The Vagueness of Politics, the Politics of Vagueness

MANILA — The more your hear and see the less you know. This seems to best describe what politicians articulate during press conferences and say in public, the current leading candidates for president included. They seem merely content with vague slogans: for Sen. Noynoy Aquino – “pagbabago” (change), Sen. Manny Villar – “sipag at tiyaga” (industriousness and persistence), Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro – “galing at talino” (good work and intelligence), MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando – reformer, performer, problem solver. Former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada has reprised his slogan of “Erap para sa Mahirap” (Erap for the poor).

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