| Photo by Jakub Zerdzzicki on Unsplash
H. E. Babes Romualdez, the Philippine ambassador to the United States of America, aptly described the ongoing tragedy along the Nepal-China border. He adeptly compared it to natural disasters that occurred in the Philippines and some other countries. Readers may read the full article in this article, “Himalayan landslide can very well happen to us (Filipinos).”
Ambassador Romualdez wrote two paragraphs that should sober up policymakers and decision-makers in many countries, including the Philippines. And the voters that sent their leaders to take control of the corridors of governmental power.
He wrote: “But too often, we describe these events as natural disasters when it is human actions that have made them deadlier. Illegal logging strips mountains of roots that help hold soil together and absorb rainfall. Kaingin and uncontrolled land conversion expose slopes to erosion.
“Mining and quarrying can destabilize terrain when laws, engineering standards, and environmental safeguards are ignored. Roads and settlements are built in areas classified by geohazard maps as highly susceptible. Rivers are narrowed or clogged, while watersheds lose their capacity to slow and store water. Then the rains come – and government officials act surprised.”
This journalist wrote on May 5, 2024, “‘Patal Attraction’ Is the Main Problem in Philippine Politics”. It was a summary of the results of the May 9, 2016, elections when this writer went back to his home province of Sorsogon and ran for governor. He lost and he ended up fifth out of eight candidates.
Here are the first two paragraphs of said column article: QUOTE. “Patal Attraction” is not a sequel to the 1987 movie hit “Fatal Attraction.” Remember the film starring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer?
“Patal” is a Sorsoganon word for “dumb.” Or at least “not street smart.” According to some Sorsoganons, the phrase means the attraction of Filipino politicians to enact dumb policies and dumber decision-making processes. However, many of their constituents — marginalized as they are — seldom protest and still vote for them. Why? Because folks say that a sufficient number of “patal voters” elect “patal politicos” — on a mutual-attraction basis.
After the election, the winners start to earn back the hundreds of millions of pesos used to buy votes. How? By building prestige projects that are really white-elephant infrastructures like constructing a sports stadium to host national games. After the event is held, it is idle. It does not generate jobs with decent and livable wages. More often than not, politicians also own construction companies that win contracts to build infrastructure. UNQUOTE. To read the “Patal Attraction” column article, please go to this link:
As this series has been arguing, the Filipino Melting Pot, which is now nearing 100 countries, may hold the key to ridding the Philippines of the “Patal Attraction” by the 2028 election.
