by Minguita Padilla, MD
Only the most callous person could have been spared from feeling some degree of outrage in the light of successive instances of blatant corruption that assaulted the nation’s collective psyche the last few months.
The ZTE NBN Senate Investigation, while far from being over, has already convinced even the most simple minded of individuals that the Filipino people would have been robbed of billions of pesos in kickbacks to shameless high ranking government officials had the would-be thieves not been stopped in their tracks.
Hardly had the revelations from the ZTE-NBN investigation sank in when we were again jolted by what could have been a scene from a very black comedy; paper bags of various colors and sizes with crisp thousand peso bills amounting to up to P500,000.00 each being blatantly distributed to government officials in the grounds of Malacanang.
So laden with arrogance and impunity was the incident, so lacking in any attempt at subtlety, so brazen, that even Secretary Eduardo Ermita was appalled. And true to form, almost as certain as the sun rises in the East, the cover-up that ensued was worse than the crime; utterly insulting to our intelligence, reminding us again of how little regard some of our top leaders have for our dignity.
Then came the Glorieta tragedy. So distrustful have our people become of government that the initial thought of many when the terrible explosion occurred in Glorieta 2 was that Government had a hand in it, a convenient diversionary tactic gone wrong, with more lives lost and damaged than planned. It did not help any that initial reports of C4 components surfaced, only to be drowned out completely in the days that followed. So deep rooted is the scepticism that despite the reports of the PNP pointing to a gas leak, many people still believe otherwise.
Finally, coming at the heels of all of these, like the an episode in a “telenovela” whose ending is still unknown, President Arroyo pardons Erap in a manner strongly criticized even by her allies for its haste and timing.
True, the peso has improved; investors are starting to take notice. Yet it has become more and more painful to remain a “thinking and feeling Filipino”. Because of the pain it is tempting to simply “tune out” and develop a defensive indifference to the intangibles that count as much, if not more, than money. But I am grateful for the pain; especially that brought about by the events of the last few months. Why? Because palpable around us now is a renewed sense of outrage where before there was none. Because more and more, we are hearing people who have straddled the fence say that they can no longer remain indifferent; that they must do something; anything! Because the crimes have started to hit close to home; and it has become clearer to even the apolitical and apathetic that the bells toll for them too.
That the pardon and the subsequent crumbling of the artificial divide between Gloria Arroyo and Joseph Estrada came in the wake of all the blatant corruption going on around us, is something to be grateful for. Suddenly things are much clearer for all who are thirsting for true reforms. Now many of us can say that we are not for or against either one of them as persons. We are against the kind of politics they represent; a politics that of late has morphed into a monster unrecognizable from what it should be; an almost purely transactional politics, one where personal survival takes precedence over all, where the limits of decency are regularly crossed without even blinking an eye; where the cloaks of honour and integrity have been discarded in favour of vestments soiled by greed and arrogance as they worship in the altar of impunity.
These are the worst of times. These are also the best of times. It is a dark chapter in our history. It is also a time of epiphany. And one word seems to shine brightly in the consciousness of those who are experiencing this rebirth, for it represents one important value or virtue now lacking in almost all aspects of our collective lives. The word is “Dangal”.
“Dangal” is a Filipino term that cannot be translated into one English word. It is honour, integrity, dignity, self-respect, principle, even nobility all rolled into one. And it must be brought back into our political life so that it can find its way back into all other aspects of our lives. Just as a fish starts to rot from its head, there too should reform start. But for this to happen, we, the people, to whom our public officials are accountable, must be catalysts for change. We must come to terms with the need for it in our lives then demand it from them. We must reject those who cannot or will not become the leaders we deserve, and embrace those who still hold this virtue within them. Perhaps then, a true and worthy opposition will emerge, one that truly represents the people’s aspirations for positive change instead of more of the same old, tired, ineffective, and self-serving type of politics we have suffered through for so long.
There are still many government leaders and members of the bureaucracy who embody “dangal” in the true sense of the word. They suffer along with all of us who are still capable of shame. There are also many Filipinos out there who are but waiting for the right signal from the citizenry that the time is ripe for a new breed of leaders to emerge. But many good people are unable to thrive or shine, and are in danger of being suffocated by those who will stop at nothing for darkness to prevail. We owe it to these good men and women; we owe it to ourselves, to make a concerted effort to bring some good back into our political life. The last national elections have shown that we are not helpless to effect change. We must put our minds and hearts into bringing “dangal” back into politics. The time is now. The possibilities are endless.
Dr. Minguita Padilla, an ophthalmologist, is president of the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines and the Drug Abuse Research Foundation. She, along with other like-minded citizens, formed a group whose primary aim is to bring honour, integrity, and dignity back into Philippine Politics and Public life through simple, practical, sustained efforts by the citizenry. For more information on how one may join the movement, write to balikdangal@gmail.com
What a noble purpose to bring back “dangal” in our midst. To those who have the desire to put back the broken pieces of democracy, the true rule of law, untainted public service, and plain decency, we owe it to our children and to future generations to restore what is right. It would be ideal for everyone to join this movement and to renew our commitment to a morally upright society. It might be hard to do if the people’s stomachs are empty and their motivation is to satisfy their basic physical needs obscures their focus. But on the other hand, these sufferings should reach a point of a collective outrage which will compel everyone to move and aim for desperate change at these desperate times.
The fake leader has seen to it that any attempt to change her will fail. She has fortified and strengthened her perimeter with corrupted men and women. Perhaps our only hope is for these wall of corrupt people to change hearts and cause the fake villain to fall when “dangal” is restored.
It is indeed a sordid spectacle to watch government officials, espeial at the top , go about without DANGAL. They have been conditioned to go naked of propriety and decency making them believe they are clothed properly and go about strutting arrogance and disregard of norms of civility. DANGAL is nothing now but a pie in the sky.
Who should be the TIME Person of the Year (for the Philippines) ?
TIME’s Person of the Year is the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill, and embodies what was important about the year.
Who do you think fit’s the bill this year for the Philippines?
1)Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
2)Joseph “Erap”Estrada
3)Joey De Venecia
4)Joe De Venecia
5)Ronaldo Puno
6)Manny Pacquiao
7) Jovito Palparan
8)Genuine Opposition
9)Jarius Bondoc
10)YOU
Ang taong may dangal, marangal.
Ang taong walang dangal, si goria macapagal.
No question, the movement for balik-dangal is good. But before joining the group, we should be informed on who are the people behind the movement.
Sure, you have elected the ‘opposition’ kuno,. but then, where do they stand now? even your president erap is dancing with the ‘queen’ now. soon jinggoy and jude will follow. matagal na sila sa politika kaya alam na nila ang ‘drill’.
this ‘dangal’ movement should not start from the top. we all know as soon someone enters politics, nasisira. i think we should start at the bottom. we should start at the masa who comprises 70% (?) or more of the population. if somebody could teach them to start at simple things, like huwag magtapon ng basura sa ilog pasig, sa mga imburnal (para din naman sa kanila yun). just got to MBW website to see the filth.
Gloria Macapal walang dangal, si Gloria Macapagal matagal na walang dangal, she lost it on her way to the Presidency.
11/2/07
People that are corrupt are born everyday. Like Saddam Hussein and his family they should be eradicated. Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts are beyond shame and decency. I really don’t know whats left with them.
Anong “dangal”? The politicos become trapos once they reach higher positions. We have to keep searching for leaders who can keep their “dangal” at any point in time. This is the secret of other nations who became first world countries. Their leaders have “dangal”! If they fail their countrymen, they would rather resign! Tiyanak is exactly the opposite. The more she commits crimes, the stronger she seem to become in pushing the envelope further to commit more crimes! Iba talaga ang yardstick niya ng leadership! Habang nabibili niya ang mga tao, she calls this achievement! Pathetic talaga!
I am just an ordinary Filipino.
I’m alarmed at the mischief that’s going on, day after day, in the highest corridors of power.
Just like most Filipinos, I am fed up!
We have a failure of leadership in a flawed political culture.
Too much misinformation and outright lies being peddled by the “system”.
The smart operatives can put out the most outrageous SPINS to fool us.
Jinggoy Estrada said he will not support the impeachment case filed against Gloria Arroyo.
Namputsa talaga itong mga Jose Velarde, kauri ng mga Jose Pidal.
Tareyevo, forget about erap and jingggoy. They have become irrelevant in our lives.
Their plan is for a Villar-Jinggoy ticket in 2010 supported by both gma and erap. Sila na lang.
Let’s watch out for Lacson-Binay.
TP, names of people behind the movement will be published soon.
Their plan is for a Villar-Jinggoy ticket in 2010 supported by both gma and erap. Sila na lang.-ellen
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“Former senator Ernesto Maceda gave a speech in which he suggested that the opposition might field Estrada’s son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, as a presidential candidate in 2010.
Estrada and his entourage went around Tondo in a motorcade that was warmly welcomed by residents.
A huge banner that welcomed the former president described him as “Ama ng Masang Tondo” (Father of the Tondo Masses)”. With reports from Rod Izon and radio dzMM
Ellen,
Baka naman Jinggoy-Mikey,maghahalo na ang balat sa tinalupan,ha-ha-ha-ha
Dangal is honor, integrity. That is what is badly needed to day.
The way our public officials behave, one would think honor and integrity have become obsolete. Just look at how those Pampanga officials rallied behind the chief cheat, gloria arroyo, and tried to malign Fr. Ed.
Look at how governors and congressmen reacted to the expose about bribery in the hallowed halls of malacanang. They hare without shame!
This is a worthy endeavor. Out present leaders are hopeless. I’m supporting this for our children. It’s our responsibility to the future generation.
I sincerely hope that “Dangal” will not be like those hundreds of groups of “do-gooders” which sprout and then vanish after the “photo ops” like their expected Club Filipino induction of officers and a “manifesto of indignation” with their pictures/signatures emblazoned on it.
I am not being cynical,BUT this usually happens because of “ningas kugon” and “Pinoy super egos”.
Good luck to DANGAL!
I like this article. Very accurate and timely. Kudos to you, M’ Ellen.
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It’s not the fault of the voters to have elected those candidates, for they had hoped that once elected, will be true to their words.
It’s not the fault of the voters to participate in the only peaceful option they have to effect change.
Otherwise, they will rise up in arms and hell will finally break loose.
The citizenry need better choices. We need more Panlilio, and Trillanes.
Where are you Men of Honor, Dignity & Vision?
Lead your countrymen before it’s too late.
SAMPOT:We,the people, are the Real Opposition to Gloria. There is no “principled political opposition” in this country.
As the spokesman of the United Opposition (ADEL TAMANO) admitted the other day ,they are”the loyal opposition”to Gloria.Freudian slip?
Don’t trust Pinoy politicians (administration or”opposition”).It’s a political game of the “INs versus OUTs” only.
“Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.”
Henry David Thoreau
“Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then?Juggernaut”
So inspiring! We should never abdicate ! We have as much right as the politician in shaping the destiny of our country.
After all,I am 100% sure that we pay more taxes that your typical congressman or senator!
bring back “DANGAL”. if only gloria arroyo didn’t lost dangal on her way to presidency. if only gloria arroyo didn’t act like saddam hussein. if only gloria arroyo didn’t act like she owns malacanan, our lives would have been great.
Giting, Tapang at Dangal.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
Ellen’s featured writer, Minguita (my college crush), a popular campus figure in Diliman in the early eighties, is a revelation. During that time, this beautiful lady did TV and print commercials and graced the pages of many glossy magazines. That’s aside from making the grade to enter the very competitive College of Medicine known for its tough admission hurdles and an equally-demanding curriculum. Now that she’s a doctor and could live a very comfortable life, she still finds time for her advocacies, playing active roles very untypical of professionals who are “made”. She’s a fine writer, too.
Kudos, Minguita, and good luck to DANGAL.
(Off-topic but related) This news is just in. Pakistan’s Musharraf has declared martial law, sez CNN. This comes at a time that their Supreme Court is to announce their decision widely-believed to nullify Musharraf’s recent poll victory due to ineligibility. He jumped the gun on the promulgation and initially declared a state of emergency as he has been warned by Condi Rice against decreeing martial law.
CNN’s sources, the private networks that have all been shut down since the emergency proclamation, report that martial law has been officially declared. Only the gov’t TV station is on air.
This reminds us of Feb. 2006 when Gloria proclaimed a state of emergency, which later reports say would have actually been martial law if not for the rabid refusal of then DND secretary, Nonong Cruz.
While Musharraf did win the vote by a large majority, and his survival hinged on preventing the Supreme Court’s rejection of his fresh mandate, Gloria cheated her way through the elections, surviving on a daily basis through contractual alliances, bribery, legal distortions, and even physical threat, in the process, committing more of the same sins week after week, scandal after scandal.
Wala na talagang DANGAL, kaya dapat nang MATANGGAL!
Btw, The Equalizer, is THAT Ramrod?
Magkaroon sana ng checklist at ilathala ng alin mang newspapers tungkol sa dangal. Umpisahan sa kung sino sa mga senatong, tongressmen, governatong at mayortong ang tumanggap ng cash gifts buhat kay goria walangdangal. Bibigyan ng pagkilala katulad ng sumusunod:
1. Karangalan – Sa mga hindi tumanggap
2. May natitirang dangal – Ang nagbulgar na tumanggap sila.
3. Walang dangal – Ang tumanggap pero ipinamahagi sa kanilang alipores.
4. Wala nang karangalan – Ang tumanggap at ibinulsa lamang ang cash gifts.
Correction sa no. 4. Tagos sa buto ang pagiging walang dangal. Maitim ang budhi at katulad ni goria macagarapal na walang dangal, mga walang kaluluwa.
tongue twisted:do yellow birds fly?
Where is the honor and dignity from all these morally depraved leaders in our country starting from the president? Their corruption is similar to prostitution.The only difference is that in the latter case the women selling their bodies can justify their behavior alleging the materially-minded necessity to survive and feed their children because there is no other means where the next food in the table coming from. But government officials, especially big kahunas, involved in illegal activity, have much more resilient needs as all kinds of Lexus, Mercedes and BMW, mansions and villas,luxury apartment for their mistresses number two and so on, bank accounts in offshore zones or their own mega- business and fabulous privileges which the scavengers and laborers did not even dream about. Corruption is no stranger in Malacanang; it is the famous and generous illegal tenant who squatted her arse into power. Money and personal connections to the president takes away from people any belief in social equality. Her greed and lust to power is one of the most important problem for development and is a paralyzing tax for poor people.Her mismanagement of country’s treasure is burden of debt for future generation such as the children down to the grandchildren of Maria Clara and poor Juan Dela Cruz.
It is no secret that people enter politics to enrich themselves. Of course, sasabihin nila na ang dahilan ay upang makapagsilbi sa bayan. At habang sinasabi nila yan, namimili sila ng boto para sila mahalal. At kapag nahalal na sila kasama na sila sa standard kickback na 20%. Hindi sila nakukonsensya dahil ang hinihingan nila ng kickback ay mga contractor, at ang pinagagawa naman nila sa contractor ay mga proyekto na makakatulong sa bayan. Karaniwang katuwiran nila ay: “Kung hindi ako mangungurakot, saan ko kukunin ang mga itinutulong ko sa mga nasasakupan ko. Kung sa sweldo ko kukunin ang mga ito, abunado pa ako.” Mali sila, pero sa kanilang isipan ay tama sila. Kaya nga, ang kurakotan ay tuloy-tuloy. Hindi ko alam ang solusyon, so somebody enlighten me. “Dangal,” what’s your solusyon?
Ato, first of all, “Dangal” will try to reinvigorate (I don’t know if that’s the right term) among us our innate values of honor and integrity.
I believe that in many of us, there is honor and integrity. It’s just that along the way, in this materialistic world, many of us have been co-opted. But no one is beyond hope.
Let’s sharpen values of honor and integrity. If we suceeed in that, it’s already victory.We save ourselves and our future generation.
“I believe that in many of us, there is honor and integrity. It’s just that along the way, in this materialistic world, many of us have been co-opted. But no one is beyond hope.ELLEN”
amen.
i recommend gloria arroyo to the “Dangal Award” {with asterisk}
vote gloria arroyo for the “Dangal Award”
In the kalabasa dangal award, yes.
Ato Kenny Says:
November 4th, 2007 at 10:05 am
It is no secret that people enter politics to enrich themselves.
It is indeed sad for such a group of people who flout all norms of decency in their only bid to capture power and enrich themselves It is hard how one can figure out what really is going in their minds.Our politicians are a pity on what they brought onto themselves.Their predicament is a culmination of the excesses that they have committed on the part of the people.Their lack of vision and far-sightedness and their intrinsic attitude,is testimony to the way they are treated.
The people who elected them are at fault as well.I think it is the prevailing system that is the culprit.But,the sad things most of these politicians could reasonably expect to remain in office for life,they mobilize vast sums of money and large numbers of political thugs to compete in politics in eliminating their political foes,use violence and corruption to rig their proteges into positions of influence.In return,they demand regular cash payments embezzled from government coffers as well as the right to control the distribution of government resources,jobs and contracts as patronage,using the power of their office to continually get re-elected and to enrich themselves and the special interests that supported them.These practices has no change;it us the people and the country to move on.But where do we start? We the people who have been sleeping for too long need to wake-up and immediately eliminate the corrupt practice and all other forms of legalized bribery in our government.Without the bribery,of course,the professional politicians quickly disappeared since there was no way they could enrich themselves by abuse of their positions of power.We can stop these corrupt practices through the power of our valuable votes and let’s all begin in 2010.
“May Dangal Ba Sila?”
Joseph Estrada:“On September 12, 2007, the Sandiganbayan finally gave its decision, finding Joseph Estrada not guilty on his perjury case and guilty of plunder “beyond reasonable doubt.” He was sentenced to Reclusión perpetua.”(Wikipedia)
Ferdinand Marcos:“Many despised Ferdinand Marcos’ regime, his silencing the free press, his dictatorial control, the imprisonment, torture, murder and disappearance of thousands and his shameless plunder of the nation’s treasury.”(Wikipedia)
How will history judge Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?
Gloria will be judged as the worst president-ever. She’ll never gain respect of the people even if she dies. Sad but true. The only way I can see her get just a little respect is for her to step-down now in which I don’t see happening. So, congratulations madame, you just bought your very own island in hell. Have fun living in it…
karumal-dumal sa dangal at karangalan ng isang Pinoy ang dapat igawad na banderitas kay Gloria;
kalabasang bulok naman sa nagpapahiwatig na ang masa ang siyang may kagagawan at dapat pagbuntunan ng sisi.
Am sure the word “Dangal” isn’t in Unano’s vocabulary anymore. She is garapal through and through! With the way things are happening in the country right now and the way she mishandles it, are obvious proofs that she is indeed a living example of a president (kuno) na WALANG DANGAL!
She has created a HELL of her own!
How will history judge Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?
The History and Social Studies textbooks is a forthcoming classroom debate that her name is second to Hitler, having criminalized the executive branch.Her lapdog congressman,rather than fighting to protect the Constitution are willing actors in the drama that is unfolding.Regaining power matters above all as long they received from the White Lady a bag full of cash.And they have cynically decided that the best way to achieve power is to ride the disintegration of Gloria’s corrupt administration to the bitter end, reaping the political benefits and ignoring the collateral damage of lives and constitutional damage.She will be condemned for leading the country down such a disastrous and dishonorable path.Her governance failed to establish the rule of law.
The worst crime of Gloria Arroyo is destroying democratic institutions and distorting our sense of values. Imagine. giving bribes right there in Malacanang, a few meters away from her bedroom.
She is shameless.
Gabriela, shameless is an understatement!