I Like! Life Is But A Popularity Contest

Blog reaction for January 16, 2012:
Random political thoughts when we talked about Popular Culture and Politics

I admit, I am not really that much updated of the "latest buzz" in the Philippine political setting. Yes, you guys guessed it! I am indeed talking about the Supreme Court Chief Justice, C.J. Corona Impeachment Trial.

However, before you blame and criticize me on my lack of responsibility as a Political Science major, a registered voter and law-abiding citizen and a responsible individual (if you must say so), I would first like to say that generally, I do know what it's about, how it should go, who are the people involved and all those basic know-how. What I am not aware of are the specific details of the teeny tiny dialogues, arguments, and actual proceedings.

If you ask me, no matter how long this trial will be or how many more enemies or alliances they get along the way, in the end, it will simply be based on none other than popularity.

Popularity - the quality or state of being popular/favored (Definition by Meriram Webster Dictionary online)

These days, it is easy to become popular and we all know why. Technology and its media: the internet and everything in cyberworld as well as both the traditional and the modern computers and gadgets, transmit culture and politics and everything in between, whether we are aware of it or not. Because of this, popularity easily became the basis for competitions and contests.

Facebook's infamous "Like" button

Example 1: Nudo Swimwear bikini give away contest

In order to join this this contest, you must first Like their page, then invite all your friends to Like this page as well, then when the page finally hits 5,000 fans, with no other basis whatsoever, they pick a winner randomly! Popularity is a major consideration.

Example 2:  Make It Makati Photo Competition

This are posters for Makati's famous Make it Happen, Make It Makati photo contest. In this contest, qualifying photos need to garner as much Likes as possible in order to win the grand prize! This so-called photo contest does not consider the quality, the styling nor the composition of any of the photos. It is solely based on "Popularity", once more.

Example 3: THE C.J. CORONA IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

Source: http://www.chanrobles.com/legal11impeachmentrules.htm

The Senate of the Philippines

From what I understood in Chan Robles' respectable blog, I realize that the trial basically lies all in the hands of our trusted, our beloved, Senate. Almost everything, from the presiding of the Senate President, to everyone else's enforcement of obedience to their orders, mandates, writs and judgments. They are also in charge of punishing and has authority to punish over orders, mandates, writs or judgments. They also make all lawful orders, rules and regulations which they think are essential or conducive to the ends of justice.

Finally, the Senate is entirely responsible for the final decision.

Is Chief Justice Corona popular enough to make a majority of the Senate Like him?
Is he popular enough to get through this impeachment or not?

That is the big question.



♥ Reese Corpuz