After one year quo vadis, Pres. DU30?

THIS time, allow me to give way to our grandson, Patrick Ramos Jalasco, who is an Ateneo Political Science graduate (2013), and MS in Urban Planning, Columbia Univ. (2015). As a “millennial,” he has some strong opinions about current events and the future of our country. Among his fellow graduates from Columbia Univ. in New York City is former US Ambassador to the Philippines, Harry Thomas, in the same masteral course – but that’s another story. (Ambassador Thomas was with his new Filipino wife – and that’s still another story). So, here goes our millennial, Patrick: ASSESSMENT OF FIRST YEAR OF DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION:

WAR AGAINST DRUGS, TERRITORIAL CONFLICT AND TERRORISM

THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS HAD WITH IT AN AIR OF HOPEFULNESS WITH THE ELECTION OF THE COUNTRY’S FIRST MINDANAOAN PRESIDENT. RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, THE FORMER MAYOR OF DAVAO CITY, WAS SWORN INTO OFFICE AS THE 16TH PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES. LAST JUNE 30, 2017, PRESIDENT DUTERTE HAD ALREADY BEEN A YEAR INTO HIS PRESIDENCY.

UNDER THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, HOW HAS THE PHILIPPINES FARED? WITH HIS CAMPAIGN RUNNING UNDER THE SLOGAN “CHANGE IS COMING,” HAD THE PHILIPPINES TRULY CHANGED FOR THE BETTER DURING PRES. DUTERTE’S FIRST YEAR?

Is change really coming? Within the first few months into office, Pres. Duterte did not waste any time carrying out his promise of “Change is Coming.” One of his major campaign promises, his “War on Drugs,” has vowed to rid the Philippines of its drug problem (which supposedly is the “root cause” of every major problem in the Philippines) by any means necessary. In the first 12 months of his administration, Pres. Duterte has been very vocal about his preference for using violence in the War against Drugs (and indeed with almost every issue confronting the Philippines). With the recent issues confronting the Philippines such as the territorial disputes with China, the supposed rampant drug problem, the Marawi Siege, etc., and how the present administration has been dealing with such issues, it is becoming apparent that violence is indeed his preferred tool for the implementation of “Change is Coming.”

However, Pres. Duterte’s promise of “Change is Coming” and the means by which he has been waging it seem to be more harmful to the Filipino nation than beneficial. His continued preference for violence as the means to solving various issues (such as the drug problem, government corruption, poverty, terrorism, and much more), his unethical behavior in public, and his continuous disregard for established democratic processes and the rule of law (among other things) runs counter to our cherished Filipino values and democratic way of living.

AS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY, VIOLENCE AND RAMPANT DISREGARD FOR THE RULE OF LAW ARE NEVER ACCEPTABLE SOLUTIONS IN PURSUING GENUINE CHANGE. WHAT MUST BE DONE, HOWEVER, IF WE ARE TO TRULY REALIZE CHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES? WHAT ARE THE MEANS AND WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN EFFECTIVELY AND CONCRETELY ENACT CHANGE THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE COUNTRY? MAKING CHANGE WORK: PEACE, COOPERATION AND INCLUSIVITY

THIS COLUMN AIMS TO SERVE AS A HANDY REFERENCE FOR THE FILIPINO PEOPLE AND OUR LEADERS IN ACHIEVING GENUINE CHANGE. REFLECTING ON OUR HISTORY AS A NATION, IT SEEMS THAT THE TRIUMPHS WE HAVE ACHIEVED ARE ALMOST ALWAYS EQUALLY OFFSET BY SETBACKS, CONSTANTLY SLOWING THE PROGRESS WE MAKE AS A PEOPLE.

Given the recent events happening around the world such as the terrorist attacks in Kabul, Paris, and London, the worsening effects of climate change, and the increasing interconnectedness of the world, it is only apt that we as Filipinos start rethinking on our role as citizens of this planet we call Earth, and how might we be about improving not just our own state of affairs, but how might we be able to contribute to the positive change our world currently needs.

A lot of important issues are currently facing the Philippines and these will be discussed in FVR’s forthcoming book. Major issues such as Climate Change and the Environment, Territorial Disputes, Terrorism, International Relations (U.S.China relations, ASEAN, the U.N., Asia, etc.), Government Reform, and People Empowerment will be seen throughout this new volume imbued with the writer’s insights from his past experiences.

All of these issues, indeed, necessitate specific approaches and solutions given their complexities. Yet, all of these solutions will be for naught if we do not foster a culture of shared responsibility towards our country and our fellow kababayans (countrymen/ women). “Making Change Work!!!” necessitates cooperation and a culture of collective responsibility which we Filipinos have yet to imbibe.

OUR CURRENT PROBLEMS OF POVERTY, CORRUPTION, VIOLENCE, AND INJUSTICE WILL NOT BE SOLVED BY A MESSIANIC FIGURE. THE PRESIDENT ALONE CANNOT ENACT THE CHANGE THE PHILIPPINES HAS BEEN DESPERATELY NEEDING. IF WE ARE TO TRULY ACHIEVE LONG LASTING CHANGE, WE REALLY NEED TO EXERT TOGETHER OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS IN MAKING THIS COUNTRY A BETTER ONE. EDSA PEOPLE POWER AND LEARNING FROM OUR PAST

AS FORMER U.S. PRESIDENTIABLE AND INCUMBENT U.S. SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS SAID, “REAL CHANGE CAN ONLY COME ABOUT THROUGH NONVIOLENT ACTION.” AND NOW MORE THAN EVER, IN THE FACE OF GREAT ADVERSITIES, WHAT WE NEED NOW IS INCLUSIVITY AND COOPERATION. WE HAVE WITNESSED AND EXERCISED BOTH OF THESE ALREADY IN THE PAST.

As what was evident during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, teamwork made the dream happen. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, we were the first ones in the whole world to bring about a peaceful revolution and topple the long-lasting dictatorship of then President Marcos. Against a dictator who had the force of tanks, artillery, helicopter gunships, fighter-bombers, and combat troops, we the Filipino people were armed with our patriotic convictions, democratic beliefs, and faith in God’s protection. The Spirit of EDSA teaches us that through a shared sense of national purpose, camaraderie, and teamwork, we as a people can achieve wonders.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THROUGH OUR SHARING OF THE PAST LESSONS, EXPERIENCES, AND BEST PRACTICES, PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF FILIPINOS CAN FINALLY FULLY REALIZE OUR COLLECTIVE DREAM OF MAKING THE PHILIPPINES A PROGRESSIVE AND EQUITABLE COUNTRY. THE FUTURE MIGHT SEEM BLEAK FOR THE PHILIPPINES GIVEN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES. BUT WE NEED NOT LOSE HOPE.

THINGS ALWAYS SEEM IMPOSSIBLE AT FIRST. BUT AS WHAT WE ALWAYS SAY IN OUR HOMETOWN, KAYA NATIN ‘TO (WE CAN DO THIS)!!! Patrick R. Jalasco M.S. in Urban Planning Columbia Univ., 2015