the last half century.
The road will still lead to the million-peso challenge: Platform plez. An ability to respond to that challenge intelligently is what will differentiate the proverbial cat from the human politician.
Otherwise we all may as well vote for a cat in the 2010 elections.
B0:
what if we turn the catchphrases into T-shirts.
* Platform Plez
* My Cat Can be President
T-shirt sales can be used to pay for an FV advocacy, web hosting upgrade, etc.
Hey, that’s a great idea, BongV. Perhaps we can get some kind of T-Shirt design contest going even…
“10 to 25”
Anyone convicted of buying votes gets 10 to 25 years in the clink. Design is vertical stripes.
Joe
great blog benigs…
I want to know HOW the candidates create employment. WHERE to get subsidization and expenditure principal ( Debt? Bonds, T Bill , VAT or combination) WHAT industry in the marketplace has stronger potential for growth and employment ( your scalability and productivity will apply here benigno) WHEN is it going to be implemented and its expected result.
I am expecting the following measurable result:
=Increase employment by 5-10% of population every year and increase minimum wage by 5 to 10% every year.
= Improve banking system and technology advancement to reduce money laundering and improve financial transparency.
= Favorable interest rates for small business and will create 5-10% of PINOY entrepreneurs in 4 years.
How? What? When? , Where? and Who ?
Promises must be measurable….
agree with bencard “we all should learn how to hold politicians to their words and to make them pay politically, if not legally for acts of insincerity.”
Acts of Insincerity can also be a crime of Recklessness and Gross negligence of PUBLIC duty.
Granting that some candidate would be willing to discuss his platform in detail, would a substantial number of the voting population really understand what is being talked about?
I doubt it.
For starters, just try explaining why ACEF isn’t making our agriculture COMPETITIVE to our farmers and test them for comprehension.
Ang naiintindihan lang talaga ng masa eh,
“Ang nanggaling sa mahirap, nanggagantso — esteh — tumutulong sa mahirap.”
“Maraming nagdaan dito… Ikaw lang ang tumigil.” (Kasi na-flat ang gulong padyak sa sobrang bigat mo.)
There are a lot of things on a platform and it could load up these politiko’s heads… but they have to load up their heads. Thinking critically and correctly really hurts the brain. But it’s necessary. No pain, no gain. I wonder if Panlilio has any wind of this principle. I hope he doesn’t fall into the trap of, if thinking hurts too much, he’ll stop thinking.
that’s the beauty of having a non-thinking electorate :)
no need for candidates to think :)
just appeal to the emotions – ayos na
Check out the new Platform, plez animated logo at the bottom of the above blog post. Better yet, download it here!!
nice one.. but do you have something a bit bigger?! for a forum/email sig? thanks!
Thanks. All the current and future paraphernalia can be found here:
GetRealPhilppines.com/PlatformPlez
Perhaps you will find the size of the banner head (the graphic in yellow at the top of the page) more suitable for your purposes…