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Back to reality - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

2009-08-07T17:34:00.001+08:00

Back to reality - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

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2009-06-08T14:20:00.001+08:00

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View more OpenOffice presentations from Michelle Avelino.

Preliminary Guidelines for the Present Situation of “National Emergency”

2006-02-28T10:08:00.000+08:00

A. The Situation:

There seem to be groups in the military who have seriously been engaged in attempts to seize state power. Part of the impetus for these coup plots appears to be legitimate grievances concerning the present state of the military under the present administration. But it does not seem that the ventilation of these grievances is the only agenda of the present movements among these groups. There also appears to be a genuine intent to take political control of the country. Transitional juntas, with civilians participating, appear to be envisioned. Some civilians, chiefly politicians and organized political groups, seem to know about these plans. Some, convinced that all constitutional means to oust the present administration have been exhausted, support these attempts.

There appears to be a crucial difference between the events of EDSA 1986 and the present. EDSA was a civilian-led initiative against dictatorship that received support from the military. What we are witnessing these days is quite different: a military-led effort seeking civilian support and legitimation.

The response of the government is the declaration of a state of National Emergency, through Proclamation No. 1017. The column of Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., in today’s Philippines Daily Inquirer, explains the constitutional basis for and scope of emergency powers in the Proclamation. But Fr. Bernas also points to the disturbing inclusion of what seem to be martial law powers in the President’s declaration, particularly in its appeal to Article XII, Section 17 of the Constitution, concerning the temporary takeover of privately owned businesses and utilities, a move that seems aimed at government control of the press and media.

B. Some Guidelines:

1. The crisis of political legitimacy and the crying need for reform of the military are real. Nonetheless, any attempt by factions in the military to seize state power, however well motivated, cannot be supported. Such attempts overstep the noble task of the military in a democracy. The consequences of such actions that threaten civilian supremacy over the military will be extremely difficult to reverse and would be seriously harmful for the country’s future. The experience of countries in which a politicized military has taken state power—what we often refer to as “banana republics”—gives sobering illustrations of these consequences. Once having captured the state, military forces have not given up power easily. A cycle of constant struggles for state control among military elements begins, to the detriment of political stability, democratic freedoms and national development.

Democracy demands the rule of civilians who are legitimately chosen from and by the people, and not simply kept in power by military might. It is important to recall the principle articulated by the CBCP in its pastoral statement of January 2006: actions that “condone violence or counter-constitutional means in resolving our present crisis” are not acceptable, especially since they “would only bring about new forms of injustice, hardships, and greater harm in the future.”

2. The serious threat to democratic freedoms involved in Proclamation No. 1017 should be exposed, questioned, and resisted. Even constitutionally mandated emergency powers can be abused if they are exercised disproportionately, to the point of undermining basic rights. It is alarming that, even now, there seem to be indications of this abuse, such as the arrest of civilians without clear bases and charges. This is a serious and unacceptable violation of civil and political rights.

Furthermore, the present administration’s actions towards controlling the media must be resisted. Not only are these moves of questionable constitutionality, but state takeover of media seems morally unjustified, as such a measure would violate the freedom of expression which is a fundamental tenet of democracy.

We must not be naïve and uncritical. Many groups have taken and will continue to take advantage of the present confusion. We, especially religious and Church groups, must be wary about which groups we identify with, lest we indirectly legitimate and support antidemocratic groups with vested interests. The question of the future governance of the country, should the present administration collapse, is not a matter of indifference, but a serious moral consideration. Who assumes power, with what mandate and what agenda, are questions that we must seek answers to from those who would solicit our support.

The present administration’s actions to frustrate legitimate constitutional means of reform and accountability must be held largely responsible for the present crisis. Government’s constant attempts to evade accountability and true reform have made the military solution seem attractive and inevitable to some.

Thus, it is necessary that the following be addressed with greater urgency: the search for truth on the many controversies of the recent past; the revamp of COMELEC and other necessary electoral reforms; reforms in the military; and the continuing search for solutions to the problems of poverty and inequality that beset most of our people.

C. Some Immediate Courses of Action:

In this situation, the following are appropriate immediate courses of action:

· Gatherings of prayer for peace and a non-violent resolution of the crisis;

· Gatherings to exchange reliable information, and to discern collectively in the light of emerging developments;

· Expressions and actions of protest against the curtailments of democratic freedoms in Proclamation No. 1017.

A Call to Commit to the Spirit of EDSA 1

2006-02-27T00:35:00.000+08:00

As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of EDSA 1, we recall how we, as one nation, held our heads up high before the rest of the world with the clear message that a revolution need not be violent. And proud we were when many nations followed suit, guided by the principles and values upheld at the very first EDSA Revolution.

Ironically, in these times of socio-political unrest and uncertainty, the spirit of EDSA 1 is threatened by dark forces demanding a swift resolution to the national crisis. It is this context that we at SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN, call on the Filipino people to renew their commitment to the spirit of active non-violence that guided the very first EDSA Revolution.

We particularly uphold the following:

1.. That we go through this crisis within the parameters set by our constitution. We reject the unconstitutional acts of military adventurist and other parties seeking to overthrow the government through violence.

2.. That we vigorously and conscientiously pursue the call of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines to search for the truth. We call on the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government to lead the nation in this search by exhausting all constitutional alternatives in an impartial and expeditious manner. We entreat our leaders to open more avenues for the peaceful resolution of the national crisis instead of shutting off all constitutional options we can take.

The spirit of the times denies us the peace and unity we have always yearned for. There are no easy solutions to our predicament. But we are not about to give up as a nation. We continue to pursue the elusive truth because we believe that the Spirit of EDSA 1 can be and should be the spirit of the times.

As we re-live the spirit of EDSA 1, let us rekindle our commitment to social change and renewal through active non-violence.

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan

Maki-alam. Manalangin. Manindigan.

Do you understand justice?

2006-01-22T16:00:00.000+08:00

Evildoers don't understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
Proverbs 28:5 NLT

Awareness of justice

Justice means righteousness, lawfulness, and moral rightness, the quality of being true or correct, the moral principle determining just conduct. So justice has a moral quality. It contains a concept of what is right and, therefore, must also have a concept of what is wrong.

Only people who understand these concepts of right and wrong can understand and administer justice. By extension, only those who follow the Lord can understand justice. Why? Because they subscribe to the foundational laws of the one who created them.

Thus, as this proverb points out, evil people don't understand justice. Because they refuse to subscribe to justice's moral underpinnings given by God in his Word, they are left to discover their own truths. As a result, many conclude that there is no truth. Others conclude that everyone can have different truths.

Both perspectives are hopelessly doomed. And as a building without a foundation will crumble, so justice can never be served without the foundation of right and wrong as given by God in his Word.

WISE WAYS What are you using for your foundation? Where do you get your concept of truth, of right and wrong?

Today, Lord, teach me the foundational truths about life that are given in your Word.

adapted from The One Year Book of Proverbs by Neil S. Wilson, Tyndale House Publishers (2002), entry for February 28

Credit Rating or Credibility Rating?

2005-11-03T14:24:00.000+08:00

I am no economist. But based on the little I know and the little I've read about credit ratings, it seems that these ratings reflect an entity's creditworthiness based on its present financial condition and past credit history. In short, it is an entity's ability to settle its obligations in the appointed time.

The news today says that the US-based investment banks - Merill Lynch and Morgan Stanley & Co - have upgraded the credit standing of Philippine debt papers in reaction to the news about EVAT. Also, the value of our peso and stocks surged after 5 months of beating in anticipation of good things to come with the implementation of the EVAT. The financial community seems to be very optimistic about the EVAT.

Yes, things will seem to be better. Because the government is able to collect more revenues, they will have more funds to dispose. Unfortunately, another news item says that 70% of the EVAT will be used to service our outstanding debt and only 30% will be spent on infrastructure and social services. This means, that the additional tax we pay will not immediately redound to out benefit. It will take some time - years and even decades perhaps - before we feel the benefits of the additional taxes we pay.

The question is: have we ever felt the benefits of the taxes we pay? I have never met anyone who is happy to pay taxes? And the reason is that only a few really feel it is all worth it to pay taxes. The prevailing perception is that the money we pay go to the pockets of a few individuals. Corruption seems to be a badge proudly brandished by our public servants! Hence, with the implementation of the EVAT, the little consolation we deserve is the assurance that our money will be used for the benefit of the majority.

But how is this possible when the President herself has not cleared herself of the doubt cast on her honesty, integrity, and credibility by her "lapse in judgment" and by her family's "little" acts of indiscretion?

Maybe it is not the country's credit rating that should be improved; it must be someone's credibility rating.

Suffering is the Only Road to Peace

2005-11-01T14:23:00.000+08:00

We go to war so that we may have peace. - St. Augustine

The present government has gone to great lengths to protect itself from the emerging fury of the masses. It has introduced the "great debates" on constitutional change to muddle the issue on GMA's election manipulatin and cheating and the use of tainted funds oil her campaign machinery. And when she and her allies successfully killed the impeachment complaint against her in the lower house (obviously to escape the ire of the Senate), she continued to douse cold water - both literally and figuratively - on the coninuing efforts of those militantly working to expose her many dark secrets and her true character. The government has responded with an Executive Order that will prevent public servants from spilling the beans.

Personally, I think the President is spending more of her time in politicking rather than governance. Sure, she appears to continue to run the country but not with the common good in mind. Most of her statements and actions seem to be done to save her already ailing presidency.

But the president should realize that the cloud of doubt will forever hover over her head, even beyond her term, if she does not allow the truth to come out. It will be a painful process not only for her and her allies but for the whole nation as well, for it will reveal to us the moral degeneration that has continued to eat up our so-called democratic systems. And the more she protects herself, the more she feeds this festering wound that would not leave us in peace.

Hence, the President should make the supreme sacrifice - no, not to step down from office but to simply allow things to unfold before us so that the truth may finally emerge and set us all free. It is only in allowing conflict and "war" to take its course - God forbid a civil war! - that we can ever hope for peace. Ms. President, we do not want a civil war. All we want is a battle of wits that will allow the truth to finally emerge. Let this great debate begin!

A Trial by the People

2005-10-30T17:30:00.000+08:00

Preparations are underway for the commencement of a People's Court that will try GMA on charges of cheating in the last elections. And the idea has been welcomed with mixed reactions.

Some say that this exercise will further weaken our already weak democratic institutions - more particularly our legislative and judicial branches. Pushing through with the plan will put to question the decision of the lower house not to transmit the impeachment complaint on the President to the Senate. And rightly so. Those who have closely followed the proceedings can say that much emphasis has been put on the letter of the law rather than its spirit as a convenient way to protect the already embattled president; thus frustrating the desire of many to ferret out the truth.

But then again, a people's court may frustrate future action that respects the constitution. Personally, I do not see anything unsconstitutional with this move. People have the right to express what they think and their judgments on things that affect them. However, they must realize that this extra-contitutional measure will not hold any water. Whatever decision is reached through this court will not change anything except amplify the fury of those who are already against the present government. Whatever findings gathered through this proceeding need to be confirmed by a duly constituted body that has the mandate to validate information. This, unfortunately, the people's court does not enjoy.

So what do we do with this impasse? The People's Tribunal is an alternative alright; but is it the best alternative? If only to bring out the facts of the case and expose arguments and evidence regarding the President's cheating in the last elections, I vote for this alternative. Right now, what is important is that we expose the truth. If this tribunal will effectively do it, then let's go ahead with the trial. But we have to remember that whatever comes out of this may not necessarily change anything in the present government. We must remember that we must also address the other tactics that GMA is using to cloud the issue like the "great debate" on constitutional change.

We Did It Again!

2005-10-19T21:34:00.000+08:00

Corruption, as defined by Peter Eigen, the Chairperson of Transparency International is "the abuse of entrusted power for private benefit and is as such conducive to severe political, economic and social costs." TI's Chief Executive, David Nussbaum adds that, "corruption isn't a natural disaster: It is the cold, calculated theft of
opportunity from the men, women and children who are least able to protect themselves."

These are very prophetic words. It is as if these words were directed at the political managers of our country. We did it again! We are one of the top raters when it comes to corruption. In TI's latest Corruption Perception Index Report, the Philippines was rated 2.5, down from last year's rating of 2.6. But let us not be deceived by the 0.1 difference. It may seem insignificant. However, when taken in context, this is not joking matter. Consider the following:

1. we are one of the 70 countries that rated 3 and below;
2. we dropped from 102 last year to 117th place this year;
3. we ranked 11th among 159 countries when it comes to perceived corruption.

Now, this is not joking matter. And to add insult to injury, just recently, the Supreme Court has upheld the legality of the EVAT. The President says that we need the EVAT to earn more revenues for the government as it works on the economy that is "poised for take-off." The question is, isn't the VAT Law enough to raise the needed revenues? Have we fully exploited the opportunities for revenues offered by the VAT Law. And if we have, how much of the revenues really went to government projects and not to personal accounts?

The crux of the matter is that we have a perceived thief who is defending the EVAT. This will definitely hurt the ordinary Filipino who will not be able to defend himself from the ravages of the EVAT Law. And will these revenues really be used to prime our economy? When will the benefits trickle down to the poor? When they are about to be buried in their graves? When their children have missed the opportunity to educate themselves and have grown to be uneducated and therefore, more defenseless?

Why aren't we bothered? Why is it that only a few people are complaining? Why is it that only a handful are putting up a fight? Have we grown weary and hopeless?

We Want Truth Not Power

2005-10-04T09:23:00.000+08:00

Power is not a means, it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.

George Orwell cannot be truer with what he said about power. His prophetic voice has much to tell us in the current national crisis. Ever since the Hello Garci tapes came into the scene, many people have clamored for the truth. Did GMA ask Garcilliano to cheat for her? Did she use the COMELEC and the military to achieve her victory in the presidential elections? How much did she really spend in her campaign? Did she use jueteng money to fund her campaign machinery?

It has been months since the issue came to be. Unfortunately, we still do not have the answers. It is unfortunate that both the executive and legislative branches of our government are not so concerned about uncovering the truth as an end. The relentless politicking and mud-slinging and not to mention character assassinations are engaged because power is in the minds and will of our politicians. GMA wants to stay in power. Her allies want her to stay in power so as to ensconce themselves in power. EO 464 is not designed to protect our democratic institutions but to strengthen GMA's already shaky hold on power.

The opposition wants to discredit her so as to grab power and enthrone themselves in the seats of power which they failed to do in the last elections. They pine for another people power revolution so that they could take over the reins of governance (read: graft and corruption).

Let's face it. This whole damn national crisis is a battle for power and not for the truth. It is not surprising then that we cannot find any champion for the truth. Our politicians must be warned though that if they will not take the challenge to uncover the truth as the end of all their political maneuverings, then the people who suffer from their power struggle will take the quest in their hands. It is all a matter of proper timing.

FVR to Abandon GMA?

2005-10-03T18:35:00.000+08:00

Newsflash: FVR demands apology from Presd’l Spokesman Ignacio Bunye for slur on retired soldiers. Gag order also wrong as FVR urges GMA to work for national unity as he expresses regret at the slow pace of moves to amend Charter. Break imminent as FVR leaves for Germany.

This is a copy of the text message supposedly initiated by FVR's press people. Finally, GMA's savior is seriously thinking of abandoning her supposedly for the "slow pace of moves to amend the Charter." Is this reason enough to renege on his promise to stay behind the President through the crisis? Or could it be that FVR has not received any of the compromises GMA has perhaps promised him?

GMA has been compromising since she decided to run for president in the 2004 Presidential Elections. She has to pay a lot of political debts she yet has to pay. And as the days pass, all she does is to lengthen the rope to keep her hand tied. This is why I believe she no longer has the capacity to lead our country for the common good. She continues to corrupt our democratic institutions to keep herself in power.

Madam President, what reasons have you to stay in power. Aren't you ever frustrated by your inability to make free and just decisions for the common good because of the many debts you have to honor? Are you able to get enough sleep, confident that you have the mandate of the people? Or would you rather live in an illusion? No one is invincible and indispensable Madam President. Soon you will have to go. My one hope is that you are now setting up the structures of you exit plan and smooth transition in governance. Please do not wait for more of your "loyal" pawns to desert you!

Educating the Youth?

2005-10-01T02:08:00.000+08:00

The Palace is slowly easing out Undersecretary Mike Luz from the Department of Education. It has been mum about the reasons for the "transfer." All we know is that the Palace has thanked him for his services as the Finance person of the department.

However, circumstantial evidence point to a vendetta. USec Luz has reportedly sent back three postdated cheques which the Palace wanted him to honor and forward the funds to the scholarship fund of the President and her pawn from Bataan. This pawn is known for doling out high school scholarships to thousands of his constituents. Scholarships can go as low as P150 for the entire school year. Now, is this really a scholarship or simply buying votes for the next election?

This Bataan pawn has reportedly called the staff of USec Luz and cursed them over the phone because they have not released the funds as oredered by his Queen in exchange for his loyalty during the Impeachment Proceedings at the Congress.

Nothing is final yet. USec Luz is holding his ground for good reasons. He has done a lot to lessen corruption in the department especially in the procurement of textbooks which in the past has been a very anomalous process. And he continues to fight corruption in the department even if it means having to face the President herself (who by the way uses her other pawns like Ermita et al to deal with the Undersecretary).

Madam President, if you really have good reasons to recant a personal appointment, please do so. But please, let your appointee (and the public for that matter) know. You are dealing with the Education Department - the last bastion of morality in your already corrupt government. Kant reminds us that we ought to treat a person as an end in himself and not merely a means. Respect for the human being demands that you treat USec Luz and your other appointees (and that includes Bunye and Ermita) not as simply pawns that you can easily sacrifice according to your whim but as rational beings.

Madam President, let us educate our youth the way we should. And your example should be the best example of what a true Filipino should be for you hold the highest position in the land.