NEW POLITICS

The directions of the third force politics in our country is now taking shape. Although the organizers will not admit that it is such, the moves of the Transform Politics Movement or the Transformers, point to that direction: becoming a factor to contend with in the field of politics, vis-a-vis the old political parties that date back to many decades ago.

In its last meeting today, the 22nd of November 2009, the suggestions for the Peoples' Agenda were discussed which augur well the objectives of most of the non-government organizations like those programs for healthcare -- free; education -- free up to college; energy -- exploration of new alternative fuels; politics -- more grassroots participation in local and national politics; gender equity, and many more. These suggestions will be brought up in the General Assembly to be held sometime in December with the date to be announced by the main facilitator, Roy Cabonegro.

The birth of the TPM which arose out of the Peoples' Primaries discussions that started in the house of Patrick Pantaleon in Forbes Park and then had its assemblies at the Asian Institute of Management and Miriam College this year gives a very optimistic view of politics in our country. Many participants are idealists yet are grounded in the realities of our socio-political lives.

We can no longer remain mum in the face of so many problems we have been suffering from. Neither can we contain our desire to express ourselves politically anymore. TPM shall cultivate the voices of the people to express their preferences in terms of elections, governance, and the accountability of the officials, among others.

Times have changed since the eighties when all we wanted was to boot out the dictatorship; hence when Cory took over as president we had felt so comfortable and thought that she could do everything for us. Now we know, after 23 years that we must also take responsibility to steer the country into the kind of directions that we want -- truthful, honest and makamasa governance.

Our involvement is just starting and we cannot hope to achieve an overnight change. Change shall come, step by step, so long as we are aware of where we are, we know the proper methods to use, and that we can be more patient in dealing with our colleagues -- whether they have a penchant for grandstanding or not so long as they are sincere, or a desire to be heard.

Maybe the birth of new politics eggs many people to make speeches and so we must allow everyone to do so -- but also remind them that others may also want to share their ideas.

Yes, democracy is now taking root in our country and the greater thing is that we now know that speaking, negotiating, debating, arguing, arriving at a consensus are a big factor in making changes; that everyone will have a chance to speak and to contribute their ideas on the table.

So we say, "Welcome to the world of new politics." Let us protect it and make it mature more.

(For those who want to join the General Assembly of the TPM, please contact Roy Cabonegro at 09294418247).


- painting by Henri Matisse