Can You Really Trust Politicians? I Mean, Really? (Why I Think They're All the Same)

I always hope I'm wrong. Really. Because I've grown more skeptical about politicians and government officials. They're there to use us and make life harder for us. For one thing, they can't think of ways to make things simpler. Instead, they seem to deliberately make things more difficult for us.

Like, it makes them happy to see us suffer. Just look at traffic and how people line up and wait long hours in government offices.

It all began after the EDSA People Power Revolution (which was far from being a real revolution). Imagine---after staking our lives on what we thought to be genuine change, we saw everything slowly go back to normal. Sometimes, it seemed everything only got worse.

We risked our necks to oust a cruel dictatorship while Cory Aquino was safely in a convent in Cebu "praying." Ramos and Enrile were safely hiding inside Crame while we civilians were out facing the tanks and jets. Can you imagine "heroes" hiding behind civilians?

After Marcos fled, Cory came in as president, very conveniently, without difficulty. After some days, I saw one public official given the natural resources department. Wait a minute---this guy used to be a Marcos guy and said to have amassed great wealth from the same office when he was still with Marcos. That's what I heard from some critics. Then Cory made him secretary of DENR? Why? I mean. He was a Marcos guy.

Then the Mendiola Massacre happened. And I thought military cruelty ended with the dictatorship. And several other activists were summarily executed after martial law. What did Cory do? Nothing, because the killings went on.

Later, I saw Ramos and Enrile in good terms with the Marcoses again. In fact, Joseph Estrada, who was a staunch Marcos loyalist, gained popularity so that he later became president. The old Marcos guys were back in power. What happened? I mean, why did they let them come back?

Later, Ramos himself let the Marcoses come back, along with the body of the late Marcos. It's the good old days, once more. What happened to the EDSA Revolt where we civilians risked our lives? And then Imelda became Congresswoman.

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Much later, I started hearing Enrile say the Marcoses didn't do anything wrong. He was even always defending them. If the Marcoses were not at fault, then why bolt away from them? Why start the coup in Camp Aguinaldo?

Then you see them at election time together, members of the same party, both the ones who fought against and the ones who sided with Marcos. And then they reshuffle, change parties, but you see the same thing. They say that's how democracy works. That's what they call pluralism.

I say, that's how they've all been fooling us.

They put up a show as if they're fighting each other, but when they're off cam, they all share the same agenda. They're not moved by principles but by personal agenda. And if they see an alliance that will serve their agenda or ambition, they'd join it no matter if it's an alliance of crooks.

And then the alliance breaks up (because selfish ambition often creates friction rather than permanent alliance) and one would need a powerful backup to stay in power. That's when they call people to rally behind their "good cause." And people mindlessly answer the call, because most of them treat politics the same way they treat showbiz. It's a personality cult rather than fighting for the right principles.

And amazingly, people come to their rescue. They risk their lives, dying for their favorite politician---their "idol." They march out there along with their families and kids, getting run-over by a police vehicle or clobbered to death by a cop gone crazy, not for a cause, but to back up their pet politician. Like the Marcos burial issue. They march out there either because they love or hate Marcos. Worse if they do it because they are pro-Aquino.

And then traditional politicians ride on the issue. They talk like they have all the right to denounce corrupt people---and many believe them. But on closer look, you'd find how these people are also charged with corruption or hide skeletons in their closets. You can't trust them. If they say anything, it's always for the good of their ambition (always) and they're going to use you.

Use you!

I laugh when I see die-hards always defending their dear Duterte at all costs---like the guy can never make a mistake. It's a personality cult again instead of people being patriotic citizens. I support Duterte because God told me in the bible to submit to the governing authorities, but I criticize him when he's wrong. I go for principle. Wrong is wrong. A lot of times I see myself in Senator Richard Gordon, although I'm seldom talkative in person.

Lots of church pastors play right into the hands of these politicians. They try to somehow influence politicians and people in high places and use them for their church ministry---not realizing they're the ones being used. Pastors make crooked politicians look good and being in the company of these politicians make these pastors look accomplished church leaders. You see, they use each other.

The common denominator is ego-trip. Jesus never ran after politicians or smelled their butts.

I respect government leaders, but I never rely on them. I very, very seldom believe them, except after a thorough scrutiny of what they are actually saying. Often, I get disappointed.

People who support personalities rather than principles, you are of all people to be pitied. You are willing fools.

I still vote every election---just to please God. It's my duty as a citizen. And I pray for elected officials. But I watch out carefully about what they do and say. Never trust a person once he's in power, that's my personal rule. Power and money can transform a person, either for the better or for worse. I've seen a lot of meek guys turn monster just because of money and power.

Now, can anyone tell me I'm wrong about politicians? Please do and explain why.

Marcos Burial Would've Been Peaceful This Way

Image from Manila Times

Imagine your late dear dad secretly buried with all the controversies, only to be exhumed or dug up later and transferred elsewhere. If you loved and respected your dad, would you let him go through all that trouble? I would want a peaceful burial first and foremost. In fact, that's all I would want for him. Never mind other considerations.

The Marcos burial has been a circus, to say the least. I wouldn't want that for my father if I really valued him. Look at how it all turned out. I don't know why the Marcoses would prefer this than a peaceful, quiet burial in Batac.

I really believe that if the Marcoses had decided a quiet burial in Batac, the Marcos loyalists wouldn't have protested. They won't dare lift a finger to oppose it. They'd sheepishly submit and assemble in Batac for the burial rites. And everyone will be happy. Genuine healing will happen and the issue can quietly be shelved in the past as case closed.

Then we can all move on. Di ba?

What's wrong with a Batac burial, anyway? The Marcos corpse has been there for what, 30 years? And it's been making money for the town as a tourist attraction. In a TV interview, one Batac resident preferred Marcos to stay there. She didn't really like the idea of a Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) interment. And I think a lot of Batac folks (and probably Ilocanos) would also prefer that.

How about Marcos' last will and testament, wishing to be given the proper burial rites accorded a president and a soldier? That can well be fulfilled even in Batac. My proposal is for Batac to have a Libingan ng mga Bayani ng Batac or Libingan ng mga Bayani ng Ilocos. Seriously, I'd do that if I were Marcos' son. I'd do that if my dad were former president and a lot of people didn't like him buried at LNMB. I'd bury him in San Juan, La Union in a graveyard I'd call Libingan ng mga Bayani ng San Juan. 

My dad was a second lieutenant of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines or USAFIP and he deserved a place at the LNMB. In fact, my mom was offered that privilege but she turned it down because she wanted dad buried nearer our home.

Not being buried at the LNMB even if you're a hero is no big deal. Where is Rizal buried, for instance? President Manuel L. Quezon's remains are kept at the Quezon Memorial Circle. So why not bury Marcos at a Marcos Memorial Circle in Batac? I'm sure the Marcoses can easily afford that. A lot of soldiers and firemen are buried at the Manila North Cemetery.

The Marcoses have a lot of good alternatives if they want to consider the unity and peace in the country---and if they want to be liked by more people.

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I don't buy a Marcos LNMB burial. I was against his martial law and I know what happened during his reign. I joined organized protests against him. I was in EDSA during the so-called People Power Revolution defending Camps Crame and Aguinaldo from tanks and also defended Channel 4 from tank and jet attacks. I almost got killed there. It's a long story to tell.

They say Marcos didn't personally kill the victims so he is not accountable. That's really a shallow way of dismissing the issue. Marcos may not have personally committed the crimes but he was president then. He was commander in chief of the armed forces. There is command responsibility.

But what can I do now? The Supreme Court (SC) has decided to allow a Marcos LNMB burial. The 15 days given protesters to file a motion for reconsideration (MR) is just a formality. The Supreme Court has clearly decided and I don't think it will rescind its decision. That will be less "pogi points" for them. Me mga ego din mga yan.

Moreover, President Duterte has also decided in favor.

Though protesting against wrong is important, it is MORE IMPORTANT to submit to the governing authorities, because this is God's clear command in the bible. And it's so immature of us to be always complaining and protesting even if the highest court in the land and the final arbiter of law has already decided.

They say the burial was done in contempt of a final SC decision after an MR. Then, by all means, find out who did it and punish them. But I don't think that's going to change anything.

File a petition to exhume? You see, it really gets absurd and ridiculous when the ego goes berserk. Marcos did wrong and now they want to get even. That just makes them as bad as Marcos. A complainant is worth listening to if he or she proves more righteous than the offender. But if they're both rotten...

How come Pinoys can obey and submit when in the Middle East but not in their own country? Is it because they're paid high salaries there? Is it all about money? You submit if given a high pay? I hope we Pinoys have not become "mukang pera."

It is very important for a nation to learn to obey its authorities. In fact, in our case as a poor nation, it's more important than democracy. We've been used to being stubborn and getting things our own way. We are idiots when it comes to accepting defeat.

Extrajudicial Killings

Big Shot Bob in Texas

I guess you can only understand the spate of summary executions in the country if you understand the local gang world. I kindof expected it to be this way when Duterte said he was seriously going after illegal drugs people.

When everything's gone wrong in the underworld, there will be a lot of summary killings---it's a way of cleaning one's tracks. They will get rid of everyone that would link them to the drug trade---those who know too much. It's like that in the movies, it's also like that in real life.

I used to go inside a major prison in the city talking to gang people about Christ and I discipled a gang man there once who later was summarily killed. I heard lots of stories of extrajudicial killings. (That's aside from my exposure when I was active in our fraternity).

That's underworld culture.

And people who never had a taste of it will always get wrong impressions about extrajudicial killings. Like how they link all extrajudicial killings to the PNP and Duterte.

No doubt, some police personnel would be involved. Even officials. But that does not mean the entire PNP is involved.

In fact, chances are, majority (if not all) of the casualties may be a result of gangland double-crosses---gang members killing each other or killing those of their rival gangs---instead of killings as a result of legit police operations. Once police start dealing with the grassroots, the hierarchy begins to be shaken. Suspicions arise and plague the entire system. Soon, those on the upper levels would prevent the spread of the plague by stopping it right on the lower middle section of the hierarchy.

Exactly what happened when the NPA years back started purging their ranks.

The police can then let the repercussions do the job on its own, gang members killing each other, eliminating all possible links to the higher-ups.

Thus, mostly small-time dealers get killed.

But eventually, the domino effect can go up higher levels and soon reach some people on top, especially if the middle section of the hierarchy has been infiltrated. Even some folks in the police and military could be involved.

This is when accomplices in high places start crying and attacking authorities, calling the attention of the media to the "senseless killings of innocent people." We saw the same when the NPA was hurting from the infiltration by the military. There were loud cries of "gross human rights violations" and even the Roman Catholic church bit the bait.

Once this level is reached, authorities know they are gaining the upper hand in the battle. This success can be sustained as long as authorities enjoy the approval of the people. If not, then they may resort to martial rule.

Admittedly, innocent people will be affected. It's inevitable in any "war." This is what so many people do not understand, because of their lack of experience in the underworld. Duterte warned us about this war during his election campaign, and I fully understood it. You can never deal successfully against the drug trade in the way human rights group would have it.

Some things cannot be solved peacefully. Even God had to arm Israel for issues that could not be settled except by a bloody war.

Here's the bottom line: If you have been smart enough to stay out of drugs, you shouldn't have any worries. Stay out of any place where illicit drugs exist and stay away from anyone involved with it. But if you involve yourself in any way, you have no-one to blame but yourself should anything bad happen to you.

I can't understand why anyone would involve himself with drugs. There's no good reason why.

If the drug problem has not gone this big  and seriously in the country, I'd be the first to protest against extrajudicial killings. But with the way things are, It is something that will and must happen. It's like how the Japanese Imperial Army could never have been driven out of the country unless a destructive war happened. No-one wanted the war---it would kill millions of innocent civilians---but it had to be done,

Earl

Earl Dollente

I first heard about him on the news. Much later, I and my wife watched his life on Mel Tiangco's  TV program, Magpakailan Man,

Earl Dollente of Pateros was just almost 3 years old when he disappeared, deemed kidnapped by his family on May 27, 1997 at about 5 in the afternoon. That was some 19 years ago. My own son then was just a year old. Earl and my eldest son somewhat look alike when they were kids, so my heart cried out the first time I heard about his story.

Last night, while watching his story on TV, my wife and I were nearly crying. And I was so furious. I asked myself, was that the life prepared by fate for Earl, to be abducted and gone from his family the rest of his life? And what happened to his abductors? Did they suffer at all? Were they punished by God? If so, how come they were able to live with it? It probably wasn't punishment enough.

Crazy thoughts were running through my mind. But I prayed for the kid more and trusted God. He always knows what's best.

But Earl. How about him?

I tried to imagine the sufferings of the family through the years---especially the mom. I'm often like that, I try to imagine the plight of suffering people. Imagine wondering where the kid was and where you'd look for him the first day he was missing. Where in the world would you look for a kidnapped kid just 3 years old? He's still wearing diapers! And that horror went on for days, weeks, months and then years.

Imagine living with that.

I felt so angry. I wanted to kill whoever it was that took that poor kid from his family.

He probably has a different identity today. I don't know if he still remembers his abduction, but age sometimes changes a lot. Probably he was sold to a foreign couple and now living somewhere in Europe or the US, trained up to look to them as his real parents, forgetting everything in his past.

Or probably he was sold as a slave and is now living a wrecked life. Worse, he's probably dead, buried in an unmarked grave in the wilds. Imagine what these worthless abductors did to him and then all they'd suffer is hell when they die? I don't think hell is enough for them. How can they sleep and have peace all these years?

How can people do something like that to a kid?

Each time I hear about kids being abused, harmed or killed, a different rage in my heart boils up. Why harm these helpless children? They cannot defend themselves. That's why people who hurt kids are the most coward people on earth.

I hope and pray Earl will be reunited with his family soon. God please help them. Thank you God for being our Answer for everything.

What Will Happen If We Cut Ties with the US

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First, what happens is that we lose an important economic ally. The US may not be our true friend and partner, but it's still an important economic ally to consider. All we have to remember is that a rift with the US may negatively affect investments, especially in relation to the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry which is responsible for employing a lot of Filipinos.

Second, think of the Filipinos in the US. Majority of us have families or relatives there. They may feel some serious repercussions of some sort, for sure. US visas will again be hard to come by and many Filipinos still looking up to America won't be able to bear that. They were brainwashed into thinking that America gives them life and that without going to the US they're doomed.

Third, we're still testing the waters as far as our new relations with China is concerned (and probably Russia in the near future). We need a fallback in case alliance with China doesn't work out. And if that happens (and if China is irked by our disapproval of her one-sided proposals), we need a leverage to make China think twice about bullying us again.

The only realistic thing that prevents China from going all-out with its aggression against us are US interests still lurking in our territories. Imagine what happens if all these investments are pulled out. What else would deter a China all-out offensive?

Of course, I don't believe the US will really protect us in case China attacks. All it will do is evacuate Americans from the country and then leave us to defend ourselves---just like what it did in World War II. The best it will do is probably an international press conference denouncing China's aggression against its "ally." Something like, "We denounce in the strongest possible terms..."

Though we know about this (that the US won't  really do anything to save us), the good thing is that for now China isn't too sure about it. As long as US interests are still here, they will always have second thoughts about a US intervention. China thinks US interests here are the aces up our sleeves. And that's a blessing to us. The US has been bluffing China about coming to our rescue if it decides to attack us, and we've been playing along with this bluff, too.

And China seems to be buying it. But for how long? Well, as long as we have US interests in our country.

Moreover, it is known internationally how the US is just aching to start a war in Southeast Asia so it can sell war paraphernalia to countries affected like the PH, Vietnam, Malaysia and probably even Taiwan. Its failing economy needs fresh sources of refunding and profits from war have always been a good source of revenues for the US economy, especially now that it has outstanding debts with China.

Believe it or not, the US creates offshore wars to keep its armaments business alive.

Fourth, the US is a close ally of Japan. If we cut ties with the US, I doubt if Japan would give us any thought if China attacks.

So there.

But you see, we don't really need to cut ties with any nation. In fact, it's foolish to do so since we are not a powerful nation to contend with. Just open your eyes to see that we're nothing compared to China. I really doubt if it will conclude any agreement with us as its equal. It will always propose one-sided ventures, all in its favor, just like how many Chinese businesses (not all though) do not see their Filipino "partners" as equals.

As it is, it "allows" our fishermen partial access to the West Philippine Sea. It's crystal clear that China exercises sovereignty in ALL of the West Philippine Sea.

The only practical thing we can do is to befriend as many countries as possible so we can have leverage against big players in international politics. Why not keep our "special" relations with the US at the same time that we also build "special" relations with the rest---even with China and Russia or even Mars and Pluto, for that matter?

Alliance with super powers is not the problem. The problem is when we allow ourselves to be their slave and underdog in our treaties with them. The real problem with our relations with the US is that we have been quietly approving their lopsided policies that render them practically our masters, and that for decades now.

We're still immature with the way we choose our diplomats who'd bargain for us at the bargaining table. Our officials say nothing there but "Yes sir!"

We have to relate with other nations on equal footing, as a sovereign state with another. We can always reject anything unfair with their proposals and yet at the same time still be in "special" friendly relations with them.

This is what Duterte should do, instead of making outright pronouncements about cutting ties or "separating" from certain countries, especially those that have been our allies.

How Some Senators See Us is Reflected on How They Chose Matobato

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I'm not a Duterte fan or die-hard. I think the Senate investigations should go on finding out who is behind the extrajudicial killings. If Duterte is guilty, he should answer for it.

But presenting Matobato as "witness" by some senators in a Senate hearing is an example of how these lawmakers see us. They think we are all idiots. They just pull someone (or anyone) in the streets into the senate inquiry as "witness" to say a bunch of silly nonsense and expect us to believe him.

They should have at least concocted an ingenious plot that showed impressive logic and lead us to really believe something without a shadow of a doubt---like the way an Agatha Christie detective fiction would so convincingly show you false leads and you'd be shocked in the end how a seemingly innocent character would end up the culprit.

At least, that way, you'd see that taxes are spent by lawmakers with real talent. But as it is, who knows what kind of laws these guys are making in Congress at the expense of the taxes we pay when they can't even create a good murder plot free of obvious loopholes? And no wonder Trillanes failed in a coup plot. Now we know why.

The whole affair about Matobato is like the trash we see in local TV soaps. Very poor plot, drifting and boring story, zero imagination and you always get a feeling that the creators were in a hurry to do everything because all they were thinking of was rake in huge profits out of nothing. Nothing was well thought of. And it's bombarded with lots of commercials, besides.

Fortunately, there are good actors and actresses around to offset trash TV programs.

Story writers and directors like that see their audience as idiots. The same with some lawmakers. They keep insulting Pinoy audience intelligence---always assuming that their audience think the way they do. So, they get someone like Matobato as witness, and perhaps coach him about how and what to answer during the inquiries prior to the hearings. But problem is, cheaply bought witnesses always prove to deliver cheap results. They tend to blow up their inconsistencies or say a lot of funny stories, like a murder in a "McDo Hotel."

Like most Pinoy soap or movie producers, conspirators in Congress hate spending too much for their production. All they think of are the returns. They should've opted for a real pro who can really internalize the roles he plays, although that would cost a fortune. If you see your audience as top caliber, you'd surely spend a lot to make your presentation credible. But if not, you'd just get someone like Matobato---a "witness" who saw or knows nothing.

Allowing Matobato on the witness stand tells us how De Lima and company see us (and especially how Trillanes see us when he said Matobato was a "reliable witness"). They think we're stupid. They think we'd just take their word for it. And that's an insult to the Filipino people. They will always do the same in their future actions as lawmakers, and more so when they seek higher offices in the future.

They should've tested the quality of their witness first before presenting him in public. If the testimony proves to be garbage, then the witness should be scratched from the list and never allowed to be seen testifying in public.

I've watched Got Talent shows online, and you'd notice how each contestant that reached the final stage show superb performance. That's because they underwent rigid screening to make sure that only quality participants get to be seen performing in public.

If Got Talent is that serious with its standards, surely the Philippine Senate should set much higher standards in screening witnesses who take the stand.

Why are Some Duterte Critics Stupid?

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Aside from taking things out of context (and sometimes it seems intentional), most Duterte critics are really hell-bent on just sabotaging his efforts. It's not just to get their news items more controversial than they really are (to get higher ratings), it's really to destabilize his administration. Kick it out of existence and replace it with theirs.

And all because they're still so infatuated with Mar Roxas and PNoy. They just want to prove that Duterte was the wrong choice and Mar should've been seated in power. Putting down a government to replace it with one run by your political idol is not really insane. It's pathetic stupidity. If it were "insane" it would have sounded better. At least "insane" is genius gone overboard. But it's not. It's stupidity.

You can see how they just want to put down Duterte so the yellow Liberal Party could take over through VP Leni Robredo (and Mar and company could then rule the country through her) and also probably somehow save party-mate Senator De Lima in the process. The plan to oust or impeach Duterte---or something like that---has been true all along. And the effort involves some media organizations and even news blogs.

A lot of unsuspecting and misinformed individuals eagerly join them as misguided tools, not knowing that news sites and blogs they get information from make a lot of money misinforming people like them.

I'm NOT a Duterte fan or follower. I support him mainly because the bible says the faithful should submit to the governing authorities. I'm always loyal to truth, nothing else. Actually, I don't like the guy, especially how he talks foul-mouthed with his curses and expletives and how he retracts words he has already said officially (he is the highest official in the land and he should be aware that everything he says in public is official) in the guise of intending to mean another thing.

Well, sometimes silly reporters do twist his words around to mean another nasty thing or take everything completely out of context.

But sometimes, Duterte speaks one thing now and a moment or day later Malacanang comes out with a disclaimer, explaining how the president really didn't mean what he said or was merely misquoted. One begins to get tired of hearing that after a while. So, what things did he really mean? Who do we believe, him or his spokesmen or Cabinet? People may never take him seriously one day and just wait for his spokesmen for the real thing. People may tend to take everything he says as something merely preposterously said. That will be a big disaster.

I've observed how some sites or blogs sound so happy each time they can report something bad about Duterte. They watch out for his blunders or misworded statements and blow that out of proportion. I mean, build a whole planet out of it. They get a kick out of that and I can't understand why. Put down your own president, the president of your country? You must be a brainless traitor to want to do that. And for sure you're a coward, too. Traitors are automatically cowards---and morons.

I saw this idiotic site where every inaccurate or false news item (there are a lot of bogus news and news sites online) was directly attributed to Duterte, as if he was responsible. They assume that sites like that are under Duterte's "payroll."

It's similar to how unthinking critics blame gangland-style extrajudicial killings on Duterte and General Bato's PNP. And because of their lack of imagination, they can't understand why cops have to shoot "suspects" if they shoot at them. Why is there sometimes an over-kill? Well, I can imagine why when it's dark and you're in the middle of the shooting and you're the target. It would be hard to aim at the shoulder, hand or legs if the "suspect" aims at your heart or head.

Your tendency is just to shoot back. Self-preservation instinct tells you that.

And anyway, all such incidents are placed under investigation and the promise is that all those proven at fault will be charged accordingly. I, too, detest over-kills, but I also have to understand where the cops are coming from. In the first place, why involve yourself in what you know is highly illegal and then blame cops for overdoing their arrest? Toy with that thing and you deserve whatever consequences you get--even if you're not directly involved or if you claim to be already willingly surrendering.

If you want a quiet life, you shouldn't have allowed yourself to get involved in any way.

To be sure, I denounce killing of innocent people merely assumed to be suspects. It's the height of stupidity to just shoot anyone who looks like a pusher or addict. As a cop you were supposed to be trained to engage in lawful combat. You know the rules of engagement. Shooting a suspect in a shootout is different from plain shooting a non-combatant, no matter what you suspect him of.

Don't they teach trainees how to handle unarmed suspects using hand-to-hand self-defense techniques without using guns? It's a simple matter to lock the arms of an unarmed suspect resisting arrest if you are trained like I am. And definitely, you wouldn't be able to tackle me if you tried to grab my gun from my holster if I was really trained for these situations like how cops should be.

So, why always use a gun as first line of defense?

Some folks in Congress want the anti-drug operations to stop. Duh? So drug figures could recoup and better strategize their operations? When I hear this, I'm reminded of how traitors in Aguinaldo's cabinet wanted the revolution to stop so the country could just yield to the Americans.

If we stop Duterte's aggressive anti-drug campaign and do things the way previous administrations did it with decency and oligarchic style, the shootings and killings may stop. But that won't amount in any way to genuine and lasting peace and order. It will just be a lull before the storm of a narco-nation.

Are You for Duterte, De Lima, Leni or Aquino? The Correct Way to Watch a Political Circus

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As usual, a circus is on among major political figures in the country---Duterte, De Lima, Leni, Aquino and others, with special appearances by the UN and some US diplomats. And it's fun watching them do their tricks. Each of them have their special skills. But the problem is that a lot of people do not know how to watch political circuses. They never learn.

They try to join the circus.

Remember, circus is only for watching, unless you're officially part of the show. Imagine if one from the audience suddenly goes out of the benches and joins the parade of lions or tigers. He'd end up dead meat, literally. Or, imagine a clown or juggler doing a difficult act and you suddenly appear from nowhere and interrupt.

As long as you stay seated in the benches, circus is a fun and entertaining sight to watch.

But people take sides and support a personality. That ruins the circus. I've watched people who claim to be the "thinking majority" lambaste at the "die-hard," rabid Duterte supporters, not realizing that they too are like that when they defend the opposing side. They can't see how they're also die-hard, rabid De Lima or Leni or Aquino supporters.

And they call each other idiots.

Well, in a way, that adds so much fun to the whole circus. The more clowns, the better.

You shouldn't support personalities. Support worthy issues. Especially, support truth. Anyone who goes against truth you should criticize, expose and reject if need be.

Imagine if the circus crowd becomes divided---one group favors one clown and the other walks out because they favor the other clown. The whole show may be affected, Or worse, the circus may be closed down. No more fun, then.

I don't like Duterte as president, but because he is now in fact president, I have to support him. That's what the bible says. I also didn't like Arroyo and Pnoy, but when they were president, I supported them. But it's a conditional support, as opposed to a blind support. I know right from wrong. If Duterte proves wrong I will criticize him. But if he's correct, I'll applaud him. I won't be a Duterte rabid fan as many folks are who embrace everything the guy says. Fanaticism takes away your ability to discern between good and evil.

Neither will I be a rabid Duterte detractor like a lot of unthinking people are (yet they believe they're the smart ones) who oppose anything that comes from Duterte. They'd prove Duterte wrong even in his right decisions and defend his detractors even if they're dead wrong. Such a silly way to apply your intellect, energy and resources.

I'm always loyal to truth. I seek truth, not personalities or popular issues. If anyone is against truth, I don't care how popular he is. I will criticize him. But if anyone is for truth, I don't care what his background is. I'll applaud him.

Constructive criticism is what you do when someone you support (and you have no choice but to support him) makes a mistake and you need to call his attention to it.

Detraction, on the other hand, is willful prejudice against a person based on hatred and animosity. And it's a sign of stupidity, idiocy and immaturity. They just want to put the guy down. What for?

Are you able to decide in favor of someone you don't like? And do it sincerely, too? I have been exposed to situations like this and have become used to it. God's Word tells me not to have biases but to always be fair.

People often squirm or scowl when I side with unlikely people or issues. For instance, Pinoys may favor a Filipino candidate over an American in a beauty pageant because they're Filipinos. But a beauty pageant is not about siding with a fellow Filipino. It's about who's really the most beautiful.

Going back to political circuses, a circus is best left to itself if you want the fun to continue. Anyway, you can never save a circus gone haywire by anything you could do---much less by joining it. Well, one day, if for some reason you decide you want to be a clown or monkey or crocodile, then by all means, join the circus.