A Third political party in the Philippines

Title

Creator

Dee, Perla S.

Language

English

Year

1965

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

A THIRD POLITICAL PARTY IN THE PHILIPPINES A student, during a college examination for creative thinking, wrote that he pre ferred that the Third Force start fielding their candidates for “maybe next elections.” But if they start now — as they have already done — and they fail, this “would certainly be a good lesson for the coming generation that 'haste is waste’ ” and teach us that “the big things always begin small.” This answer is part of an analysis made to answer an examination question. The problem allowed a choice of agreement or disagreement with the Third Force’s deci sion to join the presidential race and for the rest of the elective posts. If the student agreed, he was asked to sug gest ways to improve winning chances; if he disagreed to suggest what role or activities the Third Force should un dertake for better govern ment. Eighteen students approv ed of the Third Force’s elec tion bid, and thirteen disap proved. Most of the 31 stu dents, however, whether they approved or not of the Third Force’s election plans, warn ed against “campaign dirt” — nam^-calling, empty words, destructive criticism, unsup ported charges, impossible or false promises, and so on, in cluding attacks on either the Nacionalista party or the Li beral party. Three students expressed distaste over pub licity and wrote that the Third Force members should avoid being in the limelight. Those who supported the Third Force bid generally agreed on more publicity and on a program of promoting “economic prosperity, social values, increased food pro duction.” For the campaign several suggested listing pro blems and evaluating what has been done about them, starting projects that will 4 Panorama "impress,” and living among the rural folk to attend to farmers’ problems. To ac complish these, according to the students, the following must be done: 1. Organize a club among the poor and needy. 2. Introduce ways of earn ing a living like home in dustries. 3. Undertake projects like establishing more public libraries, and more toilets; improving the railway system, and providing ade quate water supply. 4. Create a committee to "check up on the work of government officials.” 5. Become ideal leaders in their own families and communities. Do not to lerate show7off sons. Pre sent public statement of assets. Participate in anti-smuggling campaign. Among those who disap proved, the general opinion is that the Third Force has a “very slim chance” of win ning, and that “it’s a waste of time.” They also feel that the Third Force has to prove itself and its motives. This is very significant as it re flects now the thought be hind the many quips that the PPP has drawn. We may recall that the PPP conven tion has been called a U.P.Ateneo alumni homecoming, an oratorical contest, and a launching pad for the pres idential ambitions of Senators Manahan and Manglapus . So what would our students have the Third Force do? Analyzing its membership, one student wrote that with the Third Force’s "brains, financial resources, and so cial prominence,” it can work toward "economic and indus trial stability — help by sug gesting ways and financing.” Another wrote that if its acti vities are directed toward ci vic, cultural, and economic projects, “we can imagine how much work they can do.” Two students suggested that the Third Force could be the “medium for the voice of the people to be heard.” However, someone approved of at least having candidates for the minor posts to start off being "in.” Afterward, as another student put it, "they may reap the crop for the next harvest — that is during the next elections.” The civic, cultural, and October 1965 5 economic projects suggested include the following: 1. Promotion of peaceful and orderly elections. Creation of a 12-man com mittee to assist the Com mission on Elections. 2. Charity work. 3. Cleanliness and beautifi cation campaign. 4. Development of patriot ism. 5. Exchange of opinions with people. 6. Encouragement for the use of the “mind to in vent.” Item “5” could be a warn ing bell to the Third Force. A party that to speak for the people should avoid indul gence in oratory and slogan eering. The other suggestions reveal much of the temper of the young: they want action — drab and unglamorous and hard but concrete. It may be an anonymous and thank less job, but as one student suggested, the Third Force may join the “party of lesser evil” and “reform the party from within.” That takes some doing, indeed, than run ning for president. From both sides we may infer that our young are look ing for new leadership which can direct a shift in the prac tice of political craftsman ship. They are looking for a positive outlook where co operation takes the place of the current trend to down grade in order to rise to top government positions. The students do not go with the idea that government can be improved by running for election. The impression has now probably grown among these students that the Third Force is nothing more than a group out to perpetrate the image of the Outstanding Young Man out to Revolt Against Tradition by becoming pres ident or vice president. What hopes therefore could we hold out for that muchvaunted deviation from the NP and the LP? - Perla S. Dee. 6 Panorama

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