Five Election goals Rizal Can Share with Political Aspirants

By Timothy Justin Francisco
Valenzuela City, MM
December 19, 2015



We are just months away from the next general elections in May 2016. Though still a bit far off, you can feel it in the air—like the cold breeze of Christmastide. Aspirants are now bantering their names bold and proud, and sometimes, in unexpected places: in funerals, zumba classes, birthday parties, or even in inter-school contests. Excited as the aspirants are, are they also now more eager to sling mud at each other, to the point that they might even dare face-to-face slapping?

One thing is for sure: they all revere our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.

From our great national hero, we—including those in politics—can get nuggets of wisdom that can help the candidates develop ways to reform and develop our beloved land. Here are five things from Rizal that we can all ponder on.

1. Develop science and technology
Rizal is a known patron of science and technology. In Dapitan, his experimental base, he developed irrigation, installed street lamps fueled with coco oil, practiced his medical profession, studied the local flora and fauna, and devised agricultural methods. With this, we can say that Rizal is a lover of science and technology. His passion for it contributed to the improvement of the lives of the Dapiteños. If all aspirants were like him, the Philippines could well emulate Japan, a highly progressive country.

2. Empower Women
Remember the Women of Malolos? They had a noble purpose—to create a school so the budding businessmen and professionals could learn Spanish and other arts. Though hindered by the local friars, their unrelenting persistence persuaded then-Governor General Valeriano Weyler to support the school. Rizal sent a letter congratulating them, at the same time encouraging them to continue and reinforce their work for civil rights and creation of a cultured, educated society. By advocating women’s rights, candidates also support gender equality and development. And this enhanced emancipation could produce a more participative society.

3. Upgrade Education; teachers and texts
In Rizal’s life, education was a principal influence, from his childhood learning of the alphabet from his mother, to his doctoral studies in Madrid. As a teacher, he shared his vast knowledge with the youth of Dapitan, nurturing their minds in reading, arithmetic, writing, and practical arts. By making Rizal an icon of youth education, presidential aspirants should work to improve in the Philippines: 1) enhance the current curriculum of the new K12 program; 2) build more classrooms; 3) publish more text books; 4) recruit more teachers and establish a system of continuing education for teachers; 5) engage the youth in worthwhile and personality-developing projects within their NSTP program. When encouraged and prioritized, the youth can be the backbone of the nation for the young educated generation are ready to support the thrusts of the country in leadership, trade, academe, and social development.

4.  Develop local agribusiness
In Dapitan, Jose Rizal was an agriculturist. He farmed the land and raised animals to sustain food needs and develop agri-business for livelihood. Almost everywhere in the Philippines, agriculture is a major economic activity. If nurtured and developed correctly, agri-business provides food security. We could then avoid rice shortage and crop failures, and provide for damage inflicted by regular typhoons. Presidential and senatorial hopefuls should include agricultural development in their national agenda. We need an intensified agrarian reform to include farmer subsidy, fishery sciences, cooperative lending systems and continuing workshops for rural workers to improve their agribusiness techniques. If support for agriculture is increased, then food security will increase, more chances that people can regularly have food on their tables.

5. Fight Corruption and Aggression
Throughout his life, Rizal encountered aggression and corruption, particularly from the friars and the colonial administrators. Political aspirants could win votes by taking a strong stance against aggression and corruption. The poor, the indigenous societies, the oppressed-- they all need a voice to protect their rights, to improve their lot. Candidates seeking an elected position will soon become the known voice of all walks of life, and especially of the poor. Candidates should rise to the epitome of their calling—to serve the masses. Candidates, once elected, should they forget what they’ve promised, they become the biggest dummies of the future.  

For prospective political candidates, Rizal’ life and beliefs stand as a model platform for politicians. Not just promises and fantasies. Instead of trying to ‘slap’ the mistakes of other aspirants, candidates should reflect on these five issues based on Rizal’s life and reformulate them into the party platform.

Promises cannot be real without action. Our country is reeking with problems, corruption and inadequacies.

Now is the key  opportunity for candiates to give life to our country by designing a platform that responds to the problems of the country, as Rizal did in Dapitan.

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Author Timothy Justin Francisco High School teacher, St. Joseph School of Lawang Bato, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila and former KAPARIZ National Convenor .