‘A major test of the military’s professional loyalty to flag and country may soon be evident to all and sundry with the imminent issuance of the ICC arrest warrant for Duterte.’
POLITICAL scientist and retired UP political professor Clarita Carlos claimed that as president of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), she was exposed to corruption. But she refused to give in to tempting occasions for her to earn large sums of money.
She was a guest last Friday at the media forum Agenda in Greenhills, along with Bishop Ephraim Tendero, Global Ambassador of the World Evangelical Alliance. They were responding to the issue: “Are our democratic institutions being eroded by the rampant, unbridled corruption, the looming massive electoral fraud and the reign of political dynasties?”
She said that a major reason why corruption in government has become quite widespread is because the leaders of departments and agencies have allowed it. Carlos stressed that she would have nothing to do with corruption as she did not want to tarnish her name as a product of UP, and she feared a court trial and imprisonment.
On rumors of a brewing military coup, she explained that the military may not be inclined to join any extra-constitutional activity against the present government. Carlos pointed out that the sources of grievances or dissatisfaction of the Armed Forces had been largely addressed by the past and current administrations. She did not mention that former President Duterte won much of the military’s loyalty and trust by pampering and fattening its officers and men through substantial salary increases and bonuses.
A major test of the military’s professional loyalty to flag and country may soon be evident to all and sundry with the imminent issuance of the ICC arrest warrant for Duterte. There are speculations that Duterte will hole up in a secluded area in Mindanao to be protected and surrounded by a sizable military force assigned to the island.
During his recent trip to Mindanao, President Bongbong Marcos was taken aback by fresh reports that socio-political unrest is growing with the support of the military in the face of the arrest of Duterte.
For many decades, Mindanao has never ceased to be a powder keg, forcing past administrations to kowtow to entrenched political warlords instead of directly confronting them with the force of the law.
One huge example was the tyrannical and violent reign of the Maguindanao clan, who thought of themselves as above the law by slaughtering more than 50 unarmed civilians, including journalists.
There is, of course, little doubt that political dynasties are behind the candidacies of popular actors, actresses and other celebrities in Metro Manila and various provinces. Leaders of political dynasties know too well that the immense popularity and influence of these personalities will render them as virtual shoo-ins in the coming and future elections.
And they are right to think that their “investments” in the campaign would go a long way in their political agenda to use and exploit these entertainment figures.
Manny Pacquiao, Willie Revillame and Vilma Santos, who are also noted for their wealth, have really little to show for any social, economic and political expertise and experience. Shouldn’t they otherwise apply their widespread public influence and charisma to promote and pursue much-needed electoral reforms against, among others, various forms of election fraud and wrongdoing? Instead of taking an active part, condoning and encouraging the current culture of corruption, electoral fraud and political patronage that has gripped much of the nation?
