The Drag Path

The roads sink deeper as floods rush through, not caring but not responsible. So, who ought to be blamed?

Recently, storms tore through the Philippines, stretching suspensions across the month of August—piling up costs and killing productivity.

Water levels rise, problems arise, civilians pay the price.

No one will take the blame anyway.

Such a bountiful country, blessed with culture and land, yet when handled by the wrong hands? They wash and forget.

No one will take the blame anyway.

However, no one will care, anyway.

That’s the recurring problem of many Filipinos—voices that yearn to be heard give up when no one does, then vote for those same people who corrupt the nation.

With the 2028 national elections approaching, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the country must reflect on the way it chooses its leaders and professionalize the bureaucracy to achieve faster economic growth and catch up with its neighbors.

Speaking up is one way, but turning it into action is something that can break the generational silence.

When Filipinos choose to cover their ears in favor of their idols, they turn away from a clean nation.

As we cannot carry the inflating expenses any longer, not one of your idols will fix it in our favor.

Watching as we fall behind our peer nations.

Monopoly-tical

“I am not a political scientist, but it all boils down to how we select our leaders. We need to start with that. Reform our electoral processes. We need to push for institutional reforms,” Balisacan said.

When political leaders treat governance as a business, the very foundation of service and compassion begins to crumble, ultimately rebuilding it as a well for their greed.

“The sense of patriotism and that love of country … if you are a leader or elected official, that is your guide, your compass, instead of personal or family interest,” Balisacan stated.

A successful business often passes down to familial heirs; however, not every child of the next generation is fit to run the business. Likewise, in the government, political dynasties are especially ubiquitous in ruling establishments in the Philippines, as if a position is something to be handed down— a hereditary power.

However, corruption lies not only in the officials, but it also takes root in the people.

Those who truly seek a better future for this country constantly get discouraged by the blindness of its people—it becomes a joke, a popularity contest.

So as the country heads toward the 2028 elections, think of the present tragedies, where empty promises hollow the nation’s heart little by little.

We can only count the subpar repairs on the road until it forms bumps in this land’s history.