Disobedience

Chapter 39: Passport

Kimberly Jane

"So what are the general qualifications to become a politician here in the Philippines?" I asked my class as my erasable marker silently squeaks against the whiteboard. When I turned around as I held the marker in my hand, I saw several students with their hands raised. My eyes briefly wandered to my darling at the back of the class.

"Go ahad, Jenna." I said to a student who was sitting in the front row.

"Kailangan po artista ka, Attorney." Sagot niya na ikinatawa ko. More laughs erupted from her fellow classmates.

I pointed at another student urging him to say what's in his mind. He said, "Vlogger po."

"Wrong. You have to be a daughter of a millionaire." I winked at them.

The whole class laughed again.

"Anybody else?"

"Former athlete po."

"T.V show host."

The classroom was filled with laughter once more.

They weren't lying, for the longest time, anybody but actual politicians filled the senate house' seats. It was a sad reality until Madame President changed the rules, she passed a law called the Anti-popular law, which covers political dynasties—no family is allowed to have more than four family members in the political system. If you're running for a big position like Senatorial, you must have a college degree related to politics or a study of Philippine governance. You must also have served in lower positions like Mayor and Governor and must do a presentation of everything you have done on the national T.V and while you're doing so, you're getting fact-checked.

In a way, it was a form of accountability that appears to work so far.

"You see, being a politician is more than just about being popular. If any of you are planning to run for office in the future, I need you to know the extent of your responsibilities." I said as I walked in front of the lecture hall, my hand still holding the marker. "A lot of people do not realize this and so, they see political positions as a symbol of status in the society, when in reality it is not. It doesn't matter kung kapitan ka or presidente ka ng Pilipinas. At the end of the day, you're not there to sit pretty and spend the tax money for yourself. You are there to serve the people who did not and did vote for you.."

"I'm not saying that our success as citizens should rely on the government, all I'm saying is that; wouldn't success be more accessible to everyone if the government actually worked for its people?" I asked rhetorically and they started nodding in agreement. "The tax money going into roads, public schools, more salaries for very underpaid public school teachers, and so on. That'd be a better way to spend our tax money instead of using it to fatten the corrupt politicians' pockets, right?"

"Attorney Wencezlao for President!"

"It wouldn't be fair though since celebrity ako." I jokingly flipped my blonde hair and I saw him grinning from ear to ear.

"Ayeeee!" Sabay-sabay namang sabi ng mga estudyante ko.

I chuckled and shook my head.

"Alright, I need y'all to remember what I just said since may pop quiz tayo after class." I said and they all groaned.

*.*.*.*.*.*

"It's funny that I don't know where his passport is." Bungad sa akin ni Dominic nang walang paalam siyang pumasok sa opisina ko.