Corruption and Incompetence

MANILA, Philippines — I am quite disappointed with actors running for office. Corruption is not the only major problem in our country; incompetence is another.

Why do entertainers run for office? The answer is that the entertainment business is on the decline, as people can no longer afford cinema tickets, which is why they buy pirated DVDs. And there is a lot of money in politics.

I have lost confidence in our country’s ability to progress because of the incompetent people in government. I feel so ashamed to invite my friends to go to our country for a holiday, as they themselves have lost their trust in us. I am tired of praising the country, although there are beautiful places for my foreign friends to see.

I hope the intelligent people out there will wake up and run for office. — Josephine Lewis, Channel Islands, United Kingdom (via e-mail)

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In the research company where I work here in Boston, most of my co-workers from different countries know about the Philippines and its political circus. I am so embarrassed that most of them make fun of our having several members of one family trying to grab seats in the Senate.

I would like to appeal to my fellow Filipinos. We need to end political dynasties. — Coco Alinsug, Boston, Massachusetts (via e-mail)

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“I am, of course, saddened by the fact that after all these years, Erap [former president Joseph Estrada] will not endorse my candidacy,” Vicente Sotto III lamented.

What did he expect after abandoning ship? He is such a fool to even hope for an endorsement. — Constante Burgos, San Jose, California (via e-mail)

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Actors Richard Gomez and Cesar Montano have this illusion of becoming effective and productive at the Senate. To them I say: Your gain will be the people’s million-dollar pain for the next 20 years. You can’t do the job and your brains are not meant for politics. But if your intention is just to get rich — filthy rich — then join the stinking bandwagon.

To Tito Sotto: I used to look up to you as a politician and lawmaker of principle, but your party-switching sucks! — Pablo Escobar, Cebu City (via e-mail)

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I am not going to vote for Aquilino Pimentel III. I have just listened to the Q&A on the INQUIRER.net podcasts. The answers he gave were those of a neophyte. He needs more experience.

If this message reaches him, I would like to say: Sir, if you ever win, I hope you will do something that will change the lives of the people, especially the poor. I am sorry, but you have to convince me on why I should vote for you. — Stephen Vito, Mandaluyong City (via e-mail)

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I have lived in Sydney for 25 years, and for my retirement years, I am very tempted to go back to my country of birth.

The economic indicators and the stable peso are an incentive for me to buy property in the Philippines. However, I am wary of the political situation in the country if the opposition wins the election and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is unseated through people power or impeachment. That would surely bring the peso down. That is the only downside I see in investing in the Philippines.

On the other hand, now is probably a good time for me to invest and just hope that the political situation will stabilize and the Filipinos will not vote for opportunistic oppositionists who will undo the six long years of economic hard work that the present administration has done. Emiliano de Guzman, Sydney, Australia (via e-mail)

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I find Representative Francis Escudero very articulate and knowledgeable about most of the issues that our electorate needs to know. He deserves to win as senator, hands down. I hope that he will continue to keep his convictions even if the cost is high.

Long live all the GO candidates! Cheer up, for the good will always triumph. — Yoly Tuadles, Gardena, California (via e-mail)