Chris Cesar B. Lagrio Opinion: Politicians can learn from prison gangsters.

Seeing the posters of the politicians months before the elections is no longer new to us, right? No matter how they mask their agenda, their motive of getting an early lead in terms of exposure is stinking already. What amazes me are the faces in a group poster. Take my place for example. Former political opponents are now allies, those who used to belong to the same party now finds themselves pitted against each other. These actions of the politicians give the saying In politics, there no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests a very bad name. ***** I was chatting with my friends when our conversation was turned to the topic of politics. Naturally, the changing of allies of politicians was tackled. One of my friends commented, If a prisoner decides to leave his gang to join another, he will surely die. Changing allegiances is unacceptable to prisoners. I reflected on my friends statement. I realized how ironic it is that for these clients of the correctional system, imprisoned for their misdemeanors, live and die with their prison gang and the ideals the gang stood for. They are very clannish, stringent in accepting new members and hostile towards traitors. On the other hand, out politicians would change political affiliations as if theyre changing clothes. Commonly, the reasons for a politicians defection to another party are: (a) not being selected as the standard bearer in the position he is eyeing; (b) he is at odds with another party member, or worse the entire party; (c) he wants to be associated with a very famous candidate; and (d) they are doing so in exchange for some favors from the political group they are joining. There are more probable reasons for this but every one has a single bottomlinegaining and remaining in power. ***** This phenomenon of changing political groups is one of the effects of having a multiparty system. If one is not satisfied in his party, he might join another, or worse he will establish his own party. I believe that many of our politicians are guilty of this. Im dreaming of a political scenario in our country where politicians remain faithful to their political parties until they die. How comforting would it be when all that the voters can do is to select the political party that he thinks will bring out better

things for us. For now, Im reminding myself that it may not be possible in the near future since we have very immature politicians and voting population. It will take until we achieve a very mature election system. Ill just continue dreaming.