From Bob & Joy

Hi Si Raoul ,

Of course, I'd be honored that my little "2 cents worth" of comments gets posted somewhere else. And esp to the right audience who might need this kind of enlightenment on topics that are most crucial to them.

As I said, if majority of the voting population are educated, then they will tend to make more informed decisions when they vote... and the long term effect means - squandering politicians will eventually feed away, and good leadership will prevail. But as long as the people "feed" the bad habits of the community's local governance - these politicians are similar to pests and weeds that will always stay around, and it will always be a problem like a chronic disease that will never go away.

It's quite appalling that everyone tend to blame the people's "culture". The Maranao people has the richest and most colorful culture I've known in all of Mindanao. But for along time - and until I came here to US, my perspectives on Mindanao has totally changed. I had never realized Filipinos seem to always bark at the wrong tree... not knowing that the real root cause of all these problems is not the "culture" of the people but the adverse effects of an ill-informed society and a community deprived of the Government's services and access to mainstream educational infrastructures.

'or maybe MSuans ought to launch a massive educational campaign and provide computers and Internet access to all elementary students all around Lake Lanao and other Mindanao provinces!! Ha-ha!!

I heard Bill Gates Foundation did that for South African children... but that's another story.

It's nice talking to you,
Joy
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Hi Joy,

This is a nice write-up. Can I post it in my blog at http://www.aratawata.com? I am hoping that with this blog we can freely discuss our problems without intimidations from our politicians, friends and relatives.

I believe it's our false maratabat and the (national) government failure to enforce the law that causes the election failure in Lanao. I can say that in my little municipality, the people are educated enough (because of MSU). If COMELEC will strictly enforce the election law, ie. disqualify any candidate who buy votes, pad or destroy ballot boxes then the problem will lessen. Our false maratabat is to vote for a politician even if we know that he is a proven thief. Most people do it for money though.

Thanks,

...si raoul
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Hello Bob, Raoul, and Richard,

I think the root cause of these problems lie much deeper than that. It is not about the culture of a people, nor it is the squandering style of the current generation of politicians nor it's the lack of good leadership in these areas.

The chronic problem lies on the low level of literacy among the majority of the population in these areas. High level of illiteracy is the root cause of all the other problems that besieged these already poor provinces. It seems the "short term" solution cannot be achieved in the current generation - but the long term cure is to "educate" the younger generation, and future leaders, on the benefits a stable local Government and why it is important to the economic progress of their community.

MSU can sponsor massive educational campaign around these small towns on different topics and subject areas that gives the people around the "Lake" a different perspective of how things should be and what could be better for their community.

In my hometown here in Virginia for example, the public schools and universities always involved the community in many socio-economic programs; they'd sponsors children's art contest, community projects for young children, conduct classroom seminar on environmental preservation awareness, etc and the subtle emphasis is all about making the right choices for the common good. Last week, my son's school had a "student council election". Middle school student's were taught the intricacies of an election by popular votes, and learned how to cast their votes, student candidates campaign around the classroom (for real!), and overall it was a fun learning experience for the young elementary students.

Maybe the MSU main can sponsor field trips for these young students, and give classroom campaign and seminars around the lake... and seriously take the lead in launching an educational revolution among the young and future leaders of Mindanao.. which is the only way anyone can think of to alleviate such problems. Otherwise, the same chronic diseases will always be the hindrance to achieving a stable government, economic progress, and long term peace in these areas.

Joy Ziegler
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I always thought that our (Maranao) corrupt politicians are the problem. But I was gravely mistaken. It’s our people and our false maratabat. Pilandok is so bankrupt that he will vote for Lucifer if he give him money.

My brother-in-law ran for Municipal Mayor but he did not buy votes because we want him to run a clean government if he win. We were hoping that our Municipality will be a good model for the province. If he doesn’t give money, he doesn’t have to steal so there will be developments. It’s that simple. But the people didn’t buy it. Even our close relatives did not vote for him. The other 2 candidates did not even campaign. They just let their money (tens of millions, 5k per vote) talk for them.

I think, Lanao del Sur will be better off if we do away with elections. Just appoint a Christian Military Governor and Mayors. And maybe, in the future, allow elections one town at a time.

I am sad for my people.

...si raoul

The email that started it all...

Hi Joy,

Our MSUan Maranao brothers and sisters are quite sad as well that till now, electoral exercises in their homeland are as messy as they used to be. Seems like there's no foreseeable cure ever.
...

Bob L.