| Benevolent Dictator By Antonio C. Abaya Written Dec. 07, 2004 For the Manila Standard, December 09 issue If there should be a revolution � violent or non-violent, bloody or bloodless � in the next year, it will most likely start from another EDSA-type People Power protest action. And the immediate trigger will most likely be the spiraling cost of living, which is felt by both the middle class and the underclasses. Connected to that triggering issue will be the feeling of hopelessness felt by the middle class that their economic situation will ever improve significantly despite their educational and professional credentials. Their savings are also at risk from the further weakening of the peso, and their properties and persons are daily threatened by increasing lawlessness and crime. For the underclasses, the situation is even more desperate. The formal economy does not generate enough jobs and many of them are now actually experiencing hunger more often than they did in the past, even as they continue to multiply like tilapias. Most of them do not have the skills or the modest capital with which to start a small business and compete in the underground economy, and they do not enjoy the option to apply for jobs overseas. Shared by many in both the middle class and the underclasses is the perception that the present political system, with its attendant socio-economic order, has outlived its usefulness, is now in terminal decay and is no longer capable of regenerating itself. And this loss of trust and hope in the present political system and its attendant socio-economic order, in turn, springs from its evident inability to prosecute and punish criminals in the higher strata of society. What good is a �free press� if, despite endless exposes of wrongdoing among the political bosses, in the upper echelons of the bureaucracy, in the military, or among the business community, nobody gets punished for his or her crimes? All the big shots walk because they have in their pockets the best lawyers, prosecutors, judges and justices that money can buy. Only the small fry wind up in jail. There are more than a hundred court cases pending against the Marcoses since 1987, or 17 long years ago, yet not a single Marcos family member or crony has gone to jail for anything. The same scenario is apparently being played out for Joseph Estrada, his family and his cronies. Compare this to South Korea where it took less than twelve months to accuse, arrest, try, convict, sentence and jail two former presidents (both former generals), one to life imprisonment, the other to death, for corruption while they were in power. That alone should shame us with our empty claims to being �the only Christian country in Asia,� to being a liberal democracy with a �free press� and an �independent judiciary.� As Scrooge said of Christmas: Bah! Humbug! For rich and powerful defendants, the Philippine judicial system has perfected the art of the perpetual dribble: dribble the ball ceaselessly until everyone tires of watching the bouncing ball, then forgets what the ball is being dribbled for, and finally is no longer aware that anyone is dribbling at all. At that point, when some of the spectators are already dying of old age, throw the ball away, and no one will notice or complain. They must teach this in our best law schools: Filipino lawyers are so good at it, as long as the fees are right. And what good are �free and honest elections� (which are actually mostly fraudulent, even when blessed by the Catholic bishops and endorsed by the supposed citizen watchdog Namfrel, as happened in 2004), if the exercise merely replaces one group of scoundrels with another group of scoundrels, with some showbiz ignoramuses thrown in to titillate the squealing masa into participating? The institutions of our liberal democracy have become badly corroded by endemic corruption and dishonesty, not only at the edges but in their very cores, and many Filipinos, especially among the middle class, have despaired that anyone in the trapo power structure, whether administration or �opposition,� can ever fix such a broken down country. The Philippines is not a failed state like Somalia or Haiti or Afghanistan, but it is beginning to look more and more like a failing one, its institutions increasingly unable to maintain a rule of law, its leaders unable to give their people something to believe in or something to hope for or something to be proud of. We seem to be stuck in a dead end. How do we get out of this dead end? Some have counseled us, in the best Cory tradition, to pray hard that the present crop of leaders will be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to mend their ways so that they can reverse the economic-social-political-moral decline of this unfortunate country. Not being a religious person, I do not put much stock by that option. Others have urged us to bring to the fore other men and women, presumably of a better caliber, who are not yet in the power loop, and build them up so that they become viable candidates in the next elections, in 2007 or 2010. That is probably the least painful option, but do we have the luxury of time? And, even if we did and we find someone whom we can believe in, will we have the financial resources with which to challenge the entrenched trapos? Maybe. Maybe not. The third option, which is being talked about more openly among the middle class, is to install a revolutionary government through another People Power uprising. And lest there are still those who tremble at the �R� word, let them be reminded that Cory Aquino was a revolutionary president installed by People Power � a Benevolent Dictator, if you will � from end of February 1986 to mid-September 1987, when a new Constitution was ratified and put into play. For 18 months, President Aquino ruled by decree. She was president, Congress and Supreme Court rolled into one. That nothing revolutionary happened during those 18 revolutionary months and the succeeding five constitutional years is to our everlasting shame and disappointment. Do we have another Benevolent Dictator � this time, hopefully a real one � in our future? Maybe. Maybe not. This early we can cross out some pretenders and possibilities. Such as Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Despite her chatter about building �a strong republic� and waging �a revolution in the way we do politics and economics,� she is really just another trapo. We cannot expect from her any more than what we have seen or what she has shown. Such as Gringo Honasan, the world�s leading expert on failed coups. He had the right messianic zeal, but he rented out his idealism in 1987 to Juan Ponce Enrile, who wanted to be president; in 1989 to Danding Cojuangco, who wanted to be president; in 2003 to Joseph Estrada, who wanted to be sprung from jail and restored to the presidency, even for only three days, so that the plunder charges against him can be formally dropped. Such as Joma Sison and his successors-in-interest. With 12 congressmen and hundreds of front organizations nationwide in every sector of society � something that would not have been allowed to happen in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand or Indonesia � the communist movement is in the best position to turn an insurrection into a revolution, with the help of the compliant media and some na�ve priests and nuns. (But, as I have often asked and they and theirs have never answered, if the Russian communists could not make Marxism-Leninism work even after 72 years of absolute power, what makes you think that Filipino communists can?) Such as Fidel Ramos. He has had his chance at the helm but he did not do anything revolutionary either. Rightly or wrongly, many in the middle class blame him for embracing free trade and globalization prematurely, leading to the ruin of hundreds of Filipino producers and the loss of jobs of millions of Filipino workers. That plus the popular perception that he caused everyone�s electricity bills to double weaken his appeal as a Benevolent Dictator. Such as Ping Lacson. Even though his accuser Col. Victor Corpus could not make his allegations stick � that Lacson was involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, multiple murders, money-laundering � there is still the unresolved matter, confirmed by the FBI in an official letter to the NBI, that his wife had/has four bank accounts in the US, two of which had �large balances.� Such as Fernando Poe Jr. Please, naman. Showbiz ignoramuses should stay in their make-believe world. Our problems are very real. To be acceptable to the middle class, the Benevolent Dictator must be morally clean, knowledgeable of the national issues, free of any connections or loyalty to the trapos, has real leadership potentials, and must be genuinely popular with the broad mass so that he or she can institute revolutionary changes in our society that will knock the wind out of the communist revolution. Does such an individual exist? Maybe. Maybe not. Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Benevolent Dictator� You are right. We do need a benevolent dictator, the likes of Lee Kuan Yew, Minister Mentor of Singapore. Unfortunately, it is doubtful if we can find one like him although there is someone one notch lower and that is Ping Lacson. If Gloria Macapagal Arroyo does not know yet, there is such thing as COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY and she being the President of the Philippines illegitimate she may be, has to answer to the Filipino people for the terrible outcome of the denuding of our forest. Has she not learned from the equally disastrous flooding in Ormoc City, Samar under her watch where thousands of lives were also lost? Illegal logging was blamed then. So were the flooding in Negros Occ., North Cotabato and Davao City. How many more lives have to perish, families broken and properties destroyed before the government gets serious about this problem? Throwing the blame to the New Peoples Army just shows how stupid and hare-brained this virago of a woman that sits in that stinking palace is. Gloria Arroyo as Commander-in-Chief was basically telling the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police that they are inutile and helpless against the insurgents. Imagine the NPA cutting trees, loading the logs and transporting them down to be sold passing through all the check points of the AFP, PNP and DENR? It is no secret though that the NPA has been extorting money from the loggers in the form of revolutionary tax, non compliance or failure to pay would mean the burning and destruction of their equipment and other property. Issuing an executive order for the TOTAL ban of logging with the corresponding stiff penalty is in order. But the question is, will Gloria Arroyo have the political will to do it? For Pete�s sake, she can even just order the DENR not to issue any permit to cut. However, under the Arroyo administration, corruption and poverty which are attributable to illegal logging will be difficult to fight much more win. But we need to do something to save our beloved country and that national patrimony. There is a need and it is not yet too late for a real honest to goodness national reforestation movement involving all sectors of society. This should include the caring and monitoring of the planted trees, responsibility of which to be delegated among the different government agencies and private organizations each given designated areas. A reward or incentive should be waiting for those with at l east 90% surviving at that certain age when they can be left on their own. Narciso Limsiaco Ner, [email protected] Los Angeles, California, December 09, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Sirs, I would want to share with you a poem that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Philipine situation. It truly reminds me of our beloved Filipinas. Mesopotamia (1917) Rudyard Kipling They shall not return to us , the resolute and the young, the eager and whole hearted whom we gave: But the men who left them thriftily to die in their own dung, Shall they come with years and honour to the grave? They shall not return to us, the strong men coldly slain In sight of help denied from day to day: But the men who edged their agonies and chid them in their pain, Are they too strong to put away? Our dead shall not return to us while day and night divide- Never shall the bars of sunset hold. But the idle-minded overlings who quibbled while they died, shall they thrust for high employments as of old? Shall we only threaten and be angry for an hour? When the storm has ended shall we find How softly but how swiftly they had sidled back to power By the favour and contrivance of their kind? Even while they soothe us, while they promise large amends, Even while they make a show of fear, Do they call upon their debtors and take counsel with their friends, To conform and re-establish each career? Their lives cannot repay us - their death could not undo- the shame they laid upon our race. But the slothfulness that wasted and the arrogance that slew, Shall we leave it unabated in its place? Toby Balboa, [email protected] Centennial Park, Sydney, Australia December 09, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, What we need is a man like the late Ho Chi Min. He went around wearing nothing but a pair pants that looked like pajamas, rubber sandals, and a pith hat but here was a man who unselfishly dedicted his life to the welfare of his country; a man whom his people followed to whatever path he chose to take; a man who led a citizen army that defeated a superpower like the US. Here was a man and a leader who thoroughly loved his country. Do we have such a man or woman? Yours truly, James Litton, [email protected] December 09, 2004 MY REPLY. We probably do, but our political culture will not allow him or her to be noticed. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, Bravo! Here where I am garbage day is every Thursday. Sadly, every day is Dirty Laundry Day out there. Now, how can anybody blame us for staying away? Been "away" since 1983, sadly. Bert Florentino, [email protected] December 09, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww "Such as Ping Lacson. Even though his accuser Col. Victor Corpus could not make his allegations stick � that Lacson was involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, multiple murders, money-laundering � there is still the unresolved matter, confirmed by the FBI in an official letter to the NBI, that his wife had/has four bank accounts in the US, two of which had "large balances."" Dear Mr Abaya, Would you mind to post through Talsik, Tapatt and your Manila Standard column a copy of the abovementioned letter of FBI to NBI re said accounts? Thank you. Bruce Carolino, [email protected] December 10, 2004 MY REPLY. Please see my article �Lacson�s Word Against the FBI�s� (Sept. 04, 2001) archived in www.tapatt.org. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: The time for a revolutionary government may be closer than most of us want to think. Perhaps the only reason for delay lies in our people's habit to put things off. Bahala Na. Bukas Na. Baka naman hindi pa ganoong kasama. Etc. So things take a bit more time in this place. It took 350+ years for an uprising against Spain. Then the US came in, and somehow dissipated a revolution in the promise of democracy that seemed to become reality in 1946. But the reality was that foreign colonizers were merely replaced by local boys - trapos - from whom there seems no escape or respite. However slow Philippine wheels may grind, they still do spin - and it seems inevitable that hunger, desperation and drift will soon conspire to push the Filipino over the brink. It could be with the next round of price hikes, whether for electric rates or transport fares or gasoline prices or food & groceries. Or it could be when CAP actually collapses and pushes many who were swindled to the streets. Or it could be when MGen Carlos F. Garcia is acquitted by the military court martial to save his higher-ups. Or it could be when it becomes even more apparent that the elite don't give a hoot for anyone: Hacienda Luisita & Quezon Logging are but the latest dramatic manifestations and maybe the next rally dispersal willbe "it." The truth is that a spontaneous combustion could take place anytime. And in this context, it may be best if some people in the military acted sooner rather than wait for an EDSA as an occasion for action. If another EDSA is to be the trigger, I fear it will lead to mobs suddenly going after all their enemies (all who have cellphones, cars, houses or apartments). Then it will be harder for anyone to reinstate order. The really sad part is that the only ones who will escape this cataclysm will again be the really, really rich, corrupt and powerful. I'm certain that the AFP's current crop of colonels and majors can set up a benevolent revolutionary government quickly and competently. I just hope that they don't use Filipino time to do it. TITO OSIAS, [email protected] December 10, 2004 MY REPLY. But, of course, nobody knows if those �colonels and majors� will really be �benevolent.� wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Ah yes. One of those. But who nowadays is not tainted with corruption? WHo among us could honestly say that we will be willing to follow the rules to the letter and not bend them to our convenience. It seems that we all clamor for change but it is our inside being that refuses to change. "Ano? Pipila ako dyan? Bumayad ka na lang ng pipila." Or the famous, "Mama para sa tabi. Sabi ng para eh! Ano ka ba bingi?" Or better yet, "Pare ga-graudate na inaanak mo, baka naman pwedeng ipasok mo na sa gobyerno?" Our problem is monumental because it is located in the core of our existence. Nobody is willing to sacrifice. A benevolent leader is an excellent choice. But regardless who he or she may be, heads will literally and figuratively roll. That would then create another class of dissatisfied citizens. A French Revolution type of cleansing might be the only way because that will do a lot that our justice method seem to be unable to do. A shakeup of the whole system is necessary. And as such, the result will be a lot of death and anger that it will just forment another revolution. In my humble opinion, it is faith. The "real", not the acquired or inherited faith in God that will change us. The real deep experience that this world is just temporary and we have something more glorious to look forward to. I suppose graft and corruption is also rampant is because many have chosen to believe that there is no after life. Why would then they horde all those material possessions if they do? What will happen to them once they have passed away. So, with all due respect to Mr. Abaya, I disagree that prayer will not work. I used to say those prayers. The real, honest to goodness prayers do work though. A benevolent leader? Yes, there is still one. If we choose to make Christ the King of our lives, then the right changes will happen. Jojo Vicencio, [email protected] December 10, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I read the article last night and it scared me as the reasons for a possible revolution from all socio economic classes is true. I also liked how you explained that despite freedom of the press, no big fish are being put to jail. Keep it up. Ed Francisco, [email protected] December 10, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Sir, Good day! Thanks a lot for sending me a copy of your article "Benevolent Dictator." At least it's more convenient for me to read your insights at my in-box. I so much agree that we joined the global trading arena too pre-maturely. Almost all sectors of the economy had been hit by it. Some consumers were happy of the low priced goods coming from other countries without counting the more damaging effects to the local economy. The government have been saying that safety nets were being set up for the local producers to cope the global challenge. Do we have the resources, the decisiveness, the sincerity to implement appropriate economic policies and the honesty to handle the meager budget we have for achieving optimum productivity to be able to compete in the global trading environment? I am a government employee, for the past years what I can see are lot of inconsistencies and insincerity in government even at the top. The globalization phenomena is here with us already. Something has to be done. For those who have seen that the case is hopeless, they prefer to get out of the country. If they can. For me I just keep on working to provide for my family. I just encourage my children to have a global outlook. Can we still hope for something better ahead at the domestic scene? Your article say it much. Thank you, Driggs Matabaran, [email protected] December 10, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi, Tony Very nice, very good article. Your pessimism may be a flag of things to come. Regards, Toti Chikiamco, [email protected] December 10, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww You expressed clearly what we all feel and think. Now add a part two to your article. We have to start looking for that person, getting a consensus, then getting support. Lolita Delgado Fansler, [email protected] December 10, 2004 MY REPLY. Perhaps the events of the coming weeks and months will bring to the fore the individuals from whom we can choose our next leader/leaders. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya: I don't get to see your columns on a regular basis (since I am not a subscriber of the Standard) but I like those I've seen. I like your views and I like the way you express them. I suspect that your words might be like pearls before swine but, hey, if people like you stop speaking out, this country will be in even worse shape. Personally, I am a believer in limited government for the simple reason that democratic government invariably comes under the control of politicians who simply cannot be trusted to do the right things. As students of 'public choice' have long established, politicians always act in their best interests (not the public's) and for their private, personal gain. The tenacity with which our senators and congressmen cling to their pork is just one small (though obvious) illustration of this. Limiting the power of government may be the only real way to limit the harm that politicians do to us (the public). Thus, I am for dispersed power and am wary of proposals that call for a greater concentration of power (benevolent, though, that this power might theoretically be). My concerns are that autocrats do not necessarily produce better economic results than 'laissez faire' and, if the power turns malignant (as it has in the past), there is no easy way of defeating it. What I'd prefer to see happen is for the functions of government to be sharply trimmed and for the power and perks of government officials to be reduced so that government positions cannot become sources of pecuniary benefit and so that government cannot cause us (the public) too much damage (whether from overpriced roads, ineffective services, useless regulations, bureaucratic gridlocks, etc.). It seems to me that what this country badly needs to do is to minimize the material rewards that can be realized from public office so that those who seek it will be limited to those whose notion of private gain is public acclaim, and not fortune or American real estate. This means not only that the direct material rewards - like the pork barrel - be eliminated, but also that the power of public officials to regulate our economic lives be severely restricted. People should realize that the power to influence economic outcomes - who makes money and who doesn't - can easily be used for even greater pecuniary benefit. Limited government, I believe, is better government. Unfortunately, I cannot see now how this might be achieved. Would-be reformers will never win elections against the politicos. My only hope is that a constitutional convention might be a vehicle for making the 'limited government' movement come to pass. But - since politicos will anyway see to it that their stooges get elected to such a Con-Con - it is, admittedly, a very slim hope. Keep on punching! All the best, Ren� B. Azurin, [email protected] Diliman, Q.C., December 10, 2004 (I teach Strategy and Business History in the U.P. MBA program.) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, If we go by constitutional succession, the VP is next in line. Definitely, Kabayan Noli De Castro is far from being worthy, probably only a notch higher than FPJ. Next is Senate President Franklin Drilon. For me, he lacks the political will to tackle head-on major and sensitive issues. He does not mince words when it is needed. He seemed to be in his �comfort zone� and does not rise above occasion when the situation calls for it. He has a lackadaisical attitude not to take the bull by the horns. Speaker Joe De Venecia comes next on the list. This one is no-brainer and self-explanatory, hence, no need to elaborate. Now, the most interesting person next on queue is Chief Justice Davide. If we go by your criteria and standards: �To be acceptable to the middle class, the Benevolent Dictator must be morally clean, knowledgeable of the national issues, free of any connections or loyalty to the trapos, has real leadership potentials, and must be genuinely popular with the broad mass so that he or she can institute revolutionary changes in our society that will knock the wind out of the communist revolution�. No doubt, this man has complied about 90% of your specifications. Looking on the horizon, I don�t think any individual is looming at present or in the near future that matches your personality template other than Chief Justice Davide, Jr. However, the next question is how do we install Davide on the throne? One plausible means I can think of is through a �snap election�, but then this entails enormous expense the nation can�t afford anymore. Beside, we need to have a strong justification to get to this stage. Obviously, the only bitter choice left is to have another revolutionary scenario akin to �EDSA� uprising. God bless our country. Rgds, Jerome Escobedo, [email protected] December 10, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, I got hold of your article, "Benevolent Dictator" through a forwarded e-mail, and although I am not what you can consider as an avid fan of yours, whenever I come across any of your writings, I do take them seriously. I shuddered at two possible options you wrote that will get us out of the present "economic-social-political-moral decline of this unfortunate country". The first option, which will likely be taken by the middle class, is the "People power- Edsa Style type of protest action". Recall that all the previous successful "People Power protests" were victorious only because they were backed by the military. For sure, with the present scandalous state of the military, the military top brass will be eager to support such an action at this time if only to get out of the current mess they are in. But alas, what kind of revolution will happen with this option? Nothing, and again we will be back to square 1. The scariest option, which would be more appealing to the "underclasses", is the "Communist revolution". This is an option that would take the form of an insurrection from the masses and which will be supported by the various leftist groups that have already slowly positioned themselves in the various sector of our society. I considered scary because it has the highest probability to happen among all the existing options mentioned, primarily because the "masses" can easily be "swayed" by any organized group like the communists. A revolution will happen alright, but this will set us back by so many years and will surely be behind all the other countries in the region. But will the masses care? To them, it will be an opportunity for improvement, something that they do not perceive with the current situation our country is in right now. Religious or not, we should all pray together that our country will be spared from these two scenarios. Best regards, Rey F. Abella, [email protected] Tarlac, December 10, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya : Thought I would pass on to u my email to a former De La Salle HS 53 classmate,. Francisco "Spanky" Gonzalez a long-time resident of Virginia, U.S.A, who forwarded to me your article which I understand was published in The Manila Standard last 07 December. Incidentally, I used to be in your mailing list but for unknown reasons have not received postings for quite some time. My most cordial regards. Tony Elica�o, [email protected] 20 Cabildo, Urdaneta Village Makati City, December 10, 2004. ----- Original Message ----- From: Antonio B. Elicano To: Francisco Gonzalez Sent: Friday, December 10, 2004 7:43 PM Subject: Re: Benevolent Dictator Spanky : I have said it for the past 20 years - what our country needs is someone like Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. The author of this piece, the columnist Tony Abaya (who incidentally is an Atenean so it does surprise me that he wrote he is "not a religious person"), does seem to think along parallel lines, even if he does not come forth unequivocally with a categorical statement. The next question that begs to be asked is - does our country have such a man, morally and ethically upright (clean heart, clean mind, clean hands - and not the lackey of vested interests), knowledgeable, pragmatic, strong-willed and possessing of intestinal fortitude, and charismatic that he will command the support of all levels of society? There may be a very rare few in the horizon but, who knows - the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Will such a person when he is in power eventually succumb to the sheer force of present-day Philippine politics and politician trapos, and carried by the gargantuan levels of corruption in Philippine business and society? Marcos failed the test miserably. He had a golden opportunity and he not only squandered it - he and his conjugal partner in crime brought corruption into its state-of-the-art levels which until then were unimaginable.. So, quo vadis Philippines, our beloved country? Like Mr. Abaya, I don't know - unlike Mr. Abaya, I will continue to pray. Warmest regards. Tony wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi, Tony. It is high time we, as a people, and as individuals, stop blaming the government for the state of our nation. We have perfected the habit of blaming everybody for our woes except ourselves. We blamed the Spanish, then the Americans, then the Japanese, then the different administrations. It is high time we stop cursing the darkness and start lighting candles in the dark. If only everyone did his share; if only everyone did his duty and did it well; even if only half did it, we would be a great nation. Let us follow the footsteps of Mr. Henry Sy who continued to expand his shopping empire in spite of the political conditions and in spite of who was in power. In fact it was during the Ninoy Aquino assasination, and the coup that the SM North, and the Mega Mall were constructed. Let us follow the footsteps of the Couples for Christ in their noble goal of building 700,000 homes for 7,000 communities in 7 years. At the beginning, there were several critics who saw the goal as impossible. But like the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fish, the goal is suddenly becoming very feasible. The CFC chose to light a candle in the dark than to curse in the darkness. Let us follow the footsteps of the several Filipinos who have excelled in various international competitions in spite of lack of government support. Let us also stop focusing on the negatives in our country and start noticing the positives. If only all columnists would strive to devote at least one for every three columns they write to making positive observations, it just might change the very negative mental attitude of the Filipino. When Churchill was asked what he thought of his critics. He replied, "there was never a statue that was erected in honor of a critic." As for me, I have succeeded in minimizing my watching of talk shows and reading newspapers. The best way to help the country is to do your job and do it well. Have a great day! Bobby Tordesillas, [email protected] December 10, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww How about Willie Wong, former FOIC, Philippine Navy? Dan Jimenez, [email protected] December 10, 2004 MY REPLY. What about him? He is an almost total unknown. Very hard for any unknown to start a revolution or lead one. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Your search for a "benevolent dictator" is a good invitation to Filipino citizens whose views share the same wavelength as yours. This, however, entirely depends on political maturity and intelligence. Was it not the practice at one time among the ancient Greeks and Romans that when the safety of the citizens and the city-state is in imminent danger due to outside invasion or natural catastrophe, a �tyrant� or �dictator� is appointed usurping all the powers vested in the king or senate for a period of time as decided by the king or his council or SPQR. You are hoping a Filipino or a Filipina who has the charisma, drilled in the economics of the third world and whose patriotism is rooted from a "Cincinnatus� model to come out and rise to the occasion. Time and time again when national problems look insurmountable, this issue resurfaced. It is not a question of shortage nor surplus of leaders but what we have is a political orientation gone mad where there is unabated poverty of the people who in turn are happily surviving on handouts doled out by politicians every election time. What can we expect but an ugly continuity of recycled politicians who by alternating with relatives will remain in power even when their terms of office come to an end. If the political system allows anyone with money, the rich and powerful can have anything including �serving� in the government to maintain prestige and family standing in society. The continuity of the same blood and breed of politicians bequeathing the same insensitivity to similar problems is a vicious cycle that keep on grinding at the expense of the economy and the general well being of the citizens. It is a sad commentary that currently, there is no end insight to the vicious cycle. It is painfully sad that the �newcomers�, �new blood� are not given the chance or opportunity to serve their country, even worse the chance to serve as benevolent despot and economic czar is zero percent! O democracy! how many inequities have been committed in thy name! Jose Sison Luzadas, [email protected] Delray Beach, FL, December 11, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww You paint a grim picture not so much of what the future holds for the Philippines, but you paint a grim picture based on your opinion that there is this visible lack of a credible real option to replace the traditional politicians. But wait a minute: I have a person in mind -one who is pure of heart, pure of mind and pure of spirit. How about Francisco Frank Padilla? A spiritual leader who converted Couples for Christ into a worldwide Christian discipleship with followers scattered all over the world (wherever you find the Pinoy Diaspora). With terrific pedigreed credentials (Ateneo high school, La Salle commerce, Harvard MBA) a son of the brilliant senator Ambrosio Padilla, Frank may be the type of leader the Philippines (and Filipinos from all walks of life) must now recognize. Frank is bright enough to understand what the country needs in terms of economic and social requirements, and he is religious enough to understand the limits and obligations and responsibilities of power and privilege. I cast my vote for Frank not because I am an Atenean or a Harvard alumnus like him, but because there is actually no one that can come close to his achievements in the realm of true leadership. Not having worked in the government or in the military, Frank has never been in a position where he has abused the trust given to him as an elected official just as he has never been stained by a scandal involving birbery, extortion, kidnapping, etc. In short, Frank Padilla carries no stain or stigma in his veins. A true leader must understand that the power (and privilege) to lead requires the obligation to deliver. The Philippine "trapos" are trapos because to them the position of power and privilege that they have earned through vote-buying and fradulent elections does not entail any obligation on their part to serve the people. Rather, it is the people who are obligated in fact to pay their respects to them. Enough of the trapos, let's pick Frank Padilla to become President. Manny Tiangha, [email protected] California, December 11, 2004 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww WELL SAID! Now, if we could only move to set things in motion. Or else, we shall be as guilty talking till kingdom come. Cesar Sarino, [email protected] December 11, 2004 THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE PHILIPPINES by Father James Reuter, S.J. By her own admission, GMA rightfully assessed that "over the last decades,our republic has become one of the weakest, steadily left behind by its more progressive neighbors." Forty years ago, we were only second to Japan in economic stature, and way ahead of Singapore, Hongkong,Malaysia, and Thailand. Today, at our present growth rate, it will take us 30 years to get to where Thailand is today. 1. A population of 160 Million; 2. Of those, 70 to 90 million (equivalent to our current population) will live below the poverty line; 3. Our national debt is estimated to be at US$200B (compared to US$28B when Marcos fled, and US$ 53B today); 4. We will be competing, not against Thailand or even Vietnam, but against Bangladesh; 5. We will be the most corrupt nation in Asia, if not in the world (we're already ranked 11th most corrupt nation by Transparency International). The signs are clear. Our nation is headed towards an irreversible path of economic decline and moral decadence. It is not for lack of effort. We've seen many men and women of integrity in and out of government, NGOs, church groups & people's organization devote themselves to the task of nation-building, often times against insurmountable odds. But not even two people's revolutions, bloodless as they may be, have made a dent in reversing this trend. At best, we have moved one step forward, but three steps backward. We need a force far greater than our collective efforts, as a people, can ever hope to muster. It is time to move the battle to the spiritual realm. It's time to claim GOD's promise of healing of the land for His people. It's time to gather GOD's people on its knees to pray for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. Is prayer really the answer? Before you dismiss this as just another rambling of a religious fanatic, I'd like you to consider some lessons we can glean from history. England's ascendancy to world power was preceded by the. Reformation, a spiritual revival fuelled by intense prayers. The early American settlers built the foundation that would make it the most po werful nation today - a strong faith in GOD and a disciplined prayer life. Throughout its history, and especially at its major turning points, waves of revival and prayer movement swept across the land. In recent times, we see Korea as a nation experiencing revival and in the process producing the largest Christian church in the world today, led by Rev. Paul Yongi Cho. No wonder it has emerged as a strong nation when other economies around it are faltering. Even from a purely secular viewpoint, it makes a lot of sense. For here there is genuine humbling & seeking of GOD through prayer, moral reformation necessarily follows. And this, in turn, will lead to general prosperity. YES, we believe prayer can make a difference. It's our only hope. Today, we launch this email brigade, to inform Filipinos from all over the world to pray, as a people, for the economic recovery and moral reformation of our nation. We do not ask for much. We only ask for 5 minutes of your time in a day, to fwd this email to your close friends and relatives. This is the kind of unity which can make a big difference. Of course, if you feel strongly, as I do, about the power of prayer, you can be more involved by starting your own prayer group or prayer center. We have tried people power twice; in both cases, it fell short. Maybe it's time to try prayer power. GOD never fails. Is there hope? YES! We can rely on GOD's promise, but we have to do our part. If we humble ourselves and pray as a people, GOD will heal our land. By GOD's grace,we may yet see a better future for our children. GOD bless and GOD save our country (from stupid and corrupt politicians)! "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land."(2 Chronicles 7:14). wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww |
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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Manong Tony, How about Chairman Fernando, is he not a benevolent dictator? -- Ernesto A. Pilapil, Jr., [email protected] Jintuu Designs, Philippines January 13, 2005 MY REPLY. Chairman Fernando is either a Benevolent Nothing or only a Talipapa Dictator. He is not yet ready for a national position, especially for Benevolent Dictator. Perhaps in another ten years. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |