always in the crossfire

we are supposed to change politicians every three to six years.  yet we do not change them. especially at the local level. somehow we have already swallowed the notion that these politicians are entitled to three successive terms.  whether they have done well or not.  at the barangay level, leaders are supported by the mayors, who in turn get supported by the barangay leaders themselves. as do the congressman need the mayors. and so on going upwards.
the incumbents have all the government resources to back them up. the opposition needs to have a lot of money to be able to upset incumbents. all these for a measly pay. yet many of these supporters are so staunch and so determined even risking life or limb in the process of defending their favored candidates.  many get killed, and when the smoke clears, the politicians shake hands. while those who risked life for their candidates are forgotten.
in any election, the politician, whether he loses or wins, still stands. amid those who are caught in the crossfire, they would offer a few thousand pesos and a few inspiring words.
we may not know it, but high up, these seemingly opposing camps are really bosom buddies.

cheapskate

one thing i dislike among us filipinos is the habit of always finding cheaper goods or services.  this is just rational economic behavior. however, we do not mind whether the product we are buying is substandard or underweight. we do not care whether what we are buying are sometimes stolen goods for as long as it is good enough. we buy cellphones off the streets knowing they are stolen. or we patronize the home-based petrol dealers. the ones who sell gas in 1 liter softdrink bottles. some of them even water down the petrol in the hope of  gainign more. we know these are stolen goods yet we patronize them.
we also buy the best china phones knowing well these are imitations of known brands. we shy away from known and reliable brands because they are expensive, and prefer relatively unknown brands which could really be re-labeled. cheapskates we really are!

this sends a clear message to manufacturers to make more of substandard goods.

this is a clear message to snatchers to steal more cellphones.

this is a message to home-based dealers to sell more of stolen gas.

this is a message to steal more from each other.