Padrino “Palakasan” System – An Example of a Dark Side of the Philippines

by Jomvie
(Virtual Assistant from the Philippines)

In the Philippines, if you happen to know someone in a private company of a higher rank and even in the government offices, you are likely blessed to know them.

Why?

They are going to be your reference in applying for a job. And mind you—hassle free!

This is a common knowledge, an open secret to every Filipino, most especially in the world of politics. But, let’s go back to our main topic—job application.

Job Application

Getting a job is not as easy as counting one, two, three. It will take you heaps of effort, leave a big hole in your pocket, require long hours of walking and a queue for job interviews before you can get a decent job.

But, wait! In the Philippines, “Palakasan” is a system where you are allowed to get a job without hassle—only if you’re a family member, good friends with, or referred by someone you know from the inside.

Yes, this is going to be a great opportunity for those who are looking for a job without going through the hustle and bustle.

Open Secret

The “Palakasan System” has been the most notorious, corrupt and dirtiest system for decades and centuries in the Philippines. It is common knowledge, but no one could ever bring it down, nor tear it up and put off this kind of system because the people practicing this infamous system have gone too far to let go of the fame and wealth they are experiencing.

Politically, the “Palakasan System” is an open secret where political families pass their throne from one generation to another. Yes, it is like a dynasty, a tradition that’s chronically eating the government of one’s greed and thirst for fame or wealth.

It’s not that I have selfish desires for myself and that gave me a reason to hate this ill fate system, but if you will just look around our surroundings, even on our streets, you’ll see lots of less fortunate people sleeping at night hungry and waking up in the morning hungry and your heart will crush and melt because there’s nothing that you can do to help them.

This kind of battle won’t win if I were the only one with this kind of guilt and concern.

This has something to do with the governing body of the state and that they should create a master plan to help minimize this kind of problem, which has been growing in numbers over the years.

And it’s not just those less fortunate, but it also affecting us as regular and common citizens of the Philippines. We need a job that will help us live and get a little leisure out of life.

Will you believe me if I tell you that a worker’s minimum daily wage only at PHP 350 ($8)? Let me say it again, three hundred fifty pesos, or eight dollars only, per day.