The signs are ominous: Illiteracy is growing.
What can we expect from a government whose leaders:
1. Cannot read the people's pulse? They keep pushing for Charter Change even as many public opinion polls show its high unpopularity as a policy option;
2. Cannot count properly? They cannot count the growing numbers of people who are going hungry and poorer every day;
3. Cannot write properly? They cannot write the laws demanded by the people like on the extension of the Agrarian Reform Program; and,
4. Cannot comprehend basic rules? They keep on offering various modes to change the Constitution when the Charter clearly sets very specific modes for amendment.
Illiterate leaders can only breed further illiteracy. The strategic solution? A literate electorate who can write on their ballots to vote away the non-literates.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right. Our government only thinks for its own benefits and don't care for the people,in which for the first place, are the ones that they must serve. They must be concerned about the people because it is their duty and not be so greedy taking care of themselves only. They become greedy in a sense that they don't listen to what the people say. The people tell that the don't what ChaCha but still the government insists on implementing it.Another is that there are corrupt officials who spend our money on luxurious things instead of spending it for the poor people to have something to eat. They also cannot give lands to the farmers even though there's Agrarian Reform. What will happen to our country if this continues? Instead of making our country rise from proverty, our government is pulling us down. Do we even have a chance to become a developed country?
ReplyDeleteJan Bernard F. Lejano CBE/MMG POLISCI C37
If only we could bring Ramon Magsaysay back to life...
ReplyDelete-Rico Gervasio C37 Polisci MW 1440-1610...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's like the very same book that I have read before entitled "ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN" by Rober Fulghum. The book was intended for global leadership and he got to mention in his book the things that he learned, IN KINDERGARTEN:
ReplyDelete* Share everything.
* Play fair.
* Don't hit people.
* Put things back where you found them.
* Clean up your own mess.
* Don't take things that aren't yours.
* Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
* Wash your hands before you eat.
* Flush.
* Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
* Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
* Take a nap every afternoon.
* When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
* Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
* Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
* And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.
Just like this post, Robert simply went back to the basics and as it turns out, those are the things that we really need to put in mind. His rules may not really be that direct to the point, but surely when you get to read the book, you'll see the picture.
Jeremy Yu Caunca CBE C33 Polsci
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIlliterate leaders? Whose fault is it anyway?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that "ILLITERATE" LEADERS CANNOT PROMOTE LITERACY, how can they give what they, themselves, do not have? Let’s look at what happened to the country, shall we?
The Philippines, as of this time isn't getting better at all, obviously.
Why? BECAUSE THEY ARE UNWILLING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
-Poverty isn't resolved, in fact, there are more and more people on the streets than there were years ago. Why not give shelter and programs that will help them be self-sufficient?
-Corruption is getting worse. Who knows where our taxes are going? To the leaders? Don’t they get paid enough?
-Public education, there is still a lack of classrooms and textbooks. And the teachers? The teacher's income doesn't even amount to the efforts that they are giving to the school. Going to class everyday, preparing lectures for the children and striving to teach even though the classroom ratio is sixty-five students to one is hard work! Public school teachers deserve a higher income.
-Politicians, they are lawmakers, but they, themselves, are lawbreakers.
-Road projects show total inefficiency. Look at the roads; they are just as bumpy as our economic condition.
The list goes on and on…
Any solutions?...
1. GOOD LEADERS. And we define good as: HONEST, WISE, EDUCATED, WITH CHRISITAN VALUES, MORALLY SOUND and FORWARD-LOOKING.
2. FILIPINOS who will judge for themselves who is a GOOD LEADER and not be swayed by vote-buying. And those who will cooperate with the government to aim for one goal, and that is DEVELOPMENT.
3. GOVERNMENT that is NOT selfish, TRUTFUL, PRACTICE JUSTICE, GOOD MORALS and PUTS THE FILIPINOS FIRST.
On the upcoming elections, I hope that the Filipinos will choose wisely on who deserves to be the next leader. CHANGE LIES IN THE HANDS OF THE VOTERS.
P.M.C
(CBE MFI, C37)
It is tragic to know that even though many people are aware of the 'illiterate' government leaders, nobody can change them to 'literate' ones at the moment. It is very true that most of the government leaders are not performing their 'best' and this article shows the readers just that. What a sad situation— it seems like lots of the leaders don't even know the BASIC rules of leading a country. I really hope that in the next election, this country will gain 'literate' government leaders who will understand the people's wants and needs through proficient judgment and good voting.
ReplyDeleteJin Hwa Choi [DLSU CBE POLISCI C33]
Why did they became politicians in the first place when all they do when they achieve this is to think for themselves? Aren't they aware that the only reason they are there is because of the people which whom they have duty to serve? Greed is a big thing when it come to politics because once they are consumed by this there is no way out because after a while it become their lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteJacqueline Shi Ong [DLSU CBE POLISCI C33]
An illiterate leader leading a country? Yes that is possible. Just look around you! Its so stupid to see politicians who cant see what is happening around them. Yet they think they are doing things which will help us. Yea right? Want to see what helps us? Just listen to what we are saying! Politicians will act like they care to get your votes, once they win. Who are you? They don't care about you anymore. They become blind and deaf. All they can count is the money in their pockets. They don't think when they make decisions, as long as they are in the president's side they will be fed. I admire those politicians who listen to the peoples cry and try to explain to the government. They stand up for us. We should have more politicians who are like this.
ReplyDeleteAn illiterate leader leading a country? Yes that is possible. Just look around you! Its so stupid to see politicians who cant see what is happening around them. Yet they think they are doing things which will benefit us. You want to know what benefits us? JUST LISTEN TO US! Politicians will act like they care for us just to get our votes. Once they win, who are you? They dont care about you anymore, they become selfish, blind and deaf. All they can count is the money going into their pockets. They dont think theirselves, they just follow the president. Yup follow the leader and you will be fed. I admire those politicians who stand up for the people. Those who really listen to us and are willing to go against the will of the president. We should have more politicians like this.
ReplyDelete-Sanjeev Gangwani CBE C36
we have a republic form of government right? but how come our leaders promises that they'll do this and they'll do that and not do anything about it? they know what the problem is, but they just don't want to do anything about it. They don't do anything about it because it doesn't doesn't concern THEM. selfish is should say.
ReplyDelete- Ivan Brodeth (CBE POLISCI C36)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDa Eun said...
ReplyDeleteDoesn't it sound funny when a politician who may have graduated one of the finest universities in the Philippines are the ones actually called illiterate? It is not that they can't read or write, it is because they don't know how to LISTEN. Usually during their campaign, they would personally go and visit the people and persuade them with endearments to vote for them but after they have been chosen, when people would ask for help, they would even dare to listen to them. I bet those problems wouldn't even reach at the front door of their gates. What they do is they just ignore it. Where did all the promises they made go? Where there even a promise in the first place? Well, I just hope the government would at least make promises that they could keep or at least don't promise anything in the first place. It seems like the politicians and the government is just hungry for power. Too selfish and coward.
Da Eun K. Lee (CBE)
C33 POLISCI(DLSU)
You're right. The government officials only think about themselves. They are not serving for other, they are serving for themselves.
ReplyDeleteWell I guess it's humanities' fault. We are easily overwelmed by greed. With great power, comes with great responsibility. The problem is we are responsible. We easily get tempted.
Our goverment is weak. Our officials are weak. And so, we are vulnerable. Power is deadly temptation.
I definitely agree to that. The government just wants to have more power. A lot of people in this country s poor and they're not doing anything. They are corrupting money from all of us. They should just use that money to help the poor. That way we can respect them and not be opposed to them. What are those officials thinking?! They're so greedy. We elected them so they can lead us and we think that they can do their responsibilities. But instead, they use their power to get rich and only think about themselves. That's why Philippines is a poor country. The government should do something about this.
ReplyDelete-Rey Anne Gatmaitan
C36 MFI, CBE
It's quite baffling indeed how inadequate our leaders are in addressing the simplest issues our country is currently facing. Another flaw I'd like to point out is that THEY CAN"T SEE properly too. The fact that they are blinded and deluded by the greed of power shows what set of eyes they have - presbyopic! Their sight has been degraded due to their unconscious immorally driven motives. I think its rather fair to say that they are an assault to most of our senses. Although most of our leaders tend to abuse their power, i still have high hopes that there is a possibility of change to take place. In my opinion, it's most likely to happen when most of our leaders step up and live up to their coveted positions ( In the best sense) and become true leaders of the country who dare for positive change by compromising the status quo.
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents worth .
Eduardo Gaspar (CBE POLISCI - C36)
In the midst of this global financial crisis, many of these voters are jobless and hungry,thus, they easily get persuaded to change side as long as the politician speaks the right language – money and more money. Maybe I’m wrong…maybe I am underestimating the power of the new generation to change the current condition…But who knows exactly what people would think when they are starving? If a starving person could kill for a few hundreds then he could surely sell his pride and future. Again, whoever has the power and wealth would prevail.
ReplyDeleteI don’t mean to be skeptical when it comes to the majority’s capacity to decide for their future. But, Filipinos had been through the same or even worse situation in the past. We shouldn’t set our hopes too high or we would get disappointed if the result wouldn’t turn out as we expect it to be.
Jo, Hyun Min, Lee(AnYeong)
POLISCI_C33
ID:10192756
I agree many people vote popular leaders.
ReplyDelete"HINDI natin kailangan ng artista sa politika hindi natin kailangan ng mga mandaraya at magnanakaw".
We need a leader that would lead as well this term i think is the best "SERVANT LEADER". For you to be a leader you first need to serve people like Jesus have done to his apostles.
"With great power comes great responsibility."
ReplyDeleteA quote from the hit superhero movie Spiderman, nearly everyone knows of it. It's no wonder why.
Athough it is stated simply, I think this saying is greatly relevant to politics- leaders are given immense power, but they're expected to use it to take care of the needs of the people. The needs of the people who gave them power, mind you.
It's heartbreaking that we have political leaders like these. Yet we're also to blame. Whose choice was it to put those leaders in power? It was ours. So at the end of the day, the duty falls on us to select wise leaders that we can count on. No amount of complaining can change the fact that we have "illiterate" leaders- only making the right choices can alter that.
Erika Therese D. Trenas
CBE POLISCI C33
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletewe can say that they are not even leaders, they are just bosses that controls us instead of leading us.
ReplyDeletewhat is a leader?
it is someone who:
-coaches the people
-depends on goodwill
-inspires enthusiasm
-fixes the breakdown
-show how it's done
what is a boss?
is is someone who
-drives people
-depends on authority
-inspires fear
-fixes the blame
-know how it's done but doesn't know how.
so what do you prefer, a leader or a boss?
Darlene Co POLISCI C33
Yes! Illiterate leaders are just sources of more illiterate people. But then why are the people still voting for them to be our leaders? Like Paquiao, is he running to be part of the government? Why would someone vote for him?? He can't even speak English well!! Some people vote for the popular ones and then later would complain on how horrible the Philippines is becoming. How can you lead properly if you yourself is an illiterate?
ReplyDeleteDyan Leah Cheng
CBE POLISCI C33
Many of today's politians are numb to what the people want and what will benefit them. Most of the time, they think of how their projects are going to benefit their own pockets. I think that if today's government just merely listens to the people want, the country illiteracy rate will go down. Many of today's leaders are "in it" for the position and the power, but not for the responsibility.
ReplyDeleteIn today's world, we need someone who can lead; someon who works for the people and not someone who has people work for him or her. They have to realize that they are in a position that requires service of others. Literacy would make everyone's lives so much better.
Beatrice Regina S. Lagdameo
(CBE POLISCI C33)
agree, our politician only think for themselves. it's such a disappointment to think that they were are the 'leaders' of our country. But then again, we voted for them, this is partly our fault too.
ReplyDeleteDuring campaign period e are too blinded by their fame, wealth and how they treat us during those period. But after, when voting is over, everything will be very different on how it used to be during th campaign period. They are like deaf, that they can't hear our opinion, problems.. blind, that they can't see what our people need.
now we need to learn from our mistakes and choose someone who really deserves and has the ability to lead us. we should choose someone who would sacrifice for our country, not the one who the country will be sacrificing for. Someone who would think for himself AND ALSO FOR THE PEOPLE.
jackie lana tan
BCE MMG C37
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQRnhG3gSOo
ReplyDeletejackie lana tan
BCE MMG C37
You know how they say vain people are so blinded by their own looks that they do not care anymore to focus on others? I think that’s the case with these politicians who cannot read. It’s more of a DO NOT than cannot.
ReplyDeleteBecause they can, it even makes them worse. They manipulate their biased visions to into thinking that if they do not read then they do not know, and if they do not know, then they can’t hurt…
Well that’s narcissistic for a very obvious reason, I can now imagine them admiring a piece of glass as they point fingers in order to blame and blame and blame… And as they are doing this, more things are happening that could have been prevented by now. More and more issues are being raised, and lesser problems solved. Why? Because they’re all too busy admiring this piece of glass as they point fingers… in the end, they’re too self-obsessed to realize they’re just pointing their finger at a MIRROR.
So I agree: But how is it that literate candidates can be elected when the current ones are too vain?
N. garcia CBE MMG C37
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how our illiterate leaders can sleep soundly at night knowing that the money that is supposed to help the poor and the hungry are in their pockets? All they care about is how much money they can get for their own. We need leaders that will listen to what we have to say. Leaders who will not give in to corruption.
ReplyDeleteSherry Lynn Yu
MFI C36
What can we expect from a government whose leaders:
ReplyDelete1. Cannot read the people's pulse? They keep pushing for Charter Change even as many public opinion polls show its high unpopularity as a policy option;
--She's really showing insensitivity and greediness. She's really not satisfied with what she has and had corrupted.
2. Cannot count properly? They cannot count the growing numbers of people who are going hungry and poorer every day;
-- They're much more concerned about themselves; instead of giving concern to the public welfare!!
3. Cannot write properly? They cannot write the laws demanded by the people like on the extension of the Agrarian Reform Program; and,
-- They can actually write properly if and if it's for their benefits!
4. Cannot comprehend basic rules? They keep on offering various modes to change the Constitution when the Charter clearly sets very specific modes for amendment.
-- The're too busy on focusing their own modes of amendment.. and not giving priority to the ones ruled.
Illiterate leaders can only breed further illiteracy. The strategic solution? A literate electorate who can write on their ballots to vote away the non-literates.
VOTE AWAY THE NON LITERATES!
Aine Therese Ong Tambalque
ReplyDeleteMMG
C37
Their intellect has been replaced with greed and ignorance. *sigh*
ReplyDeletePeople sometimes blame others for not being educated, but really, even the ones who have been given that privilege should share the blame on why this country if slowly going down in flames.
Or maybe they just want to keep those people in the dark for their own sake. *shrugs* Who knows?
Rach C (Damage/d Contol) PoliSci c39
It has always been the same for our leaders. Nothing has changed. Our government system is great but the people running it is rotten. People always elect selfish and illiterate leaders. This has always been the course of our election and it had made me realize before that our case is hopeless. Thanks to the people who continuously fight for what is just and right! These people who fight for the truth keep my hopes high. I think that media can do more about educating people about electing wise and good leaders. Organizing debates among candidates and exposing other forms of corruption are just few examples of how they can help.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to illeteracy, public funds have been directed to other not so important projects like TVC's stating that government has done something good to the economy, local leaders posting tarpaulins and posters just to greet the people with important events in the community, etc. If these funds were all dedicated on improving the education and health of the people, i think we will have wiser and more productive citizens who will elect qualified leaders.
Reading this blog just makes my head boil because of the lack of concern for the greater population of our leaders. Are these the kind of leaders we want to run our communities? We don't need them if they have to be this way. I guess the real people who could save us is no one but ourselves and the change we want for the next generations. We appear to be victims here, naloko lang tayo lahat sa maling akala! What were these people thinking?? They should experience the lives of those who are in deep poverty and how hard it is that they're even pushed deeper below. Those who are in power aren't thinking at all. They're too selfish that they fail to see reality. They're losing their hearts for money.
ReplyDeleteKaryll Puray (POLISCI C39)
ReplyDeletePoliticians here in the Philippines are only active and good during election time. They fix the highways, beautify parks and historical places, give out education plans and so on, so that the people will think that they are GOOD LEADERS and should be elected. But after the election, after they achieved that certain position and POWER, they are nowhere to be found. All the promises to the people, the platforms and etc are just words that were not implemented.
ReplyDeleteThis situation had been repeated in the past elections. The media and other organizations are still campaigning for the voters to vote wisely but the power of money, corruption and injustice still prevail.
In my opinion, the only way for our country to excel is to stop CORRUPTION in government and private sectors.
Karen Ann Yang (CBE-MMG) block 18
POLISCI C37
The Americans once “rescued” the Philippines from the Japanese. But do Filipinos remember what happened next? The Filipinos had an American form of government. Are Americans really worth the trust? I guess not. Since then, they have tried to “help” the Philippines. But with their “help” comes “harm”. Many Filipinos and Filipinas suffered from the hands of the Americans. Just like Nicole, another Filipina emerges to fight for her rights lately. Will she get justice? It’s hard to tell. Let’s see if history won’t repeat itself this time
ReplyDeleteThen I thought we are talking about the people who are literally illiterates. I was mistaken. I believe that this thing really makes sense. We are very unfortunate! What we have are poor-skilled leaders, who even in the most obvious reasons, still can't see what the people are trying to imply. The most basic of skills, they do not possess, and yet, I thought I was bad enough. What we need are literate voters who could change this trend of growing illiterates in the government. All the while I thought education is the key to success? It seems that, that saying is slowly being inapplicable to the slowly ill-fated time in the society.
ReplyDeleteNicky Manzano
CBE-MMG
C37
SOMETHING TO POINT OUT:
ReplyDeleteOne thing I can really say about this is how much the government takes advantage of the people's lack of education. This is something that has never been removed in our country since the Spanish colonization. Those in power make use of the uneducated minds of those they govern so they can get their say on anything as well. Of course, this is speaking in general. However, if all Filipinos are to be given a chance to equal education, they will make a lot of realizations and finally see how corrupt our government is.
Another thing I can point out is that this is basically a cycle thing. The youth look up to those older than them, even those who govern them. Being led by corrupt members, they will too pick this up and once they get older, they will practice what theyve seen in these officials. Growing up in a country like this and with leaders like these will mold the youth into these kinds of people as well. What these officials fail to realize is that they too play an important role in setting a good example for the youth. While our country does not have developed leaders with the upright intentions, our country will never prosper.
PASION, Monica
POLISCI C37
Block 18