The Issue of Political Dynasty: Coherences exist to serve a common evil purpose

The 6-part television series is inspired by the true life of the late Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

This is a reaction to the television series, “Bayan Ko”, a political show in the Philippines which means, “My Nation” in English.

Episode 1 of the TV series:

In the fictional town of Lagros, the idealistic new Mayor faces some very real problems. Mayor Joseph Santiago discovers a bunch of wayward employees have turned the municipal hall into a boarding house and, worse, have been making under the table deals at every turn. His efforts to fight corruption–both petty and large scale-are blocked by a political dynasty led by Governor Antonio Rubio and Congressman Anton Rubio.

Reaction:

The issue of political dynasty in the country is not uncommon. Episode 1 of Bayan Ko powerfully illustrates this truth as the aspiring new Mayor, Joseph Santiago faces a political bond led by Governor Antonio Rubo and Congressman Anton Rubo. In the Philippines, though the Constitution (research this) prohibits such kind of political alliance, families and blood ties find ways to uphold a type of dynasty in the government to pursue personal interests.

For one thing, to have this kind of coherence is really tempting for it grants people special power to find the attainment of their purposes, which are mainly self-centered ones. It is all about power and money.

Different people of the same kin, united in one mind and distributed among different positions in a local or even national government entitles each of them to greater protection in authority. United, they could easily find ways to support each one if ever an ordinary citizen or a fellow politician or government official tries to attack or uproot them.

This kind of alliance also brings them to the fact that it assures them of continued material prosperity. What the father has experienced, the son and the grandson will also taste. What a flourish! It is like building a business, and the only investment is the same blood that travels through the veins. By this, financial security is at hand and inevitable.

This coherence also allows individuals to promote more their evil schemes. We all know the saying that Two heads are better than one, and yes this also applies to political dynasties, however much only stronger for many of them consist of more than just two kinsmen. They could tap the resources more effectively, hide anything that can be offensive to the public, and keep what they want without any notice. United, they could do more.

With all these facts said, a political dynasty could really be a powerful kingdom in a government. Not necessarily automatically evil, but every blood ties that exists in a local government faces the great temptation to be just like one that is seen in the television series.

Related articles

• Bayan Ko(TV Series): A TV Review (mariafetabangcura.wordpress.com)
• Dynasties in Democracies (shymay1996.wordpress.com)

Politics, the Prosperity Gospel, and the Christian Servant

What about a founder of a large Christian Church who decides to leave this spiritual leadership so he could serve in the political world of politics?Are Christians (which includes great Christian leaders) the only ones whom God has called to serve as public servants or politicians?I believe, that yes, God could use (as He has done in the past) even the unbelievers for His Kingdom purposes (Take a look in Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2). In fact, those whom He raised as politicians (public servants) are more equipped and trained in public service. And about their integrity? I know that there are some few out there whom He has preserved from the corruption of the heart regarding bribery, graft and corruption.
It is a very wrong view that God would not use the unbelievers for political purposes. More often than not, He uses the unbelievers for this purpose. And He calls the Church to influence the society more often through witnessing, having a holy life and getting involved in other social activities, rather than entering politics.

The church, very often, as evidenced in history, is easily corrupted when engaged in the world of politics. It is a wonder to me that many Christians today dream of getting rich, and even preach of getting rich and accumulating material prosperity in this world as a sign of God’s favor and approval. That is one inner motive why Christians enter politics – not really to serve, but to be served and for self-gain. Not all, but most of them.

But that was the opposite of the example of Jesus, the apostles, and the martyrs of the Church. They lived simple lives, the kind of life that looks on the eternal life with God as their inheritance. Their pleasures are fed on God, and not on the material things of this world. I am not against money or being rich, but I despise the passionate desire to be rich, especially among God’s servants. Surely, God has called a few people who will serve in the Kingdom by abundant giving and material resources but they are very few and in God’s design that is not always the case.

The prevailing Gospel today is the Prosperity Gospel (also called the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel), wherein it is taught that a Christian is destined to live a prosperous life – materially in this world as a sign of God’s approval. This is the Laodicean Church, the lukewarm church as portrayed in Revelation 3: 14-22. This Church has prosperity and material riches on the inside, but Christ was outside knocking at the door of their hearts. Take heed.

As a conclusion based on my daily observation in light of God’s Word:

1. Most Christians that enter politics are looking for self-gain and prosperity, inspired and motivated by their strong belief in the Prosperity Gospel.

2. Public service is only their second real agenda.

3. If elected, they will only bring economic prosperity, and not true spiritual progress. This may seem tolerable because as politicians, their primary aim is economic progress and not spiritual progress. My point is that their current thinking will sacrifice the spiritual to give way to the economical.

4. These kind of leaders will only lead the Church to aspire also for financial prosperity, sacrificing their spiritual condition before the Lord. Aiming for money and loving for Jesus could never go hand-on-hand. They will always be against each other.