Thanks from Dr. Martin Bautista
The election is over. It’s time to examine and explain my participation in it to both skeptics and sympathizers alike.
I gave up a flourishing medical practice in America, joined
Kapatiran and ran for the Senate because I wanted not merely to prove a
point, but to live by it.
And the point is this: we can change our country, help our people –
not by talking or theorizing but by actually doing something about it.
One cannot simply make a statement. He must apply it in his life by
example, by involvement, by action. Our political campaign was such a
statement.
Did we succeed? We did not get enough votes for a seat in the
Senate. But we did get the attention of the electorate and, more
importantly, we made people aware of alternative solutions, better
political options.
We demonstrated that it is possible to conduct an open, honest, vigorous campaign on programs, not personalities.
We showed that there is no need for false promises, political
gimmickry, immoderate spending; but that there is a need for continuing
communication, defending and justifying our positions and priorities.
Our fundamental premise is this: Politics is not a means of
livelihood. It is not an economic investment that will pay off in
future material gain. Politics is a way of giving, of sharing, of
helping. It is not soliciting support but providing it. It is not about
rendering service in the Senate when elected, but rendering service
now, in the present, in this time and place, in one's capacity as a
candidate, a citizen, a Filipino of compassion.
If we have redefined politics in the Philippines even in a small,
tentative way, then we have been fully recompensed for our efforts. The
accomplishments of our greatest heroes cannot be judged in the
simplistic terms of triumph or defeat. Like Burgos, Gomez and Zamora,
the Kapatiran candidates won no instant victory. But they achieved a
beginning, advanced the cause for reform, and awakened a hope that such
reform is possible.
A personal note of accountability: We received donations from many
sectors of society. Added to our own private contribution to the
campaign, the total amount exceeded our modest campaign expenses. The
balance we shall turn over to Gawad Kalinga in accordance with our
conviction that politics is not an enterprise for profit.
Finally I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to all the men and
women of goodwill who stand with us in the common belief in a Filipino
future.
Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.
Martin D. Bautista, MD
forwarded by Rachelle C. Garcia (cheegarcia@gmail.com)
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