System, not form, is the problem, stupid!
UNITARY presidential form or federal presidential or federal parliamentary form would not make a big difference if our socio-economic system which is import-dependent, export-oriented, debt-driven is not radically altered; and this socio-economic system has long been protected by a political system dominated by big landlords and big business subservient to foreign interests.
For me, this is important because various initiatives for a shift to federalism do not address the highly skewed, oppressive, exploitative economic and political system of our nat i on.
The shift to federalism will not automatically correct our skewed economic and political system. It may even entrench it. Most House members and so-called federalists think we are stupid to buy their formula. The fact that most surveys point to majority Filipinos not ready for it is a proof that they won’t just buy anything absurd and stupid.
Former Chief Justice Renato Puno maybe right for raising the need for safeguards against political dynasty as the condition for federalism. But even such is only a part of the systemic pr obl em.
As I said, system, not a form of government, is the problem.
We still face severe asset inequities and income imbalances that keep millions of our people marginalized from a gainful economic activity because most lands and basic resources are under the control of big landlords, big business, and multinational companies.
The government continues to pursue the neoliberal thinking that the only industry worth developing is that which makes us globally “competitive,” thus, pursue a policy of liberalization, deregulation, privatization and de-nationalization.
The government has not invested in comprehensive industrial and agricultural development which is vital to building the foundations of a self-reliant and sustainable economy. Real domestic industrialization means to focus on building domestic industrial capacity based on comprehensive agricultural development to meet domestic needs, create domestic jobs, and raise domestic incomes. Industrial development that links with the agricultural and service sectors.
What is being pursued is still market fundamentalism, all serving the market. Even our industrial sector pursues foreign-dominated mineral and agricultural raw materials extraction and production which serve foreign economies more than national development.
The government’s surrender of social services and public utilities like water, energy, transportation and communication, health, housing, education, and other vital basic services to the profit-seeking private sector and multinational interests which make these increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible for the majority of Filipinos. Thus our citizens will keep having to go overseas for work, and unemployment and poverty will remain endemic. All this while a few foreign investors, domestic conglomerates, and rich families continue to grow rich and prosper. And to prove that this economic system does not work for the majority of poor Filipinos is the fact that the political power is in the hands of a few wealthy political clans and dynasties. Take note that according to Philippine Star published a report in 2017 Duterte’s Cabinet is ruled by representatives of wealthy oligarchs in this country, with an estimated combined wealth of Ph3 billion. Leading the pack, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, the heir of real estate magnate and former Sen. Manuel Villar, tops the list with P1.4 billion. Villar held top positions at family-owned publicly listed Crown Asia Corp. and Vista Land. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, a former chief executive of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, reported a net worth of P351 million.
Former Information and Technology secretary Rodolfo Salalima, a lawyer who served as Globe Telecom’s chief counsel, had a wealth of P304 million as of December last year.
Former Cabinet member Gina Lopez has a disclosed wealth of P266 million. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who was general manager of the Philippine Ports Authority prior to being appointed to the Cabinet, had P162 million, while broadcast personality Martin Andanar, now serving as presidential communications secretary, had P152 million. Ernesto Pernia, a longtime economist, and professor revealed a net worth of P105 million.
So guys, to leapfrog to federalism without addressing this deeply entrenched economic and political system under the effective control of big landlords and big business backed by multinational conglomerates - is not only anti-people, anti-poor, anti-development, it will drag all of us into a national political suicide.
Pursuing federalism under these conditions will only strengthen, not break up, the already entrenched political dynasties of oligarchs and the big business interests of the legion of multinational companies long plundering and ravaging our natural resources and docile labor.
Therefore, before any strategic shift to a federal form of government could take place, it is imperative to meet certain conditions; let me define the most important in broad strokes.
First, through popular consultations under Con-Con framework, not the Con-Ass, institute the re-orientation of our neoliberal economy of being market-driven, export-oriented, import-dependent, debt-driven, serving multinational corporate interests towards being modernized agriculture and industrialized economy, free of all unequal trade treaties and agreements, and responsive to the basic needs of the people. Second, through legislation backed by popular mass actions, disband political dynasties, feudal haciendas and estates, and the banning of oligarch families and relatives from public service posts.
Third, institute genuine reforms in the state bureaucracy by making government agencies (NLAs) and local government units (LGUs) more convenient and responsive to participatory governance.
Fourth, pursue peace talks and ink the initially agreed Comprehensive Agreement for Socio-Economic Reforms which will reinforce the first three measures.
When these fundamental reforms are done, the government can call for another round of popular consultations whether they like to shift to federal form or otherwise. I can bet 100 percent of our countrymen and women will instantly raise their hands in agreement. But is the present ruling administration can and will appreciate these pre-shift measures? If not, who? And when? By the way, with my position, I might be misconstrued by DDS as anti-Duterte. Sorry guys, I voted PRRD for the issues and agenda he stood for during campaign season. If he has betrayed his agenda, so be it and sorry. I stand for agenda, not personality.