Forging ahead

Whatever the motive, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s New Year statement that she will not to run in 2004, is laudable. It remains to be seen how her statement will impinge on developments in the coming days. It is unfortunate though that the immediate reaction from party colleagues was to speculate on who would be the party’s presidential candidate. But can they be blamed? That is how destructive the hold of the presidential system is on our politics. The value of President GMA’s statement was precisely to stop the politicking with so much work left undone. Whether it is Flavier, Legarda, Guingona, Drilon, conscientious Filipinos ought to be dismayed. It means that the lesson had not been learned. We’re back to politicking of the worst kind - pitting personalities on their winnability- therefore of popularity, without even a moment’s delving into the significance of the President’s New Year statement.

* * *

The point at issue is not or at least should not be about GMA, but about the heroic gesture of a president, any president, giving up electoral ambitions for the welfare of the country. It is a moral outcry and should have inspired Filipinos to turn a leaf and embark on something bold and different. That has not happened. Instead we have more of the same. I blame the presidential system that is focused on popularity, whether it is Flavier or FPJ. It may be that we can see the spuriousness of the system better if we thought of the election of FPJ as president of the Republic of the Philippines than we would if it were Flavier but it amounts to the same thing – a wrong way of deciding on who ought to be the leader of a country with problems like the Philippines has. In the end putting forward the names of more acceptable figures for what is essentially a discredited way of choosing our leaders is more dangerous. It waylays us from pursuing substantial political reforms.

* * *

An astute friend was concerned why the President should be boxed in by the "divisiveness" of politics. Dissent is part and parcel of a democratic framework. Anyone aspiring for leadership in a democratic framework should be able to cope with ‘division’. The problem is what we are divided about and how the specific problem is resolved. The challenge is to strengthen institutions that resolve conflicts. That refers to the judiciary. My friend’s beef against the President’s statement is that she should have a defeatist attitude and brook no criticism of her government or the presidency. That is not only impossible in a democracy, it would be unhelpful. She would rather that the President confront points of difference in crucial issues and exercise leadership to find solutions to the impasse. I am therefore saddened that Senator Franklin Drilon should bar her from looking into constitutional reform as the crying need of our times less she be suspected of having ulterior motives to her statement. Constitutional reform that would enable us to shift to parliamentary federal government is the way forward. If President GMA is not running in 2004, she can use the rest of her term making possible the parliamentary shift. She may no longer be available for the Presidency but a different kind of leadership is open to her. If she takes this path she will make history.

* * *

As far as constitutional reformists are concerned we concentrate on the urgency of constitutional reform and continue the work towards that end. More Filipinos are signing up. Jose Caedo of [email protected] wrote to say he will work to include Filipino-American Democratic Empowerment Council with over 1,200 active dues paying members in the Declaration of Intent.

"The class war and struggle has been in existence since the late 40’s. What we are seeing now is merely the continuation, and escalation of that struggle. Until and unless there is more socio-economic equity and justice put in place through honest government policies, then there will be no end to this inequity, and the forces of the haves and haves not will clash, until one or the other predominates. While I was in Manila earlier this month, the most common statement I heard from friends in all sectors was that the Philippines was now a powder keg, with the fuse about to be lit. Many are joining the NPA out of frustration and desperation as they see no solutions from the government. All these poor people see are the greedy enrichment and ostentatious display of wealth of the politicians, government leaders, business leaders, actors, actresses, and what have you. When day after day, the poor who cannot even have three squares a day see and hear in the media of the disparity in the concentration of wealth, and national resources, then you have a mass base ripe for revolution.To a man, my contacts say that FPJ looms large in the political scene, and will be the man to beat in 2004.

* * *

The question is, if he gets elected, and he most probably will as the Philippine electorate is still at its infancy in the maturity stage, then will all other forces adhere to the Constitution, and accept the people’s mandate? That is the more troubling question. If FPJ and his forces win the election, ( I suspect he will inundate the opposition), will there be another series of military coups, which will allow the CPP/NPA to exploit the situation and take over? Folks tell me that FPJ is now taking Political Science and Public Administration courses at the UP. Can you have someone verify that? My concern is that voter education at this point is something that is too little, too late, unless the more moderate political forces can actually put the OFW and OF votes into play by 5/04.

I, and all those in the various E groups have a big job organizing, mobilizing, and energizing the OFW/ OF vote so that we can at least become countermeasures to the desperation vote of the Filipino masa. During the assault against Malacanang during the so-called EDSA 3, I know of some congressmen who told me that it only cost 400PHP per head to pay off people to charge the Palace and the guards. What a horrific thing. And, you cannot discount the INC, and Mike Velarde groups, who are very dedicated, and disciplined. They are not paid voters, but adhere strictly to the directions of their religious leaders. These groups are still in the Erap opposition camp, and may go pro-FPJ. Anyway, what a scenario. We can’t afford the luxury of sitting back here on our hands and doing nothing. I still think that a Parliamentary system that will allow the formation of a coalition government combining all the various political interests will be a faster, cheaper solution than the expensive Presidential/ senatorial/congressional races we constantly face."

* * *

My e-mail is: [email protected] or [email protected].