Political parties do not serve our interests as a people, two out of every three Filipinos surveyed revealed.

That is the state of the nation today - politics without conviction, politicians without principles. This is a result of the death of the two-party system - unlike the vibrant days of the Nacionalista Party and Liberal Party. It was front-page news, a major event for a politician to bolt a party, then. What about now?

What prevails today is the ineffective multi-party system - which does not make sense in presenting especially probable local candidates for the May Polls. Almost to a town, the Opposition is conspicuous by its absence of a slate from mayoralty down to the town councilors. Province-wise, Bohol 1st District Rep. Edgar Chatto and 2nd District Rep. Roberto Cajes have phantom contenders from the other side of the ring.

Last-termer Governor Rico Aumentado seems like a runaway winner - with perhaps token opposition - especially now that Boholano popular actor-Director Cesar Montano has stuck to his senatorial bid instead of opposing the governor.

With the filing deadline just 12 days away, expect "midnight party affiliation" of candidates in order to have complied with the Comelec requirement for an accredited party affiliation. It is a marriage of convenience, which as in the real world, do not really last that long. But whatever, they go on - and exploit each other.

Since parties are bereft of definitive platforms to espouse their advocacies - there is nothing for candidates to immerse themselves in terms of ideological moorings - whether you are an old timer or a recent refugee. The system, in fact, perpetuates the propagation of candidates without conviction - only guided by their own selfish interest which they skillfully try to hide from public view.

For instance, the rapidity by which candidates jump from the moneyed administration block parties like Lakas and Kampi to the other's ship - is clearly manipulative and self-serving. We hope the electorate can notice the charade.

In the 3rd District, administration ally BM Dionisio Balite bolted Lakas for GMA's Kampi and formed his own slate for three Sangguniang Panlalawigan posts. Gov. Rico's Lakas will likewise field a complete team - for a slambang bout.

On the aside, it is interesting to note, that at least three of the four perceived candidates in that District, had somehow been associated with print media - in the hope perhaps that by using the power of the pen through their individual newspapers, they can influence people's votes during elections.

Provincial Senior BM Balite's family owns Bohol Times, lawyer Alexander Lim publishes the Bohol Standard and former Governor Rene Relampagos mused to run a weekly called Sano. Of course, this is a free country - and to each his own gimmick and propaganda tools.

Still, the issue of banning turncoatism, the strengthening of the Party System and the strict rule on anti-dynasty should be tackled by Congress or a New Constitution - whichever gets the first chance. Allowing relatives to run over an expired post is against the spirit of the limitation of tenure of office - don't you think?

The whole political party system is such a large mess.

PHILIPPINES' DOUBLE STANDARD

With respect to human rights violations, the Philippines' ambivalent attitude towards the United States is a case of double standard.

The American Senate Committee on Human Rights, particularly US Senator Barbara Boxer, had cautioned the USA to limit its Military Aid (worth US200-M) or (P10-B in the last three years) to the Philippines because of violations of human rights. The USA, the fountainhead of democracy, cannot accept in conscience, sending bullets and guns to this country that has so far reported unsolved 830-extra-judicial killings of mostly militants, farmers and journalists.

The Melo Commission and the United Nations had pointed that many of the killings could be pointed to security forces - but nonetheless placed the buck at the doorsteps of the government, particularly the Office of the President.

Before the chorus of "blackmail and meddling" by the government apologists, the country must present its side, so that there is no pre-judgment. All it has so far said is that there are killings attributed to the "purgings" done by the Communist Party-NPA and that the Party list groups, most particularly, Anak Bayan, Gabriela and Anakpawis, among others - are fronts of the rebels and are using funds for the benefit of the dissidents.

In any case, in both cases, if they have the evidence, the Government should arrest the "purgers" and the Party List representatives who gave aid and comfort to the enemy. Otherwise, all these allegations, will chiefly be viewed as Propaganda.

Senator Miriam Santiago raps the USA for "meddling" when in fact the latter should be investigated for its alleged human rights violations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guatanamo in Cuba. In another non-sequitor, Senator Ed Angara says that the USA anti-terror bill is more repressive than the Philippine's version.

Both senators' stance do not answer the question whether there are extra-judicial killings in the country perpetrated by a rogue military faction and does not recognize the fact that unlike the USA, the Philippines does not give Military Aid to America. Who has the better right to complain about human rights violations?

The Government and its cohorts are so vocal in denouncing the "meddling" in political affairs of the USA and yet issues a deafening silence to accusations that American soldiers themselves are holding a lot of forums in Zamboanga accusing certain party-list groups as fronts of the communists and should not be voted to office.

Certainly, foreign visitor-soldiers cannot arrogate a right to influence Filipinos to choose who has the right to be elected to political positions in this country.

Let's be straight and act consistently since what is good for the goose must certainly be good for the gander. No double standards, please.