Metamorphosis
sgadia@theguidon.com
Millions of Filipinos suffered from the recent tropical storms’ wrath—family members missing, no belongings left to spare, and homes submerged underwater. While the aftermath of the typhoons took its toll on these victims, others took advantage of the whole situation.
There are the market vendors who have mindfully raised the prices of their goods despite the Palace’s advising them of a price control. There are those who lined up for relief goods when they were not victims of the calamities themselves. And with the 2010 elections looming in, there are the presidential aspirants who have continuously broadcasted their respective teams’ feats in aiding those who have been affected by the storm.
In such cases, one then should remind himself: not everything is about you.
In an article dated October 2, Michael Lim Ubac of the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that those eyeing the presidency are perhaps using their respective relief drives to propel their campaigns for 2010.
Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar with “Tulong Villar Relief Assistance” distributed food packs to
almost 70,000 flood victims, and has helped clean homes of 400 individuals. Billionaire Villar even used his chopper to drop off these food packs to families stranded on their rooftops.
Liberal Party standard-bearer Noynoy Aquino, alongside running mate Mar Roxas, has done his share of the work as well. “Operation Tulong Bayan” is Aquino’s way of providing aid to the needy. With the help of youth volunteers, more than 34, 000 families from Metro Manila, Rizal, and Baclaran have already been given assistance.
Joseph “Erap” Estrada and son Senator Jinggoy have also distributed relief goods to the Rizal, Marikina, and Pateros areas. Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero with supposed running mate Senator Loren Legarda under “Team Chiz” have also sent food packs to over ten affected areas.
Ironically, head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council—the committee in charge of addressing the aftermaths of storms like Ondoy—Lakas-Kampi-CMD party presidentiable Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. said that these politicians should not take advantage of relief operations to promote their respective campaigns.
It is at times like this when one questions if such politicians—even Teodoro—truly possess kind hearts or are simply finding the perfect opportunity to reinstate their ulterior motives. Now is not the time to satisfy selfish motives when many are still homeless, hungry, and devastated.
Making use of the situation to draw attention to platforms is insensitive and unbecoming of a citizen of a country known for values like bayanihan. Now, more than ever, Filipinos should come together to help those who are in need.
Such intentions for helping should not be tainted by politics. There is no need to gather the press in order to dish out the statistics—how many relief packs have been given, how many families have been served. What do these numbers prove?
Primary victims of these presidentiables’ ploy are voters in the 2010 national elections. These voters are then challenged to become more discerning in selecting a candidate they see fit to run the country. They should not be blinded by such acts of kindness. Genuine acts of kindness, after all, do not demand recognition or gratitude from those who benefit from them.
