Opinion: Robredo – getting bribed or not to get bribed… that is the question

I have said this in the past: Accept it because it may have been from tax money. What they used to buy your votes, could be the money of the people. Accept it but vote whoever your conscience says. Don’t just vote because you think you would be indebted to them after receiving the money. For me, accept the money, but vote based on your conscience. We should arrest them because that’s wrong. But now it’s easy. Because today, we have apps like GCash, right? We have those, so vote buying would be easier” – Vice President Leni Robredo (26.10.2021).

The current day OVP and Liberal Party Presidential Candidate in the up-coming election in 2022 Leni Robredo. She has clearly taken a stance now. This trying to be popular and really politicking. In one way… she is against it, but still says people should accept it. That’s where I’m failing her on it.

Robredo needs guidance if she wants to be different and sincere. Than she should flat-out say the bribing voters is wrong. That this usage of funds, plunder and whatnot shouldn’t exist in the first place. This is a misuse of the state reserves and making the candidacy expensive. That’s because everyone needs their cut and their peso’s. It is also striking that it is commercialization of politics. Buying voters and giving them a short-term gains for a vote. Just like some come with soap, rice and whatnot too. It is the same, but that is it really.

Robredo isn’t tricking anyone with this. Let’s “accept the bribe” but not be “swayed by it”. Take the “free” money but don’t expect any sort of justification for it. Yes, the politician and the candidate cannot see what the voter does. However, the reality is that the citizens and the local communities will know who took the pesos. This is why the candidates are doing this. Because, they know which families and barangay’s where they will take the money. Therefore, they know who will most likely vote and be “swayed” into voting for someone.

It is not like Robredo doesn’t know this. It is a pay-off for a service. It is a bribe and no matter what size the bribe is. It is still a bribe and blatant misuse of funds, especially if this is taken from the state coffers. That shouldn’t happen in the first place and why should the citizens accept that? Why receive that? Aren’t they validating and participating in the illegal transaction?

If that is all true. Than the citizen shouldn’t take the money. They are on the receiving end and could be liable too. However, we know that the citizens cannot all be criminal and part of conspiracy to corrupt the system. Nevertheless, the politicians doing this is catering to the culture of this and they know the expectations too.

This is embedded and this is why she speaks of it in this way. Trying to influence, but also downplay the significance of it. Alas, there is the problem. She should be vocally against it. If you are against corruption and bribes. It should be a simple stance. The pork-barrels and the plunder cases is a worry for a reason. The same should voter-bribing be. No matter what method you use or sort of scheme of giving operations you have. It is still a way of paying-to-play and buying a favour. That is really it.

The peso’s is becoming more important than what sort of policies, political program or what gut-feeling you have. The politician can instead become a winner, because they are the ones who pays the most. They are the ones who are giving enough peso’s to make a difference. Because, everyone will hear the talk of the vast amounts and what sort of pay-off that is coming their way. The political allegiance will either get decent pay-off or a budget Jolibee menu.

Robredo should have just said: “I am against it and it’s a ghastly tradition. We are better than this and the COMELEC should disqualify anyone who does this or participate in it. Bribes is never acceptable and shouldn’t be in campaigns”.

Instead she went into mediocre tea territory. Robredo acted soft and meagre …. not having a stance worth mentioning. This is really it. We should expect more from her, but this is disappointing. The pesos are clearly more powerful than anything else. Peace.

North Korea: Press Statement by Pak Myong Ho, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK (22.10.2021)

Maldives: Maldives Revolutionary Movement (MRM) – Press Release (23.10.2021)

Burma (Myanmar): Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Release (22.10.2021)

Philippines: Oxford Philippines Society (OPS) – Official Statement on the Oxford Philippines Society on “BongBong Marcos”

ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC)/ASEAN People’s Forum (APF): Press Release (17.10.2021)

Burma: National Unity Government (NUG) – Press Release (16.10.2021)

Thailand: AstraZeneca – AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in Thailand authorised for World Health Organizations Emergency Use (14.10.2021)

India: Joint platform of the Central Trade Unions, independent federations and associations – Sale of Air India to Tata is virtually a free gift on 75th year of Independence (13.10.2021)

Opinion: Is “Bato” the “free transfer” of this COMELEC Window?

““He [Dela Rosa] is the one who is available. We’re not saying he is the best because originally we were pushing for Senator Bong Go,” PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel when asked if Dela Rosa is the best candidate the party has to offer as president” (Daphne Galvez – ‘PDP- Laban Cusi wing: ‘Bato’ not best presidential bet, but he’s available’ 11.10.2021, Philippine Daily Inquirer).

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Cursi-Faction seems to have had a bad transfer video. They are clearly not selling Senator Ronald “Bato” Del Rosa well. The PDP-Laban Cursi-Faction had another idea and the party had in August made another ticket.

However, they ditched that. As “Bong Go” became the VP candidate, instead of being the Presidential Candidate. This maybe why things got confused and the incumbent was retiring instead of standing as VP. Has also made the utter chaos inevitable.

Bato” isn’t a winning man. He is a useful man for the PDP-Laban. A loyal man and someone who is fighting the same causes as Rodrigo Duterte. This is why Duterte has vouched for him to stand as a President too. Nevertheless, the proof of here.

Bato” was the last choice and not the one they intended to field. The PDP-Laban is showing that they are not sending their best. They are sending the “free-transfer” and the one “available”. Not the candidate who has the ability or the heart to be there. Neither the person who has the popularity or charisma to takeover from Duterte.

So, when the PDP-Laban says this man isn’t the best and the only one who swiped right on Tinder. Why should the people pick up the ballot and vote for this man in 2022?

Heck, this is the last effort to have a full squad. His the last draft-pick and the “lucky loser” who just happened to be there. “Bato” isn’t even cutting it. That is apparent, when a spokesperson describes it like that.

Interviewer: “Well, why did you marry “Bato” Mrs. Del Rosa?”

Mrs. Del Rosa: “He was the only one man on the island, I had no other option”

Interviewer: “Seriously?”

Mrs. Del Rosa: “Yeah, what can a girl do? You are alone on the island and he is the only man there. He had to be the one for me”

The same apparently happened within in the PDP-Laban party. That is not a sign of strength, character or skills. It is the last ditch effort to pitch someone to stand as a President. At this point, the PDP-Laban should have reconciled with Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao. Since the Pac-Man or Pacquiao at least would look like a sincere effort. Now, they look clueless and panicky.

Yes, “Bato” got 19 million votes as a Senator in 2019. However, he is contesting in different race now and with other prospects. Why does he thin “soldiering on” is enough to become the Head of State? Is that how unserious the PDP-Laban has become.

The one who wasn’t worthy of a proper transfer, but could be picked up as Bosman player was fine and dandy. Well, that says more about the lack of coordination and planning in the final stages for the PDP-Laban. Which also makes things look ugly for “Bato”.

He looks stupid and also sounds unwanted. While his supposed to aspire for the highest office of the Republic. Peace.