| Authoritarian Rule By Antonio C. Abaya Written Nov. 30, 2004 For the Manila Standard, December 02 issue Was anyone discombobulated at all with the below-the-fold headline in Today (Nov. 26) which said �Wash says we need a dictator�? Or with the story that followed which read in part that �so serious are the country�s problems that business patriarch Washington Sycip suggested that the government switch to authoritarian rule in order to control the situation and put the economy in order. �At the economic and sociopolitical briefing organized by the League of Corporate Foundations at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City, Sycip, the founder of the Sycip, Gorres and Velayo Group said the economy could not thrive under a Western-type democracy. ��There is nothing wrong with the Filipino. But there is nothing right in our political system,� he said. �We follow blindly the things that work in western countries but do not work in Asian developing countries.� ��What we have right now is not working,� said Sycip, who serves as the chairman of the Asian Institute of Management.� Mr. Sycip�s sentiments, of course, are neither new nor original. We have been hearing such hankering for authoritarian rule for decades, especially from the harried middle class who now despair of ever seeing this country dig itself out of the liberal democratic hole that it has liberally and democratically fallen into since 1986. But we DID have authoritarian rule, I hasten to remind everyone, including Wash. President Marcos was an authoritarian ruler from the moment he declared martial law in 1972 until he was overthrown by People Power in 1986. Fourteen long years � 20, if you count the years when he was a democratically elected and re-elected president. Enough time for any leader to transform his or her ramshackle country into a modern state. Gen. Park Chung Hee was the authoritarian ruler (by military coup d�etat) of South Korea for 18 years; Gen. Chiang Ching-kuo of Taiwan (by inheritance from his father, Chiang Kai-shek) for 13 years; Gen. Suharto (by anti-communist military counter-coup) of Indonesia for 30 years; Gen. Prem Tinsunalanda of Thailand and the other generals after him (by military coup d�etat), for 13 years; Prime Minister Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore (by election and re-election) for 30 years; Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia (by election and re-election) for 22 years. (And lest communists and pro-communists in media and elsewhere, who, in their typical intellectual dishonesty sound as if they had invented liberal democracy, scoff at the idea of authoritarian rule, let me remind them that the successful leaders of China and Vietnam, including the revolutionary modernizer Deng Xiaoping, were themselves authoritarians, under their ideologically correct �dictatorship of the proletariat.�) So why did Ferdinand Marcos fail, when the other authoritarians contemporary with him succeeded in modernizing their countries? Was it because Marcos was corrupt? But the other authoritarians were also corrupt, with the possibly solitary exception of Lee Kwan Yew, who was perceived to be incorruptible. China and Indonesia achieved their highest economic growth rates, in the 1980s, when they were rated by PERC Ltd. of Hong Kong, as the most corrupt and the second most corrupt countries, respectively, in Asia. (The Philippines has been rated every year as �only� the fourth most corrupt.) So corruption, by itself, is not a hindrance to economic development. Conversely, authoritarian rule, by itself, does not guarantee economic progress. If it did, Myanmar, which has been under the generals since 1962, would have matured into an economic tiger ahead of Malaysia or Thailand, instead of being one of the poorest alley cats in the neighborhood. And as we know from our own sad experience, liberal democracy, by itself, is not a passport to economic prosperity either. A close examination of the success stories in East Asia would show that the ingredients for success are 1) a modernizing leader who is in power for longer than six years; 2) authoritarian rule, or at least an unabashed departure from the liberal democratic ideal; and 3) the correct economic strategy. All three have to be present simultaneously for the transformation to take place. 1) Six years (as mandated by the 1987 Constitution for our president and vice-president) are not enough time to change a disorganized, undisciplined and problem-wracked country like the Philippines into a modern state. Not even Lee Kwan Yew or Mahathir Mohamad or Deng Xiaoping could have performed the modernizing miracles that they did in their countries if they had only six years in power. (See my article �Chacha � Shall We Dance?� [Dec. 11, 2002].) 2) A diminution of civil and political rights has to be accepted, especially in the judicial, electoral, political and media environments. Again, neither Lee nor Mahathir nor Deng could have transformed their countries if they had to face, for example, a press as hostile to government as the Philippine press is. (See my articles �Even Raul Roco Would Fail� [Dec. 15, 2002], and �Good News versus Bad News� [Oct. 25 2002].) 3) The correct economic strategy followed by all our successful neighbors, without exception, was the export of manufactured goods, which stimulated in their economies the growth of manufacturing industries even for the domestic markets. None of our successful neighbors grew, solely or mainly, through agriculture or the export of commodities. It is manufacturing industries that create the jobs that lift the unemployed from their poverty, as they in fact did in all the successful countries around us. (See my articles �How the Philippines Got Left Behind, Part II� [Mar.15, 2002] and �Losing the Export Battles� [Apr. 19, 2002].) All the articles cited above are archived in www.tapatt.org. In the 1970s, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong deliberately geared their economies towards the export of manufactured goods, and became the original tiger economies. In the 1980s, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia followed their examples down the export road. The Philippines did not seriously pursue a manufacture-for-export strategy until the 1990s, under President Ramos. But by then the global marketplace had become overcrowded, especially with the entry of the People�s Republic of China. To be fair, President Marcos tried to break into the export markets in the 1970s, when he established the Bataan Export Processing Zone in Mariveles. But this was deliberately wrecked by communist labor militants of the KMU, who staged strike after strike against the foreign factory owners with unreasonable demands (including the dismantling of US bases!) until the foreigners just got fed up and moved their factories to other countries. Communist ideologues Renato Constantino Sr. and Edberto Villegas (brother of free-marketeer Bernardo) argued against an export strategy, saying that production should be solely for the domestic market, and only the surplus, if any, should be exported. In the mid-1980s, communist ideologues Walden Bello and Horacio �Boy� Morales (who later became a trapo organizer for Joseph Estrada, in the most diametrically retrograde transformation since the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus) co-authored a book arguing that the export strategy was causing labor and environmental problems in Taiwan and South Korea and should therefore not be emulated by the Philippines. An opinion echoed by the uninformed voice of pro-communist columnist Conrado de Quiroz. So contrary to communist claims, it was not the hated Americans who have, out of some evil design, prevented the downtrodden Filipinos from developing as fast as our neighbors. It was the Filipinos who have stunted the growth of their own country, in particular the communists and pro-communist themselves, who vehemently opposed and maliciously sabotaged the very economic strategy that created the prosperity of South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Suharto�s Indonesia, as well as of Communist China and Communist Vietnam. It was not a coincidence that South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, British Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Suharto�s Indonesia were able to build their prosperity in an environment of peace and stability, by deliberately excluding the communists and pro-communists from their political and economic life, under threat of indefinite detention or summary execution. That�s what authoritarian rule meant in the East Asian context. (To be continued) ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Authoritarian Rule?� Dear Mr. Abaya, I agree on the point you have raised that in certain degree the communist ideologies being advocated by some left-leaning groups and personalities have in certain degree caused the economic condition we are in now. As an agriculture graduate though, I believe that the focus on agriculture has to be given due priority considering that a great majority of the Filipinos is in the rural areas primarily relying on farming and fishery activities. However, the approach we have in pursuing agricultural development is so much restricted by the existing laws and policies on agrarian reform. The distribution of small farm lots to a great number of farmers with inadequate entrepreneurial and financial capability to make the land more productive restricts agricultural productivity. Practically, it needs larger farm areas to adapt technology efficiently and be mechanized resulting to highly productive and profitable operation - economies of scale - so to speak. Purely increased agriculture development and productivity can not outright create more quality jobs. Industry development of course can answer this concern. However, we need agriculture surplus to boost agri-industrialization. If we have to learn the lesson of other countries, some industrialized (although not all) basically stabilized their agriculture before pursuing full industrialization. It is more of a development policy issue and political will although we admit that other concerns such as corruption and others also have some influence. Another issue of course is population management. Some expert considers that the burgeoning population is pushing to the edge the country's carrying capacity. I believe that any poverty reduction effort will not generate substantial outcome without a sensible and decisive population management program. Basically the government have to address holistically some vital development concerns in order to achieve what it want to accomplished. With regards to authoritarian rule, I think the real issue is imposing discipline. If every can imposed self-discipline, then respect to laws and authority is norm of our society, an authoritarian ruler is no longer necessary. An authoritarian ruler is needed to generally imposed to the people discipline that can hopefully brings about development. Discipline is really what is lacking in our society in general. We can see it in even looking at the streets how people and driver behaves. Even in government offices, even in halls of congress. We have to improve our behavioral standards as a society. Leaders have to practice such standards for the citizenry to emulate. If we cannot, then it could be good if we will have authoritarian leaders who will impose to us certain discipline we need to develop. Rodrigo R. Matabaran, [email protected] December 02, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I was one of those rock-throwing, ideology-screaming, placard-carrying protesters in the 70's. We were fed with stories of exploitation of the workers and the eventual takeover of the hated Americans. Little did I know that in a number of years I would have done a 180 in my beliefs. I experienced a life of discipline in the US military and cleaved into that type of atmosphere. Now, retired and an avowed conservative, seeing the destruction brought about by the past of corruption mixed with equally corrupt labor dealers who sold out the people they represent, the decimation of the Philippines is clearly seen as plain as the nose on our faces. Nothing short of an upheaval could change our system. Slow improvements will not do it. An airburst above Manila with a 30 megaton nuclear device might provide the most immediate result. It is sad. Jojo Vicencio, [email protected] December 02, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony--- I just did a very quick trip to Negros via Manila. On return I got your mail titled "Authoritarian Rule". I have done the usual and forwarded. Just a quick comment----like most of us looking in from the outside --- we see an undisciplined community. I think what you say addresses the issues but just misses the point --- you go so close. I was talking to my friends re. Singapore and the visits to Malaysia by the Singaporean community. We all know that Singapore is a regimented society --- and we don�t know if the locals like that or not, but one comment is that when the Singaporean visits Malaysia he/she behaves in a rather wild way---speeding, littering and chewing gum. This does not of course apply to them all. The Filipino is a great person and soldier---defender of their country and their rights but for some reason almost self destructive. I say you almost get there ---- I am not sure what it is that�s missing---is it a love of their country---do they expect US handouts ---sometimes behaving like a spoilt kid. I feel sure the Government does not have an answer---you are much closer to the issues than the Government which spends most of their opportunities talking nonsense about "Pork". My God if I were a politician in the Philippines I would be ashamed at the way they have made things much worse----and made themselves so much wealthier. The Press in Malaysia and Singapore is just so good ---POSITIVE---POSITIVE ---POSITIVE. The Press in the Philippines gets on to a good and big issue and then after a few days the whole damned thing vanishes --- never to be raised again. In Australia--many politicians went to jail and died there --- for corrupt practices. The press was relentless. Obviously the Politicians don�t want the press to be good at what they do---inform the people. Anyhow I look forward to the continuation of your latest commentary---keep up the good work. Sometimes I think us foreigners care more about the Filipino than the Government does. Maybe you need a foreign dictator. Thanks mate .Regards John Craige, [email protected] Malaysia, December 02, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww So far a very nice and accurate overview and summation of the Philippine situation and the role of the communist assholes... Peter Ritter, [email protected] December 02, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I just read with interest your article on export to get our country moving. I heartily agree with you with some conditions. I was involved in garment manufacturing and export in the early 70s during the heady but uncertain period of martial law. Then a lot of the big manufacturers did set up in Metro Manila and southern Tagalog. Even the Texas Instruments which still exports a lot of its dsp's for cellfones now set up in Baguio. Although the multinationals could export 99% of their manufactured, value-added goods to their principals, the other independents like garments had to make do with off and on accounts to keep going. We had to arrange to sell some, even 10 to 15% of our vast output locally, and that was tricky, as we had to pay for the duties and taxes that cover the finished goods for local market. A lot of haggling and a lot of pakikisama!!! But it had to be done especially when the export marked weakens, which was quite often. In brief, the local market must be ready to buy export goods if only to keep the labor and overhead paid in times of weak export market. Japan and Korea subsidized their export products and kept the factories humming with the local market absorbing their "seconds" which gave them the chance to keep improving their quality and dependability for the export market. Our country may still develop but in an environment of level playing field, stable labor force, and strong government adherence to the rule of law. I am glad the Supreme Court decided to cut through the legalese and voted strongly to allow even 100% Foreign investment to put back mining industry on stream. This will give us a lot of export earnings at the same time give maybe 300,000 new jobs in the mining areas like Mountain Province, Benguet, Zambales, Cebu, Bicol, Surigao, etc. Watch the NPa's try hold hostage the mining industry. We must see to it the Pnp and the Army secure such areas with well trained, well-equipped, and well-fed, well-led soldiers. Hope to sit down with you one of these days. In the meantime, Government officials have to practice transparency as after all, public funds must be accounted for each step of the way. Jun Magsaysay Philippine Senate, December 02, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hello Tony, You are right about the cause of the present miseries of the Filipinos. They are. We are the cause. How do we correct ourselves? You hinted a formula for our success: "...the ingredients for success are 1) a modernizing leader who is in power for longer than six years; 2) authoritarian rule, or at least an unabashed departure from the liberal democratic ideal; and 3) the correct economic strategy. All three have to be present simultaneously for the transformation to take place." Would this formula work with the Filipinos as they are? If we attribute our failures to the way we have been which we are still right now, would any kind of formula work? Perhaps you have written a piece on how we ought to be to attain success and I missed reading it. Would you please refer me to your writings on this one? Ogie Reyes, [email protected] December 02, 2004 MY REPLY. In my opinion, Conditions 1 and 2 are still valid. But Condition 3 will have to be different from that followed by the seven tigers. We missed the bus and it is hard to get on board at this late date: the global marketplace has become over crowded. How to change the behavior of Filipinos? It will have to come from the transformation of Philippine media. We are what we are largely because of what Philippine media has made us. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Mr. Abaya, I just read your article and fully support your views. I don�t think many will argue against what you just described, most people who care already know what the problems are and the general strategy needed to get the nation out of the rut it is in. I just think that unless the country initiates major reforms along with the support of the military as well as the public, nothing will ever change. Eliminating corruption is only a part of the solution. A strong economic strategy, although a no-brainer in terms of concept, would be hard to implement unless the proper infrastructure that includes a technologically skilled and competitive labour force is also in place. Disruptive oppositions like the NPA, MNLF and various groups, if not neutralized, will always be a great hindrance to progress. They already existed when I left the country in 1967. Forty three years later, they are still there causing problems. A very strong authoritarian rule is, therefore, needed in order for any of this to work � the entire nation�s culture must be transformed, if not forced, from one that is based on the individual�s need to survive into one that is focused on economic recovery for the entire country. It would be like demanding every citizen to forget thinking about themselves, but to sacrifice for the country�s welfare. Once you can do that, make people believe that what is good for the country is good for one�s self, then the Philippines will be on its way. Today, Filipinos enjoy democracy. But one must ask, �How good is freedom when one has nothing to eat?� Being in this very serious state of their country�s economy, the Filipino people must recognize and accept that there must be some trade-offs. There are not many options left at this stage of the game. I think President Marcos had the right idea when he declared the Martial law. It�s just that he and the people around him got side-tracked with greed. This time, we know what to do and we must learn from that mistake. I still have faith that one day that country�s economy will improve to the point that no Filipino children would have to claw through garbage for their food. But instead, they would be sitting inside a classroom getting the proper education they deserve. That must be what every single Filipino should strive for. No child deserves to suffer. Have a great day! Manny Masongsong, [email protected] Chairman and CEO Basilica Software Corporation British Columbia, Canada, December 03, 2004 PS: In a few minutes, I will be leaving to pick up some more used computers that we will clean up and configure before sending to the Philippines for use by the public school there. About a month ago, we shipped another 100 computers, printers, etc. They are all addressed to the Foundation for Information Technology Education and Development (www.fit-ed.org). We will always do our best here to try to help your ailing country. These computers are a gift of the Canadian people to the poor children of the Philippines. Mabuhay ang Pilipino! MY REPLY. Bully for you, Manny! wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I wish to cite to you a study by Dr. Michael Porter, covering many more countries and done over ten years, that shows that economies under democracies are much more developed. Unless you can show more numbers than China, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore, I'm not buying authoritarian rule at this time. Correct me if I'm wrong. Isn't Mr. Washington Sycip the founder and of an auditing company that has connived with the management of Victorias Milling Corporation to sex up its books? The hocus pocus has allowed the ailing corporation to could borrow more money and keep from the public its actual financial position until its collapsed ala Enron. If this has happened in the U.S., Mr. Sycip would have difficulty finding a job much more be a resource person in an economic briefing and chair of the most prestigious business school in the country. Unless my recollection is wrong, Mr. Sycip's wisdom is not worth anything more to me than that of our neighborhood drunkard. This is really what is wrong with our country. Since independence and by securing American patronage as tools of pacification and traitors to their own people, a greedy and opportunistic political and economic elite has ruled the country and crafted public policy to its favor at the expense of the majority. Our tariff structure that favors certain industries is a case in point. The trick then is to mobilize and take on this elite in a democratic engagement. This is the trajectory we have chosen for our reform movement. Taking into account our unique history, we believe that clothing this elite with authoritarian power is only going to vaporize any chance of success for change. Any authoritarian rule would necessarily have members of our present political and economic elite on top backed by the same corrupt military. Could you realistically say for instance that assuming she agrees to serve, Risa Baraquiel of Akbayan be part of the governing council of an authoritarian rule? Unlike in Singapore, where Lee Kwan Yew have enjoyed tremendous respect early on, we cannot trust anyone here among our political and economic elite to rule by decree. I would rather have a mass-based revolution like in China where the emerging leaders would at least be certified patriots like Deng Xiao Peng. Joma and his dwindling circle of believers may be wrong, but they are definitely patriots. They are willing to give up their lives for what they believe is good for the country. Would the likes of Mr. Sycip be prepared to do likewise? By the way, I used to be corporate planning manager of a group of companies with a distressed SBU. Just before I have been elected to Congress, I have ended up managing that company after a labor problem forced the former management out. I have successfully turned the company around in less than a year. In the process, I have seen for myself how the former management has been sexing up its financial position, in connivance with the same auditing company, so as not to alarm its creditor banks. Regards, Gico Dayanghirang, [email protected] Davao City/Davao Oriental December 03, 2004 MY REPLY. I have not seen Porter�s book so I do not know his frame of reference. MY frame of reference is East Asia, from 1965 to 2000. What democratic countries can you count in this space-time? And even if you widen the frame of reference to include South Asia, and even Africa and Latin America, since 1965, how many �democratic countries� can you name that grew faster than South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Suharto�s Indonesia, Hong Kong and the People�s Republic of China? I�m waiting. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww This fellow has been talking about it for ages. These rich spoiled brats just want to get attention. Remember Zobel talking about how marcos got and got off with his gold bullions. The trouble with newspapers is that they indulkged too much the antics of these rich spoiled brats. That's why I dont buy newspapers anymore. I just acces them by the Web. At any rate even "dictatorship" would fail here because of our indolent Malayo-catolico culture. Hitler would not be able to find a Goebbels here. Onlya Tatad, maybe better just a Tadtad. Ross Tipon, [email protected] December 03, 2004 MY REPLY. Very profound. But �rich spoiled brat� Wash Sycip is more than 80 years old. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr. Abaya, From one columnist to another... let me say that your article written Nov. 30th and appeared on Dec.2nd in Manila Standard is a great article. God Bless and more power! Valeriano "Bobit" Avila, [email protected] Inside Cebu, Philippine Star December 03, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, I have long realized that Western-style Democracy does not work for the Philippines. Thanks, too, for your writings that we are reminded of it. I have had personal experiences while working with the Government in various capacities that it is, for the moment, NOT FOR US. I wrote a column in April 19 of 1994 in BusinessWorld on "Discipline and Development," inspired by the recent visit of former Prime Minsiter Lew Kuan Yew to Manila where he declared that the Philippines needs more of DISCIPLINE than DEMOCRACY to achieve DEVELOPMENT. The original title of the article was just that: "DISCIPLINE, DEMOCRACY & DEVELOPMENT". An Australian expat, Richard Johns, told me that I should get a Pulitzer Award for it. But you know Richard, he is a good friend and would be generous in his appreciation. In June 07 of Year 200, I wrote for BusinessWorld in my column "A Failure of Democracy?". In essence, I concluded that the Philippine Political System have failed because of the following: 1. "The Best and the Brightest" who could - and should - be in Government are NOT attracted to join Public Service because of the undesirable environment in the workplace, whether you are in an elected or appointive position. Just look at many, if not most, of the congressmen and senators in Congress, the Governors, Mayors, Councilors in the LGUs, and the officials and judges/justices appointed in the Executive and Judicial Branches of Government. In the Judiciary, many of the judges at the RTC are either mediocre or "ignorant of the law". To be fair, there are the smart ones but many of them are also corrupt. The "undesirable" environment comes in different forms: 1.1 Unrealistic Compensation; 1.2 Lack of Political Will of National Leadership; 1.3 The permanency of bureaucrats protected by their CESO status; 1.4 Political Patronage; 1.5 Internecine conflicts of different camps or centers of power. Anyway, this is getting too long already and might end up as another article of mine. By the way, I might resume writing in January 2005 as part of my New Year's Resolution. So I am with you Tony. Let us continue the Advocacy Work. One reason I will move back to Manila is to pursue my Citizens' Common Cause, which can be an Alternative to Authoritarian Rule, by making the Citizenry pressure the Government to work for them. Will give the Concept Paper this December or January next year. Rick Ramos, [email protected] December 03, 2004 WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW (Forwarded) To: [email protected] Lets reflect on this one... and take note about the personalities mentioned, most of whom have long misled and even poisoned the minds of many. Mang Senyong, [email protected] December 03, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Ginoong Abaya, Hanggang ngayon'y gusto ng Pilipino may "Among Tunay", iyong nagdidikta at sinusunod. Noong panahon ni Aguinaldo, nag-diktador siya at sumunod ang mga Pilipino, walang reklamo. Kahit nagkaroon na ng kongreso sa Malolos, ang gusto pa rin ni Aguinaldo ang nasusunod. Nang salantain tayo ng mga Amerikano, tinuruan daw tayo ng tungkol sa demokrasya, pero ang Pilipino, matigas yata ang ulo, si "Among Tunay" pa rin ang dinidiyos. Marahil, itinanim ng mga Kastila ang kaisipang ito sa mga Pilipino, na hindi nakayang burahin ng mga Amerikano. Ngayong panahon natin, naghahanap pa rin tayo ng amo - sa mga kanayunan, si "Don", o si "Meyor", o si "Kapitan"; sa Kamaynilaan, si "boss". Sa palagay ko, talagang hindi pa tayo handa para sa demokrasya hangga't maraming Pilipino ang hikahos, malabusabos at di makatayo sa sariling paa. Ang gumagalang, Virgilio C. Leynes, [email protected] December 04, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww The imperatives for a nation to be able to move forward are: a). clear visions of what we are to be as a nation and as individuals, defined in terms understood and desired by its citizenry that are not mere motherhood statements b).clear methodology or strategy of actions to accomplish the visions over a defined time frame c). continued dedicated leadership in pursuing the visions d). continued no-nonsense pursuance of effective methodology and strategy of actions (perhaps adjusting them from time to time if absolutely necessary, but never deviating from the vision to be accomplished). This leadership can be a dictator, a party with a head that keeps the party together, or a group of citizens who effectively are a de facto leadership that keeps the government on the right track. e).an educated and morally principled citizenry that expect and demand good leadership and actions that all lead towards accomplishing the visions through the methodologies and strategic actions in place .i.e. the right kind of education, both secular and religious. What we have in the Philippines are: a).unclear visions and if there are any, they are not desired, nor shared, nor understood by a critical mass of the citizenry whose flawed and lack of education have made them dumb (take note that English is used in debating laws and enunciating "visions", but the general citizenry is failing more and more in the use of English-i.e .there is a widening disconnect between the thinkers and the doers. b).no clear methodology or strategy of actions since there are no clear shared visions, and even if there was, the methodology and strategies are clear only to the leadership who has a very limited time frame to even make a correct start before the next round of elections. c). the constant elections and changing of the guards provides no continuity of leadership that is needed to carry through any program to its logical accomplishment. d).therefore whatever methodology or strategy of actions have no continuity in their implementation for them to take effect-hence we are on a roller coaster ride going up and down, instead of being on a staircase climbing up step by step. e).an unprincipled citizenry failed by their irrelevant unmeaningful misunderstood religious education, and a dumber citizenry failed by their inadequate secular education. Add to these the centrifugal force of dysfunctional cultural traditions, and you see the directional abyss of the Philippines...UNLESS...acts of god rain upon us, and we are not yet too dumb not to take notice, and finally are able to do the right things. Nonoy Yulo, [email protected] December 04, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you again on your excellent pieces, especially on Bush's adventure in Iraq. We also enjoy that on "Moral Values" and, lately, authoritarian states and economic progress. We regret that some of your formulas on how to make significant economic strides for our country have not been followed by our Government. We believe in your ideas. But don't be too hard on those "Communist and pro-communist" Kababayan of ours. We think they love their country too in their own ways. And unless our Government becomes authoritarian again, we would simply have to tolerate them. More power to you. Nelson D. Lavina, [email protected] December 06, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww As you so correctly mentioned, Wash Sycip's sentiments, are neither new or original. Wash has held these views for many years. I recall with utmost clarity, in as much as I have quoted him on occasions, that in 1964 he said to me ' I have just returned from Hong Kong and to me it is yet another example of why democracy does not work in S.E. Asia'. He was of course referring to how the Legislative Council ruled Hong Kong. I look forward to receiving the continuation of your article published in the December 02 issue of The Manila Standard. Yours sincerely Brian T Harber, [email protected] December 09, 2004 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |
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