Not the policies, it’s the politics

Senate President Franklin Drilon last week urged government policy makers to review our economic policies in the light of the lessons in development shared with us by Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Mr. Drilon is barking up the wrong tree. The problem with this country is not so much because of our policies. It is because of our politics.

In fact, an economist writing for a collection of economic studies published by Princeton commented that corruption is not even as much the problem in the Philippines as institutional uncertainty. That, my friend, is caused by politicians. A regime that is corrupt and personalistic but predictable isn’t going to languish in an economic purgatory the way we have the past decades.

Sure, there must be something we could learn in the manner by which Thaksin refocused attention on the countryside, but the best policies aren’t going to work for so long as the quality of our political leadership continues its downward spiral. I am sure Senate President Drilon knows what I mean. He is presiding over a Senate, many of whose members are undeniably the worst ever in terms of quality in our nation’s history.

If there is one thing we know how to do, it is to make good policies. Even the Thais would admit that they learned how to make development policies from us. Some years ago, the Thais told an admiring delegation from the Philippines the secret of their success in attracting foreign investments. They got a copy of our Investment Incentives Law and implemented it. We, on the other hand, stopped after we deliberated and enshrined it.

Sen. Drilon must also be fair to Filipino economists in NEDA, Bangko Sentral and other government institutions. Most of them really know what to do in terms of policy direction. It is also not fair to say they blindly follow the World Bank and the IMF as Sen. Drilon suggests. The failure of economic policy in this country does not lie on the doorsteps of the economic policy makers but on our politicians who constantly intervene to pervert policy as they protect their vested interests.Politicians also constantly dump right policies in favor of populist policies to win votes.

Of course, the Filipino people get the government they deserve. Our politicians are as bad as they are because we allow them to be or even make them what they are. But fair is fair and Mr. Drilon should rewrite his press release to blame his fellow politicians and not the economists who work long and hard and anonymously with the best of intentions for this country.

Put another way, maybe we need a Thaksin at the helm. Despite the surplus of politicians produced by this country, sadly enough, we are unable to produce anyone of world class quality. Most of our politicians today are a disgrace to the lofty titles of their office.

And Mr. Drilon need not go far. The Senate used to be populated by statesmen. Now, we have clowns who are not even very funny. Our problem, Mr. Drilon, is politics. And politicians. Not policies.

Addict

Reader RC Tulio sent this e-mail reacting to an item last Friday about branding a cellphone service, Addict.

I agree wholeheartedly about your comment regarding the campaign of SMART on Addict mobile. The word itself is an adverse negative (advertising jargon). They tried to sugar coat after the launch by having an ad with Bo Sanchez (a very respected and gifted lay minister) as an Addict to God.

The first time I saw the campaign, I immediately thought of its impact on the younger generation. Glamorizing the word Addict is not a good proposition. If there is a campaign to get it off the air, count me in as a supporter.

I imagine the subliminal effect of the word Addict and the visuals as well as the copy of the campaign sets back society’s battle against drug addiction. It is advertising creativity gone mad and maybe from an overdose too. Corporate social responsibility on the part of the phone company demands that something like that shouldn’t have been allowed.

The good news is, Manny Pangilinan is a staunch advocate of corporate social responsibility. He does not see everything his staff puts out but now that we presume he knows, we can just wait and see if Manny walks his talk.

My Globe

Here is another e-mail, sent via cell phone by Ms. Jojo, who points out that Internet access through cell phones is not just for something as frivolous as getting ring tones and pictures. It maximizes the use of the cell phone as a business tool, specially for those out on the road.

I read your article regarding cellular phones and Globe. I just want to point out that GPRS capable phones are not just used for downloading pictures, tones, logos etc. Maybe for the younger generation, but not for people in the corporate world.

It’s true that Globe is blocking Internet sites, which should be properly addressed. What is the use of buying high tech phones if we cannot use the functions? Mobile Internet is a must for businessmen especially when traveling.

Please take a deeper look at Globe’s WAP service. It should not be blocked to only access Globe’s homepage. GPRS phones are not cheap. We should get maximum use for what we paid for. Pls give this issue a more serious thought.

I am sorry if the way I wrote about the problem sounded frivolous. I guess I do not appreciate the full value of WAP because I do not use it. Also, I am told that Globe has put Yahoo back. Nevertheless, I wrote about a problem that my daughter brought up and whether it is frivolous or not, it needs remedial attention. Calling Mr. Gerry!

Pity the women!

Life for women today is tough, according to this forward from Marilyn Mana-ay Robles, a contemporary who had the good fortune of having been born at a time when life was simpler and less stressful.

The nice men are ugly; 2) The handsome men are not nice; 3) The handsome and nice men are gay; 4) The handsome, nice and heterosexual men are married; 5) The men who are not so handsome, but are nice men, have no money; 6) The men who are not so handsome, but are nice men with money think we are only after their money; 7) The handsome men without money are after our money; 8) The handsome men, who are not so nice and somewhat heterosexual, don’t think we are beautiful enough; 9) The men who think we are beautiful, that are heterosexual, somewhat nice and have money, are cowards; 10) The men who are somewhat handsome, somewhat nice and have some money and thank God are heterosexual, are shy and NEVER MAKE THE FIRSTMOVE!!!! 11) The men who never make the first move, automatically lose interest in us when we take the initiative. NOW.... WHO THE HELL UNDERSTANDS MEN?? Men are like fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it’s a woman’s job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something you’d like to have dinner with....

What can I say except to express my sympathies to today’s women. In our time, women could have their ideal man in just one lovable package… nice, handsome… heterosexual… comfortable with money… couldn’t care less who made the first move. The women in our lives don’t realize how blessed they are to have us. Having said that, I am now ready to be struck down by lightning.

Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is [email protected]