How does one define a trapo? Perhaps a better approach to define a trapo is by comparing a politician from a statesman. According American theologian and author James Clarke Freeman, “A politician thinks of the next elections, a statesman thinks of the next generation”. A trapo talks while a statesman walks it. A trapo is disposed to think about himself while a statesman is disposed to think of others. A trapo is an ideologue while a statesman is open-minded (Sanchez, 2009). A trapo is drunk with power while a statesman is sober from reality. Undeniably, trapos are a stigma for politicians and aspiring candidates, a threat to the liberty of the Filipino people and an epitome of incompetence of leaders in our society. 

“Trapo” is a fusion of the first syllables of words “traditional” and “politician”. In our language, trapo is known to be a synonym for “basahan”, a used cloth to wipe away dirt and dust, which is quite an appropriate analogy to politicians with evil motives and overused dirty tactics. Several claims and arguments on whoever and when this word was used have arisen as it has been used by many Filipinos in the present. There were claims that “trapo” was first coined by Antony Abaya in 1989 (Sanchez, 2009) in one of his columns for The Standard Today, defining what a traditional politician was. But a counterclaim debunked Abaya’s ownership on the word, arguing that Sorsoganons actually invented the word “trapo” (Reyes, 2009). Unfortunately, there are no concrete evidences to support these claims. But how can we distinguish traditional politicians from genuine politicians? Filipinos have come up with a certain criteria which they can distinguish a trapo from a good politician. If a candidate characterizes one or more of these criteria, then he or she is already to be considered as a traditional politician. 

 In the present time, Filipinos use the word trapo as a cry of lament on such politicians. The proliferation in the usage of this word among Filipinos is notable on social media platforms, most especially in news threads of the upcoming 2016 national elections. A politician or even an aspiring candidate is to be considered as trapo if he or she has records of corruption in the tenure of his or her political career, a part of a political dynasty, overspends during the campaign period and does not have any solid political ideology. Netizens vehemently criticize politicians who embody the characteristics of a traditional politician, even urging other Filipino voters not to include the names of these candidates in their ballots. They see them as “trapos” since they do not represent any characteristics of an ideal leader, a stigma of politicians and aspiring candidates. They are dog-tired of getting through the same problem in every administration, which has been reprising over the past few years. 

Undoubtedly, the presence of these trapos in the government is a threat to the liberty of the Filipino people for these politicians compromise the avenue towards progress and prosperity of the nation. Voters tend to make risky decisions in choosing who will lead the country, especially in the case where they can’t see anyone who has the capability to be the predecessor of the current administration. Some voters even jump in the bandwagon initiated by poll surveys since they are still undecided on who to choose (Osorio, 2015). Such decisions may compromise the future of the Filipino people for a trapo only has his self-serving interests on priority rather than the people’s interests. Instead of being able to see the future of the nation, their minds and hearts are clouded with their egoistic motives, an evidence of their ill-natured incompetence and self-centeredness. 

These politicians do not only compromise the future of the nation but also epitomize the incompetency of leaders in our society. They are incompetent in such a way that their actions are a dichotomy to what they stand for. Per se, he is that politician whose party’s dogma is to protect women and children but brings scantily clad women to perform in his birthday bash (Philstar, 2015). He is that politician who advocates to dismantle political dynasties in the country but his clan owns the most seats in the government. Indeed, their actions contradict to what their platforms are. 

Whatever happened to the word which was derived from an intricate root word, tradition, is saddening. Tradition is usually something good that is handed down from our precursors to offspring and this often becomes an integral part of our nation. Today we see this word with a negative meaning, referring to politicians who represent the stigma in our government. It became a title of derogation for the unwanted, hated and much-talked about the people of our society who engage in dirty politics.

Traditional politicians are indeed a stigma for aspiring candidates and a threat to the Filipino people’s liberty since they embody the negative aspect of Philippine politics. Unfortunately, these politicians still rule the country. Despite this, Filipinos are becoming more politically aware as they acknowledge the presence of these kinds of politicians in the government. If interest and getting involved in political issues and taking a personal stand is an implication of political maturity, then the Filipinos are in the process of political maturity. They are maturing in such a way that they now have higher sets of standards to evaluate whether an aspiring candidate deserves the people’s votes. We can say that “trapo” is the word of the year for it depicts the real status quo of Philippine politics. It captures the awakening of the Filipinos and their desire to topple down the crook-or-hook kind of governance in the Philippines. Unfortunately, this word also reflects the sad reality that our “system” and choices for leaders have not changed. This word emphasizes the people’s call for change, which could only be achieved by choosing the right person to lead the country.

References

Guillermo, A. (1997). Historical dictionary of the Philippines (Third Edition ed.). Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. Osorio, B. (2015, August 10). Knowing the Filipino voters. 

Quimpo, N. (2007).Trapo parties and corruption. Retrieved October 13, 2015,   from http://cpcabrisbane.org/Kasama/2007/V21n1/TrapoPartiesAndCorruption.htm 

Reyes, B. (2011, June 27). Sorsoganons (not Tony Abaya) actually invented     the word "Trapo" to mean "traditional politicians”. Retrieved October 19, 2015, from http://www.mabuhayradio.com/history/sorsoganons-not-tony-abaya-actually-invented-the-word-trapo-to-mean-traditional-politicians 

Romero, A. (2015, October 3). LP to probe 'sexy dancers' incident in Laguna event. Retrieved November 1, 2015, from http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/10/03/1506547/lp-probe-sexy-dancers-incident-laguna-event