Hooray! The pork barrel has been slain!
In a landmark decision that could spell the end of political patronage, the Supreme Court on Tuesday declared unconstitutional past and present congressional pork barrel laws as it ordered the criminal prosecution of individuals who had benefited from the schemes over the past two decades.
Of course, we still have to be vigilant lest our notoriously crafty congressmen and senators find a way to circumvent the judgment. But still, this is quite a victory and it affirms what the rest of the Filipino people know about the pork barrel.
I've always been impressed about the US electoral system (despite its shortcomings), where an ordinary school teacher can run for Congress and have a decent shot at winning a seat. Without the pork barrel, the same thing can happen to us.
First, without the incentive offered by the pork barrel, many of our current elected officials will lose the motivation (not to mention the financial means) of running for a post. The void will be filled by those whose hearts are more sincere.
Second, this decision levels the playing field. Without the pork barrel, candidates are forced to win votes not through buying them but by actually marketing their capabilities to a hopefully more discerning public.
Third, without the pork barrel, political dynasties can now be readily toppled in favor of a more democratic arena. Without the cash cow, most dynasties cannot expect to fund their campaigns come election time.
This is a very exciting time in Philippine politics and I'm so glad to have been a witness to this momentous event in our history.
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