It's about time people stand up for their right to chart their own destiny.

There is no better time to realize the necessity for this than a time when the next election is just a couple of months away. The time is ripe given the maddening race of the entrenched to fortify their hold on power by fair means or foul. Well, mostly foul. We hear of incumbents fielding in either their spouses, children or any member of the clan. It does not matter anymore if the candidate being tossed up in their place is fit to run for public office, let alone capable of serving in the capacity that the position requires. Indeed, we have sunk so low as to throw delicadeza to the winds. Few people care for what is decent. What is important is that power continues to reside within the parameters and perimeters of the ruling family.

And yet, one also wonders why people allow this to happen.

There are many who gripe and complain and yet do nothing about it. Those who are in a position to challenge the anointed ones wag their tails at the mere sight of the awesome war chest of the enemy. The rest of the population, the voters who whine day in and day out about the excesses and extravagance of their elected officials are the first ones to make a beeline at the first sign of freebies. Like beggars lining up for alms, they hold their palms up for the alms-givers to see. It does not matter anymore that they are giving up much more than they are getting. For a few pesos, they are selling not only their votes, not only three more years of famine.

It seems like everybody is simply contented with the ritual of letting loose a barrage of broadsides against the comfortable. Nobody however is willing to do what needs to be done: to make sacrifices to purify ourselves of the evil that we have brought upon ourselves. Those who are in a position to aspire for public office shirk at the thought of giving up their hard-earned fortune, content with living the rest of their lives in comfort. All the rest who are entitled to vote willingly sell it to the highest bidder. Still, there are those who say that hope springs eternal. This means that there will still be those who are willing to run no matter what the odds. This means that there will still be those who insist in voting with their conscience as their only guide. Nothing more can be expected from both. In the final reckoning, it is better to have tried and lost than not to have tried at all. Whoever said miracles don't happen anymore?