THIS 2013 ELECTION IS GONG TO BE A BIG FARCE

From whatever standpoint one looks at it, the 2013 election is going to be a big farce. It is a stark contrast to the constitutional provision that says, "The state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibits political dynasties as may be provided by law."  What "equal opportunities for public service" or "prohibition of political dynasties"  are we talking about f one looks at the senatorial line-ups of both the administration and the opposition kuno that the voting public would choose from?  

Kung ang mga kandidatong ito ang magsisipanalo -- at ito ang malamang na mangyari -- aba'y we will have 2 Enriles, 2 Cayetanos, 2 Estradas, 2 Magsaysays, in the Senate.  In addition, we will retain an old tandem of coup pushers (Trillanes/Honasan), a Marcos and a Revilla whose respective clans also rule supreme in provincial politics.  Bilangin ninyo, di ba twelve na 'yan? And add to that a new Angara succeeding an old one (dynasty rin, di ba), three callously indecisive candidates (Legarda, Escudero and Llamanzares) who are riding on two horses (wanting to have their cakes and eat them two - ah, I call that "greed" and "sa pula, sa puti" sa loob ng sabungan), a millionaire and former senator in her own right (Madrugal), a daughter of the Vice President, two very close relatives (Aquino and Cojuangco) of the sitting president, and two former senators (Gordon and Maceda)  two popular showbiz characters (Sotto and Lapid), and a non-biological descendant (Llamanzares) of the greatest name in Philippine movies.  Aba eh, kayo ang magsabi, di ba ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas ay lantarang gusto nanng usungin ng mga elitista, pawang mayayaman at powerful politicians in our midst and times.
Nasaan na ang equal opportunities in the public service na gustong ipatupad kuno ng ating Saligang Batas?  At 'yang political dynasty, paano nga ba mawawala iyan ay di nila nais baguhin ang Constitution?  Kahit pa nga magkaroon tayo ng constitutional amendments, aba'y "hindi loko si Pilo," ika nga naming mga Batanggenyo, para magpasa ang mga taong ito ng batas na papawi sa political dynasty na ito.

In fairness to them, before anybody gets me wrong, I am not belittling these people's respective capabilities to run this government. I know and admit that most of them are amply qualified.  My only deep concern as a citizen is that in a country where money rules supreme in politics, how can the relatively "have-nots" have an equal chance, as the charter warrants, in public service -- at least for a change?  And how can there be change when practically no more "opposition" will exist any longer in the next Congress?  Proof is Villar, Aquino's most bitter opponent in 2010, and Marcos, whose late father, Aquino believes, was behind his own father's murder, are now part of the incumbent president's party.  Since when -- only now, isn't it-- has the country's oldest political parties, Nationalista and Liberal, joined together in an election?  I know what Pinoy has in mind: He wants everybody to adhere to his so-called "daang matuwid."  The thing is that is neither a concrete program or platform of governance; it is merely an empty slogan.

Ah, I truly regret to say this but I must:  Indeed, this nation is fast going to the dogs!