ONCE upon a time in our fledgling democracy, people who sought elective office assiduously cultivated a public life of honor, dignity and excellence. They became larger-than-life presences because of their personal magnetism, eloquence, and deep understanding of the imperatives of public office and governance. Broadcast media appearance and noise became a very effective substitute for the assiduously cultivated public life. From then on, aspirants for elective public office no longer needed to possess the intellectual capacity and aptitude it requires. All one has to do is to get sustained exposure on broadcast media, preferably television.

Source: Manila Times October 25, 2023 17:18 UTC