‘People power’ is wishful thinking

While the furious war goes on in Congress on who really won the presidential election – GMA or FPJ – the country burns. I am afraid we had it coming when the Senate of the 12th Congress refused to debate the issue of constitutional reform. It was obvious to almost anyone who was logical and fairminded that swift action was necessary to avert a political showdown that would harm the country. Except the senators.

We do not have leadership with this vision. Both the Government and the Opposition are guilty of turning a blind eye.

Spurts of concern on the folly of holding yet another presidential elections under a flawed constitution were drowned out by a ‘false consciousness’ to try just one more time to do the same foolish things, in the name of ‘democracy’. The overriding concern was vested interest: what is in it for us? We cannot build a strong nation on those terms. What we have come to accept as democracy is no democracy at all. May 10 proved that beyond any doubt. Lip service in the name of constitutional reform in this difficult phase of our development is simply that – lip service. The election closed the doors for political reform. It does not augur well to have a new Senate with old faces, all stakeholders in the present system. With Jinggoy Estrada as senator, we now have a mother and son act despite the plunder case against him and his father, Erap.

Filipinos, like the Americans, claim to believe in democracy. We have the flag, the national anthem, a Constitution, history, heroes who fought in its name and we pledge allegiance to its principles everyday. We want democracy but more and more Filipinos despise the politics and the politicians that come with it. The behavior of Rep. ‘Digs’ Dilangalen when told to shut up by a concerned citizen reinforces that contempt. The recent election gave us more of the kind. On the other hand the outstanding constitutionalist Rep. Antonio Eduardo Nachura, one of the leaders of constitutional reform in Congress, lost his post.Once Nachura, heckled by some leftist rabble rousers that they do not trust Congress, replied: So, why do you vote for them? Indeed.

More Filipinos realize our present political system falls short of being a proper democracy. Money and movie celebrity shape the political debate and its outcome. Even if the citizens wanted more schools, better roads, a modern airport, as government policy they are voted down by deadlocks, vetoes, filbusters and ‘special interests’ or whatever weapon can be used from the arsenal of vested interests. Some friends did not vote in the last elections preferring to be spectators rather than citizens, because of their frustration.

The Philippines is, strictly speaking, not a democracy. Indeed its Constitution is designed to prevent the unfettered expression of the people’s will. Some think that political dysfunction in our country is the result of lost values or that come from recent cultural decadence. It is not. It is a system that has been with us since 1935 when Americans required a presidential system in exchange for our independence. Our all-powerful president is akin to a governor-general.

Still we can be optimistic that in time Filipinos will cease to be mere spectators. Yes, pass a note like Suzette Pido did to Digs Dilangalen. The presidential system may have failed us but we remain a nation convinced that the best form of government is of, by and for the people. More and more Filipinos know that the system is not giving them what they expect of government. And they are unwilling to sacrifice the well-being of their children and grandchildren. They want new schools, hospitals, and they are asking hard questions. After this election, that spirit of discontent will push a renewed questioning of just how democratic government is doing its job. It will not be done with little reforms here and there, like a limit on campaign finance or a two-party system. What we need is a wholesale restructuring of a system to spread out power.

Senator Sotto, the comedian of Eat Bulaga and FPJ’s spokesman, in a chance encounter at Congress had the effrontery to tell me he was also for JDV as prime minister, a left-hand jab at constitutional reform that would shift us to parliamentary system. Talagang hindi niya maintindihan. Whatever is the case against particular members of the House, as a whole they were behind constitutional reform in the earliest possible time. They are precursors of the parliamentary system in which they are held liable by a constituency. Reforms needed for check and balance in decision-making procedures in a single legislature can be instituted – extensive public hearings, a second vote on important issues as it would be if we had a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution.

If you have watched television daily, it is obvious what the Opposition is up to. It wants a delay, what is called ‘freeze the ball’ strategy in basketball, hoping to lose time so there is no proclamation come June 30. They hope that with ‘evidences’ of isolated cheating, they can bring the public to their side. They are unmoved that the Binay-led Makati rally, with FPJ proclaiming himself winner, was a dismal failure. People, not the hakot type, were unmoved. The Opposition is wasting time if it believes that time is on their side. Each day of delay and ‘Digs and his tricks’ will not bring people power. The question in most people’s minds is whether a Congressional canvass and proclamation as mandated by the Constitution, can be made with or without the Opposition. The petition with the Supreme Court and the delaying tactics on the floor are obvious strategems. The next could be an Opposition walkout. Rep. Florencio Abad of Batanes assures us a walk-out will not derail the canvass. It may be that the Opposition is overwhelmed by FPJ’s unexpected defeat, they are unable to see that the people are fed up and want to get on with life.

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Crown Prince Abdullah’s foreign affairs adviser: Don’t listen to our words; watch our actions. If only for the reason that whatever happens in Saudi Arabia profoundly affects us all, more should know about the statement made by Foreign Affairs adviser Adel Al-Jubeir in a press conference in Washington. Al-Jubeir said "A year ago , at this podium, I said (Don’t listen to our words: watch our actions. I believe any fairminded observer will see that the actions Saudi Arabia has taken over the past year have been comprehensive, bold and decisive. And they have been effective. And God willing, they will help rid our world of the scourge of terrorism." The conference was called to announce that all charity and aid from the Saudis will be coursed through one roof – the National Commission for Relief and Charity Work Abroad. This would ensure closer monitoring of those who would use charitable foundations for violent ends. It will not end donations to the poor, which he said, was a requirement of the Muslim faith.

Significant action has been undertaken by Saudi Arabia: it set world class regulations and financial control mechanisms according to FATF’s recommendations, froze bank accounts and seized funds under UN Security Council Resolution 1367, exchanged information and expertise with other nations including the US against terrorism and terror-financing and lastly forbade collection of cash contributions in mosques and public places.

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