The more the so-called “mid-term” election becomes nearer in date and observance, the more “songs” vows, promises, commitments – are sung/done by the political candidates not only in their many and different campaign stories but also in their tri-media abundant self-advertisements. Needless to say, such more and more avid political campaign propagandas vary in their intention and intensity, in their insistence and persistence.

Lately, there is one political self-selling ad that caught the attention of some people who love but simple lives, who have but simple needs, and who long for the attention of political candidates they see here and there, they hear now and then. Without the least intention of offending anybody, much less of discrediting someone, there is now one loud and repeated political promise made that is both an economic and social impossibility to accomplish. Yes, it is something not only enlivening but also endearing to hear. But yes too, after some more sober and sobering thoughts about it, the promise seems to be up there in “Cloud 9” – so to speak.

Here it is – or something like: “…tapusin na ang kahirapan… ang bawat pamilya may trabaho, negosyo, kumikita at umaasenso…” After hearing it: Awesome, outstanding, amazing! Inspiring, stimulating, encouraging! Heartening, breathtaking, overwhelming! After thinking about it: Ha? Who? What? Really? How? When?

It is possible that the concerned political candidate himself thought of and composed the above quoted nebulous promise and claim. It is probable that the campaign manager – of someone the like – of the political candidate imagined and wrote the pompous allegation and affirmation. But the on-the-ground reality simply says that the political promise is in the realm of dreams, in the sphere of fantasies. Would that it be otherwise! Would that the political candidate – if elected – not only remember but also accomplish even but a little bit of his campaign promise.
 

Even the incumbent administration has made a lot promises before the elections. More promises were made at the beginning of its term of office. To these days, even much more promises are being regularly made. Thus it is that as far as the present government is concerned, there is much truth in the saying that “Promises are made to be broken.”

Waiting for economically and socially possible political promises – sincerely yours, the Filipino people.

Oscar V. Cruz is an archbishop-emeritus of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. Visit his blog site to read more Viewpoints. Follow him on Twitter @ovcruz.