in-a-cave:

It is shameful how blatantly apparent of a farce Philippine politics is to the rest of the world. Let us have a quick look, a rundown, perhaps a list of grievances, of the major personalities of the Philippine general election of 2010. Details may be a little biased. A little.

Noynoy Aquino, presidential candidate, Liberal Party. Current leader in the number of tallied votes for president. One of the major things he’s got going for him? He is the only son of beloved and deceased former president, Corazon Aquino. The very woman who took on the presidency after enduring the assassination of her husband, the then-opposition leader Ninoy Aquino, by ousting dictatorial president Ferdinand Marcos in the People Power Revolution. Being part of the Aquino dynasty, many Filipinos see him as the “good guy” of the elections. Regardless of his relative political depth or capacity.

Joseph Estrada, presidential candidate, PMP (Force of the Filipino Masses). Current second in the number of tallied votes for president. Former actor turned politician, made possible by his popularity at the box office. His rule ended in corruption and his ousting, leading to the current presidency of (then-vice president) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Convicted as a criminal, he has claimed the presidency of Macapagal-Arroyo, who would go on to pardon him of his crimes, as illegitimate.

Manny Villar, presidential candidate, Nacionalista Party. Current third in the number of tallied votes for president. As far as I know, he’s done a decent job so far as Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as Senate President.

Gilbert Teodoro, presidential candidate, Lakas Kampi CMD. Current fourth in the number of tallied votes for president. Also another competent candidate, running as chair of his party after Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo resigned and handed over the post.

With Teodoro, the list of presidential candidates with over a million votes each ends.

Jejomar Binay, vice-presidential candidate, PDP-Laban (Philippine Democratic Party-People’s Power). Current leader in the number of tallied votes for vice-president. Current mayor of Makati, financial capital of the Philippines, and current president of the United Opposition. Political history… other than a three-day stand-off incident wherein he barricaded himself in City Hall after having an order of suspension issued against him, not too dramatic.

Mar Roxas, vice-presidential candidate, Liberal Party. Current second in the number of tallied votes for vice-president. Was actually a leading candidate for the presidency, but has since then slid down to vice-presidential candidate in support of Noynoy Aquino. Critics claim, though, his real reasons for stepping out from the presidential race as seeking a “graceful exit” as his performance in the polls began to decline.

Loren Legarda, vice-presidential candidate, NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition). Currentthird in the number of tallied votes for vice-president. A notable environmentalist, she has numerous achievements in social development and human rights advocacy, and is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve Corps. And although not of Moro, or even Muslim, background herself, she is highly respected and has been given the honourary title of “Princess” by the separatist Moros of the southern Philippines.

And with Legarda, the list of vice-presidential candidates with over a million votes each ends.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, outgoing president, elected representative of the province of Pampanga. Known for a number of political scandals as well as corruption, like a number of her predecessors. Tried to hold on to power by attempting to create a prime ministerial post along with other changes to the governance of the Philippines, but failed and must now settle for being the first outgoing president to be elected to the House of Representatives.

Imelda Marcos, former first lady, elected representative of the province of Ilocos Norte. Wealthy and extravagant widow of deceased dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Known for quite possibly having the largest collection of shoes in all of known history at the expense of the Filipino masses.

Manny Pacquiao, world-renowned boxer, elected representative of the province of Sarangani. Known for being a Filipino hero, dominating and undefeated in the boxing ring. Unique among his listmates in that he has no political experience or expertise whatsoever, yet still feels he is competent enough to act as congressman having only graduated/completed high school. I will let that speak for itself.

I guess not everyone involved is totally incompetent in terms of the posts they are seeking. It’s just a shame that the Philippines has even gotten to this point, which is actually not surprising considering the rampant corruption that permeates most likely all levels of government. One would think that the Filipino people would not stand for such incompetency or complacency… At least we are some sort of a democracy. Perhaps, the nation is in need of another revolution.