Change the Constitution now / Jailed Filipinos in US

These two topics might seem unrelated but perhaps something does bind the desire for change and the oppression of Filipinos in America. It is a phenomenon called emergence which is described by those who have studied it well as "the wave of the future". All it means is that we may be miscalculating the ability of a swarm, a group or a collective. Those who believe in it say a swarm can be more intelligent than the individuals who make it up. "We know now that systems like ant colonies don’t have real leaders, that the very idea of an ant ‘queen’ is misleading," says author Steven Johnson. Applying the theory to Filipino politics, I daresay there are indications of "emergent behavior" except we are calling it other names, referring to it, for example, as "an idea whose time has come".

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That’s what I thought of last night when a group of concerned citizens met at a kapihan in Café Lupe and talked about "Constitutional Change Now". There were glimpses of "swarm behavior", or "emergence" as each recounted experiences to confirm "that the circle of those wanting constitutional change is growing ever wider." Yet there is no leader. It is happening from many corners and many points of view, converging as it were in a swarm of ants. Indeed, Ray Teves of Lihuk Pideral said it was more difficult to use a national figure to explain "federalism". Ordinary people seem to understand it on their own with some prodding and questioning. We may be wrong to postpone constitutional reform because there are no leaders or that those who know better have not explained it enough to those who know less.

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Nationhood was happening before our eyes but not because of leaders but of the emerging behavior of the community of Filipinos coming of age. The only valid interference to this emergent behavior is to catch the collective impulse into a symbol that would carry it forward. What that symbol will be remains to be seen as different groups come together. There are plans for signature gathering. Others talk of a round table of varying interests to draw up a common manifesto. The remarkable thing about the desire for constitutional change that would radically change our system of government is that it has been happening without a single leadership. Yet federalists, parlia-mentarists, unicameralists, the business sector, linguists, globalists, are coming together to a central point of constitutional change.

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Jailed Filipinos in the US. It is not only at home that Filipinos are asserting themselves. I was not able to see Hontiveros’ Strictly Politics which tackled the burning question on Filipino airline mechanics jailed in Mansfield, Texas. This story was first published in Manila through this column on August 17, under the title "Getting Our Act Together". Gus Mercado <[email protected]> who first brought out the plight of Filipinos sent this letter from Shey Guemo, [email protected], daughter of one of the jailed Filipinos. Relatives and campaigners were aggrieved that ‘misinformation’ might prejudice the case. I am reprinting the letter for those who would like to help.

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"I have decided to send you this e-mail to clarify some matters regarding the "Texas 10’s" case. One of them is my father. Due to the unjust and inaccurate portrayal and reports delivered by both the American and the local media, I refuse to appear on any show or be interviewed by the press. Nowadays, in journalism and broadcast communication, truth has become the "edited truth" tailor made by some editors to fit to their liking, their audience and what have you. Perhaps there are exemptions but they are a rare breed indeed. So please bear with this e-mail while I, together with the other families of the detainees recuperate from the blows we’ve been suffering these past couple of months. It is simply too hard for us to face the media who have irresponsibly reported half-truths and utter and complete lies.

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"If there is any authority on this subject matter, it is Mr. Gus Mercado. This dedicated man had his share of some rough times himself because of his involvement in the case. If you get your information from him, I am sure you’ll have the facts and not some hearsay, sweetened or tailored information. The Texas 10 was originally 28. 10 of them were Filipinos and the rest were Hispanics. Out of the 10 Pinoys, only one of them was sent home via voluntary departure/exit, which is different from deportation. Most of the Hispanics were sent home save for a few. This was made possible through the help of the Mexican government. When we asked the Philippine Consulate Office in Los Angeles, the Consul said they cannot do anything about it and it’s all up to the lawyers to win the case. Why is it that most of the Hispanics were released without much ado while the Filipinos have to sit it out in jail? Is there favoritism in the American government? There were talks that the Filipinos are being held longer than necessary because they’re suspected of having links with the Abu Sayyaf or the Al-Qaeda. My father and his co-workers are Catholic! Many of them have never even set foot in Mindanao. Contrary to reports that they have converted to the Moslem faith, they are still Catholic and they even do novenas in jail. Do you think they are so stupid as to jeopardize themselves even more by converting into a religion associated with the terrorists? I do not hate the Moslems.

Not all of them are like the Abu Sayyaf and most of them are peace-loving people. It is sad that a few of their wayward brothers have dragged all of them to shame.

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A lot of Filipinos have been helping us through this difficult time. Kahit may colonial, crab at kung ano pang masamang mentality ang pinoy hindi pa rin nawawala ang isang maganda nating kaugalian, ang bayanihan. Mr. Gus Mercado and the organization called NaFFAA have done what the Philippine Government has failed to do for its constituents in Texas. Ang gobyerno natin ay parang mga pulis sa pelikulang Pilipino… laging huli! Tapos na ang bakbakan saka sila dadating. Nariyan lang sila pag malapit na ang "credits." If some politician or soon to be politician enters the picture and takes credit for being some kind of hero for the detainees, let me refute that with this… Mr. Mercado, Mr. Rodis, NaFFAA, the selfless Mr. Danilo Navidad and family, the Padernals and the Raguros too who were there for most of the bakbakan part deserves the indebtedness of the Texas 10 and their families. I appeal to the government to please help the aircraft mechanics detained in Texas. Maybe it is not yet too late for you to prove your worth. Maybe you can start with this case and erase the negative image that you only show up for the "credits." Maybe… just maybe…

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My e-mail is [email protected]