Bayanko supports Cardinal

Bayanko has endorsed Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle’s “Huwag kang Magnakaw” campaign on its website. It complements Bayanko’s goal of constitutional reform to change the current corrupt political system.

The good Cardinal seeks the renewal of morals and values, a long-term goal, while Bayanko seeks to change the structure that foments corruption, an immediate goal. The one without the other cannot flourish, for one how can one remain moral within an immoral structure? Try telling a presidential candidate or a senator not to steal when to be elected because of a corrupt system he or she needs at least P2 billion to become president or at least P200 million to become senator. In order to attain their objectives, it only seems logical that the good Cardinal and Bayanko are natural allies.

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In Brazil, Pope Francis called on his Church to become “street fighters” for change. He called on his flock to fight poverty and corruption. He described both as evil. Again, Bayanko and the Church share similar objectives.

To reduce the wide gap between rich and poor, a change in the political structure is needed where multi-sectors are amply represented in a parliamentary government as opposed to the current system which the oligarchy and political dynasties control, including most of the wealth of the nation, thus accounting for the poverty and regressive development of its people.

Finally, Cardinal Tagle and Bayanko have the same guiding principle which is God and country. We believe that when the people return to God, the Good Lord will heal the land. To return to God, we need to reform and renew.

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Bayanko got a big boost from the endorsement of former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos. At his Christmas party last Dec. 16, he called on all those present – former cabinet officials, aides, and generals – to join the movement for constitutional reform.

This comes on the heel of the signing of a partnership agreement on Dec. 10 with Bayanko by Ernesto Herrera, president of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. Bayanko will be signing partnership agreements with other federations – women, farmers, universities – in the days ahead. It promises to be a grand rainbow coalition that will number in the millions. Numbers are what politicians understand to make them take notice.

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For too long, the politics in this country has been dominated by vested interests to marginalize sectors of our society.

It is time to reverse this situation by installing a parliamentary form of government to reduce the huge cost of running for public office and allow new faces from multi-sectors to participate.

Most progressive countries in the world have a parliamentary system in which members of the executive and legislative branches are accountable to the people. On the other hand, in a presidential system a lazy president can appoint and delegate powers to cabinet members who need not be accountable to run the government. Not being accountable, they abuse their power, even enrich themselves. This is intolerable.

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We should take a lesson from Karl Popper, the guru of democracy. He said, “The role of the people is simply to provide a regular and nonviolent way to get rid of incompetent, corrupt or abusive leaders.” This is provided in a parliamentary system – a bad leader can be removed simply by a no-confidence vote. In a presidential system it requires a long and cumbersome process of impeachment.

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And what of the masses? One of the first supporters of Bayanko was Nora Aunor, a true icon of the masses. She is now in Australia where she continues to receive honors for our country. She was nominated anew for the Best Performance of an Actress award in the 8th Asia Pacific Screen Awards for her role as a human trafficker in Joel Lamangan’s political-drama film, “Hustisya.” This is Nora’s second nomination from the Asia Pacific Screen Academy. She was earlier nominated as best actress for Brillante Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” in 2012.

This is Aunor’s second nomination accorded to her by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy after she was nominated and won the Best Actress award for her performance in Brillante Mendoza’s “Thy Womb” in 2012. Aunor will be competing with Ronnit Elkabetz from Israel, Lü Zhong from China, Tang Wei from China and Merila Zareie from Iran.

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards is considered the “Oscars of the Pacific” where cinematic excellence is recognized in the “world’s fastest growing film region.”

When she returns in the New Year Bayanko hopes that all Nora fans will have sewn up the coalition to work for a National Award for her as an Artist. She deserves it. The Aquino government denied her the award despite her successes and the prestige she has given to our country. Why? Because she did it on her own. She defied the mindset of bad politics in the Philippines that merely give lip service to the poor but do not give them the opportunities to succeed.

The award to her as national artist under a new system of government would be an apt symbol of why we must finish the unfinished revolution began at EDSA in 1986.

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BayanKo wishes to emphasize that its objectives are different from the National Transformation Council and it is altogether a separate body.