AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star
Indeed, are you ready for a Manny Pacquiao presidency? Do you really believe that Manny Pacquiao will be as good a Philippine president just as he has been touted as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer? Do you really think that Manny Pacquiao, with his informal high school education, can better run this country than good past presidents like Manuel Quezon, Sergio Osmena Sr., Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia, Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos?
Just because Manny Pacquiao made a lot of money for himself and Bob Arum — are you assuming that as president he can also make a lot of money for all Filipinos? With mighty China threatening to take over the Spratlys from our country — are you entertaining thoughts that he can scare the Chinese with his speedy punches?
When Manny Pacquiao recently announced in a GMA Network interview in Mexico “In 2016, I plan to run for vice president. By that time there will be no more boxing for me,” he was virtually telegraphing his ambition to become president. Even if you want to delude yourself that if elected he “only wants to become vice president and nothing more” — he’ll be our president should the 2016 president pass away, be disabled from performing his duties or be impeached.
Thanks to the wisdom of the framers of our 1987 Constitution, Manny Pacquiao will not be qualified to become vice president in 2016 because he’ll be three years short of the required minimum age of 40. Of course, there is always the possibility of revising the Constitution in order to lower the age requirement to 36 so Manny Pacquiao can run for vice president. But, do you hate our country and people that much to want to do that?
Pacquiao’s rush to become vice president in 2016 is understandable. He cannot fight in the boxing ring forever. At 32, he must be feeling the need to retire before he suffers the shame of losing his title and his mystique. By 2022, the next presidential and vice presidential elections after 2016, Pacquiao would have been retired and less marketable.
When Pacquiao first ran for Congress, your Chair Wrecker was among those to take him to task for aspiring for a public office that he’s not qualified to assume. The election of academically deficient boxers like Manny Pacquiao to a high public office reflects the dysfunction in many Filipino minds stemming from the Information and Education Gaps as well as the inability to differentiate a sports “hero” from a real national hero like Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini and Ninoy Aquino.
Then too there are the disillusioned masses whose lives have worsened. They may just decide to give Manny Pacquiao a try. Considering the pathetic state of our broadcast media, where the least important news (showbiz gossip and scandals) are prioritized over major political and geopolitical developments, the masses could be misled into pinning their hopes on Manny Pacquiao.
A good part of this Pacquiao mystique was the result of media hype. Pacquiao would not have been this popular if media did not shower him with attention that even exceeds the media allocation for important national developments.
Because running for public office was democratized, the qualification standards were also set to a minimum. Age and birth circumstances form the most important hurdles. The concept behind this is not to make high public office accessible only to the elite. Ironically, we’ve been a virtual oligarchy for decades.
We do not have the ideal critical media that could at least expose the inadequacies of candidates and enlighten the electorate. The most popular of broadcast media have been slanted to the format of tabloid journalism. Popular but unqualified candidates are able to win elections for top posts because tabloid media breed and promote showbiztocracy, the term a Chair Wrecker original.
In Singapore, South Korea, and Japan — the voters there would consider it unthinkable that a boxer, with only an informal high school diploma to show, will aspire to lead their country. Japan rose from the devastation of World War II, as did South Korea from the devastation and uncertainties of the Korean War. Singapore only became a republic, independent of Malaysia, in 1965. Now, they’re light years ahead of us. You should check what they’re getting from their media.
Visit the websites of the top Japanese, South Korean and Singaporean media and see for yourself the level of discourse and the prioritization of news being exercised by their editors. They may have showbiz sections but these are not allowed to preempt important national developments. That is editorial responsibility and judgment at work – something very much lacking in some of our top broadcast media.
It’s a plus if editors have a good marketing sense because that could transform important stories into sensational reading but without losing focus on the facts and context. It’s a big minus if editors only have marketing sense and hardly any dedication to ventilating the truth, the factual and the really important developments that affect people’s lives.
* * *
Chair Wrecker e-mail and website: macesposo@yahoo.com and www.chairwrecker.com
Ready or not, Filipinos will vote for celebrities. We elected Erap and PNoy, right?
To post a coverage in the media of Packman becoming a possible candidate for President is not only funny but idiotic. Sure he might win an election because Pinoys are immature politically. Between a boxer vs a scientist, they will vote for a boxer. Morons. Please stop this media marketing exercise. CDC
Philippine politics is replete with a repetitive history of voters choosing leaders based not on their credentials and educational background, but on personalities particularly if the candidates are movie or TV heroes. That is best exemplified by the election of Joseph Estrada to the presidency, a disaster perhaps as huge as when we elected that dictator -Marcos.
I agree with Mr. Esposo that Pacquiao has no business aspiring to the vice-presidency. He would bring nothing to the position except his exceptional boxing career. But, again, as Mr. Esposo explains, how is that going to give him the judgment, the knowledge, and the experience to govern a country of close to 100 million? Yes he can hire advisers as all presidents do, but leadership always starts with the president. He absolutely has no qualifications to even be a congressman. As a mayor of his hometown, maybe we can give him a pass.
I guess the reason Filipinos have been choosing leaders with hardly any qualifications is those touted as having the credentials have not done any better. I sometimes find it hard, on that basis, to find fault with voters. They get bamboozled by those with the most promises, no matter that they never deliver on them. It’s no wonder, as Mr. Esposo asserts, that we have fallen behind our Asian neighbors in all categories as a nation.
Pacquiao has made all the money he can spend over many lifetimes, and it’s best for him to retire without having to nurse ambitions to enter politics on the national scene. Why not establish a foundation to help Filipinos who are in need? We will remember him better as a philanthropist than as a comedian-politician if he thinks, blindly I think, the country needs him as a politician to lead the country. I hope his being hit on the head repeatedly during his boxing career does not give him that delusion.
I think those educated presidents we have had up to the present have succeeded only in making the poor Filipinos poorer. Pacman maybe uneducated but what education do you need to help the poor but to have cOme from the poor yOurself?
HUWAG naman sanang mangyari na magkaroon tayo ng Pangulo na ang mga umaaligid sa kanya
ay mga huwad na political leaders? At huwad na mga political advisers?
Walang duda magaling sumuntok si Kabayan sa loob ng ring. Unang una, ang mga kalaban nia
ay hindi pinapakain ng ilang araw bago ang laban para lang mahabol ang required weight sa
division na sila ay maglaban (siempre mawalan ng lakas ang kalaban), kaya manalo talaga sia.
Pangalawa, ang laban sa ring ay “controlled”, merong referee, at bilang ang minuto kung gaano
sila katagal sumayaw o makipag bakbakan sa isang “round”.
Pangatlo, ang mga panalo ni Kabayan hindi naman nakinabang ang buong bansa economically
or whatever. It is a personal gain. It is a personal prestige.
Magaling na boksingero si Kabayan kung galing sa boksing ang pag usapan. Pero, ibang usapan
pag nahangad sia na maging Pangulo ng Pilipinas.
Kung sinoman ang tumutulak kay Kabayan na tumakbo bilang Presidente ng Pilipinas, eh, sana
mag hunos dili naman. Sa dinami-dami ba namang Filipino at Filipina, wala na ba tayong mapag
pilian?
-Bob Gabuna
(Sent by email)
Why the hell not, we’ve tried everything else under the sun. If he did’nt work out, the Filipino people will just find someone else to carry on the never ending BS that our country is so used to by now. Normally people learn by their mistakes, but Filipinos seem to just shrug it off and continue to keep making the same mistake over and over again. Until we regain our ability to think properly and make use of our common sense, our country will continue to stay at the bottom of the barrel. There was a time when country’s prosperity equals that of Japan, now we are not far behind from some of the worst country in the world.
Filipinos are stupid to elect Pacquiao as President. The Martial Law babies are now middle-aged and are mostly educated who are better voters. A President is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the country. He/she must be more sophisticated is all aspects of running the country and international relations. So please don’t make Pinoys a nation of idiots!
THE MEDIA DID IT, SOMEHOW
“We do not have the ideal critical media that could at least expose the inadequacies of candidates and enlighten the electorate. The most popular of broadcast media have been slanted to the format of tabloid journalism. Popular but unqualified candidates are able to win elections for top posts because tabloid media breed and promote showbiztocracy, the term a Chair Wrecker original.
In Singapore, South Korea, and Japan — the voters there would consider it unthinkable that a boxer, with only an informal high school diploma to show, will aspire to lead their country. Japan rose from the devastation of World War II, as did South Korea from the devastation and uncertainties of the Korean War. Singapore only became a republic, independent of Malaysia, in 1965. Now, they’re light years ahead of us. You should check what they’re getting from their media”- As quoted, copied and pasted from the Chair Wrecker.
Once, I commented that PHL media,in general, contributed to the downfall of the Philippines due to sub-standard news contents…yes, it seems a pattern of lack of wisdom in the news being bannered as headlines and sub-headlines.
This is the first time I agreed with the Chair Wrecker, to be truthful. Yes, not much on your news about PAC.
showbiztocracy! how apt. what a label!
that surely began when Pres Noypi allowed his inauguration at the Luneta Grandstand
to turn into a super OPM concert that was tragically in bad taste and so unpresidential.
no matter how one hates marcos, the fellow had upscale presidential class,
respectable taste and discretion—at least visually, di ba?
billy—just try to count how many names of production people are in the tail
end of the credits running in a ribbon under the video screen as the clown noli, the awfully self-conscious, insecure faylon and the amusing pa-glamour puss korina ham it up at the concluding portion of their evening carnival newscast—ang dami nila!
obviously all of them devoid of any sense of what a respected editing & conveying of news should be…instead it is sensationalism if not entertainment masquerading as news! so what do the dozens upon dozens of producers-editors supposed to be doing? the three clowns on board, by the way, are not doing newscasting but introducing if not merely emceeing as they go: “nagpapatrol..exclusive…”?
no wonder the ordinary people cannot rise today above the level of the value system portrayed by pacquiao and his laughable mom…
…so sorry but this is my humble perception.
NAGBIGAY NGA NG PRESTIGE SI PACQUIAO, NGUNIT KUMUKULO DIN ANG MGA TIYAN NG MGA PINOY. KAPAG ANG TIYAN AY KUMUKUKO ANG ISIPAN AY NAAPEKTUHAN.
ANG TAONG NASA GIPIT KAHIT SA PATALIM AY KUMAKAPIT. EX: 5/6 LOANS.
DAHIL SA KAHIRAPAN, ANG MGA PINOY AY DI MAKAPAG ISIP NG MABUTI. KAYA PAG MAY NAG OFFER NA BILHIN ANG KANILANG MGA BOTO AY PUMAPAYAG NA SILA. THEIR LOGIC:
EVEN IF I VOTE THE RIGHT CANDIDATE, THEY WILL STILL ROB THE COUNTRY BLIND.
PILIPINOS ARE IMPULSIVE VOTERS. THEY DO NOT THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE. THEY ONLY THINK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THEM NOW. IF SELLING THEIR VOTE GUARANTEE THEM A SACK OF RICE, THEY WILL DO THAT. HOW SAD. HOW UNFORTUNATE. BUT THE GREEDY POLITICIANS WANTED IT THAT WAY.
I HAVE COMMENTED BEFORE THAT THE FUTURE OF PINAS IS VERY UNCERTAIN. ONLY THE PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THINGS.
IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE THE LOT OF PINOYS THIS IS MY RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. ENFORCE THE LAND REFORM PROGRAM TO THE TEETH.
2. LEGISLATE TERM LIMITS FOR SENATORS, CONGRESSMEN, MAYORS AND GOVERNORS.
3. DEATH SENTENCE FOR POLITICIANS, SOLDIERS AND POLICEMEN CAUGHT STEALING FROM THE GOVT.
4. GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF INVESTORS AND EXPATS FROM MARAUDING POLITICIANS AND COMMON CRIMINALS.
5. FREE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION.
6. TUITION AID OR EDUCATIONAL STUDENT LOANS FOR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS.
7. UPGRADE THE MILITARY CAPABILITY OF THE NAVY AND THE AIR FORCE BY PURCHASING MODERN WARSHIPS AND AIRCRAFT.
8. UPGRADE CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS OF THE ARMY AND MARINES.
9. PRODUCE YOUR OWN WARSHIP, AIRCRAFT, AND CONVENTIONAL WEAPONRY.
10. NO PERSONAL INCOME TAX. JUST A NATIONAL SALES TAX OF 10 TO 20% ON ALL GOODS AND SERVICES. PROPERTY TAX IS OK. IMPOSE A USER FEE TAX.
11. GET OUT OF AFTA (ASEAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT). IMPOSE TARIFFS ON IMPORTED GOODS.
12. PROMOTE SMALL BUSINESS. MAKE IT EASY AND LESS EXPENSIVE TO ESTABLISH A SMALL BUSINESS OR VENTURE. MORE SMALL BUSINESS MORE JOBS.
13. UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURES LIKE MAKE A 4 LANE HIGHWAYS FORM APARRI TO JOLO. (JOB CREATION)
14. MAKE MORE AIRPORTS AND SEAPORTS. (MORE JOBS CREATED)
15. NO SUB STATE FOR MINDANAO MOSLEMS. BUT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MOSLEMS IN MINDANAO BY CREATING JOBS AND BUSINESS THERE.
16. DEATH SENTENCE FOR DRUG DEALERS, PUSHERS AND USERS.
17. MAKE ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FROM GRADE SCHOOL TO COLLEGE LIKE IN THE 50′S TO COMPETE IN THE WORLD MARKET.
18. MAKE THE COUNTRY A MEDICAL HAVEN FOR THE WORLD BY ESTABLISHING MEDICAL CENTERS THAT CATERS TO CURING CANCER, HEART DISEASE, DIABETES, DERMATOLOGY, ETC AT HALF THE PRICE. MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTORS ARE UP TO PAR OR BETTER WITH U.S.DOCTORS.
19. PROMOTE USING ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE LIKE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS VICE DRUGS THAT HAVE MANY SIDE EFFECTS THAT DOES NOT PROMOTE CURES.
20. LASTLY, HAVE THE ELECTION FROM MAYOR TO PRESIDENT BE FUNDED BY THE GOVT TO AVOID UTANG NA LOOB SYSTEM THAT PROMOTE GRAFT AND CORRUPTION..
I hope Manny Pacquiao is reading this. I am quoting an excerpt from an article by Sionil Jose which hopefully can make Pacquiao come down from his high horse and face the realities of his own talents, intelligence and credentials and will stop being delusional. That includes the same people who have voted for Erap, basketball stars, movie personalities and other personalities that are just plain total idiots and have nothing to contribute to the general good of the country except to sit on their behinds while cooking up how to screw up this country.
I quote Sionil because he hits the head on the nail spot on.
“We are shallow because with this arrogance, we accept positions far beyond our competence. Because there is no critical tradition in this country — a tradition which will easily separate the chaff from the grain, we cannot recognize fakery from the real goods. That outstanding scholar, Wilfredo Villacorta, is a rare bird indeed; when offered a high position in government, he refused it because he knew he was not qualified for the job. Any other mayabang academic would have grabbed it although he knows he can’t handle it. And so it happens always — the nitwits who hold such high positions stubbornly hold on to their posts, bamboozling their subordinates who may be brighter than them for that is the only way those who are inferior feel they can have respect.
On the other hand, the intelligent person will be aware of his shortcomings. He does not hesitate to ask the opinion of those who know more than him on particular subjects. If he is a government hierarch, he will surround himself with advisers who he knows can supply him with guidance and background possessing as they do more knowledge, experience and wisdom than him. Such an official is bound to commit fewer mistakes because he knows himself.
We are shallow because we lack this most important knowledge — who we are and the limits to what we can do.” end of quote
Read the full text of Why we are shallow, HINDSIGHT By F Sionil Jose (The Philippine Star) Updated September 12, 2011 by googling it.