| Bishops versus Queen
By Antonio C. Abaya Written on Nov. 11, 2008 For the Standard Today, November 13 issue Those were harsh words that five Roman Catholic bishops spoke against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as quoted in the Oct. 29 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. "Twenty million hungry Filipinos will disagree with the proclaimed 'ramdam ang kaunlaran' (progress is felt') � which is the administration's favorite mantra � with their own experience. 'Ramdam ang kahirapan, ramdam ang gutom.' (Poverty is felt, hunger is felt')," Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said yesterday. "The benefits of the much proclaimed economic growth are not felt by the masses," the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president said in a statement which he issued jointly with three other bishops and the vocal administration critic, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz. Asked by reporters later if he thought President Macapagal-Arroyo was corrupt, Lagdameo unhesitatingly said "yes." Asked if the President deserved to be removed from power, he said "the answer should come from the people who see what's happening in our country." Lagdameo said in a press conference that the statement, which called for "immediate reforms," was the product of communal discernment" with Cruz, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon, Banga-Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas and Legazpi Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra. "In the past few years up to today, we have watched how corruption has become endemic, massive, systemic and rampant in our politics. Corruption is a social and moral cancer," said Lagdameo, who clarified that he was making the statement as the archbishop of Jaro and not as the CBCP president. "In response to the global economic crisis and the pitiful state of our country, the time to rebuild our country economically, socially, politically is now," Lagdameo said. "The time to start radical reforms is now. The time for moral regeneration is now. The time to conquer complacency, cynicism and apathy and to prove that we have matured from our political disappointments, is now. The time to prepare for a new government is now," he said. Villegas stressed that they were not calling for another mass revolt. "We are making this statement because we believe that if we had been less corrupt we would be better prepared to face the impending global crisis. The problem of the Philippines is not population, the problem is corruption, Villegas said. End of quotes from the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Many concerned Filipinos would agree and sympathize with the bishops' sentiments. But, realistically speaking, how do the bishops propose to convert those sentiments into political action and reality? How do we start radical reforms now? How do we encourage moral regeneration now? How do we conquer complacency, cynicism and apathy now? How do we prepare for a new government now? To achieve these goals, there must be a political movement, and there must be a fearless and charismatic individual to personify that movement and articulate its goals, someone to publicly carry the torch for that movement. Most people, especially Filipinos, will not rally around an abstract idea, no matter how noble and compelling it may be. And � pray, tell � what are these "immediate and radical reforms" that the bishops want to push? Judging by Bishop Villegas' last line, it could include equating the use of condoms with abortion. Barack Obama's 'Change We Need' and 'Yes We Can' would not have won the commitment of tens of millions of Americans if there was no Barack Obama to personify and eloquently articulate it. Do the bishops have someone in mind, our own Barack Obama? If they do, I doubt if they will publicly name him or her. And they shouldn't, as they should not involve themselves in partisan politics. About three years ago, Archbishop Lagdameo expressed the need for a "new breed of leaders," which I supported in one of my columns. But my Thursday group met with him and seven other bishops to find out how this "new breed of leaders' could come to prominence, seeing that Philippine media tend to publicize only trapos, coup plotters and communists. Our impression was that the bishops had no practical method on how to bring about this transformation. Or, if they had one, they did not want to tell us. Ten months ago, at the height of the ZTE broadband scandal, a previously unknown individual, Jun Lozada � who was/is neither a trapo nor a coup plotter nor a communist � shot up to prominence because of the weight of his testimony before the Senate committees investigating the scam, and his apparent readiness to risk his life in doing so. Lozada became the man of the hour as no Filipino has ever become since the beloved Ninoy was assassinated in 1983. Because he spoke mostly in Filipino � eloquently and with deadpan humor, at that � Lozada connected with all levels of society. Even our maids and drivers followed the senate hearings and the TV interviews every day. In his many forays into schools and universities, he was welcomed and embraced by the young people like a rock star. No public figure has excited the young people of this country as Lozada did, since Miriam Defensor-Santiago ran for president in 1992 (and topped all public opinion surveys and straw votes in and out of schools at that time.) But Lozada was eventually gagged by no less than the bishops, who banned Catholic schools from further inviting him to their campuses, even as Malacanang's paid hacks in media stumbled over each other bad-mouthing him, both for the benefit of the embattled Black Queen. I am not sure if Archbishop Lagdameo and the other White Bishops-critics of President Arroyo participated in the gagging of Lozada, but they certainly did nothing to protest or prevent it. In chess, as in our cannibalistic politics, it is almost impossible for just two (or even more) White Bishops to checkmate the Black King, without the help of White Knights and White Rooks. Lozada could have been one of the White Knights and the Catholic schools and the NGO community could have been the White Rooks. Even without a White Queen, the White Bishops can checkmate the Black King, but not if the White Knights are gagged and the White Rooks are purged of sentiments inimical to the Black Queen... On the other hand, the Black Queen is very powerful. She has her own Black Bishops who are rewarded generously for their loyalty. Her Black Knights � the AFP and the PNP � are coiled to strike at a moment's notice. Her Black Rooks � the Lower House and (soon) the Supreme Court � are impregnable, while upfront, her eight willing pawns � Ronnie Puno, Eduardo Ermita, Hermenigildo Esperon, Raul Gonzalez, Bert Gonzales, Prospero Nograles, Joey Salceda and Nene Pimentel � are eager to change the rules of the game so that the Black Queen can reign forever. Check?!!!? More like bundles of cash in paper bags. ***** SWAP WITH THAILAND. During a round table discussion of current events yesterday with some faculty members and students at the Lyceum of the Philippines, a student asked how to resolve the impasse regarding the request of former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for political asylum in the Philippines. I suggested a swap: We will grant political asylum to Thaksin, as long as, and at the same time that, Thailand agrees to grant political asylum to President Arroyo. Fair? ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in acabaya.blogspot.com. Tony on YouTube in www.tapatt.org. To subscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Subscribe. To unsubscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Unsubscribe. . OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to "Bishops versus Queen" More Reactions to "Obama, Perhaps" More Reactions to "Letter from Paris" 'What about LaRouche' Which was the other religious group which commented that the Catholic Church hierarchy is too politicized, or something to that effect? Anyway, I also think that the bishops' call for change is too idealized, and without concrete ideas to back them up, which is why nothing has happened. In the case of Cardinal Sin, he succeeded in calling out the people to EDSA because there was just one thing to do: show support for the beleaguered Ramos and Enrile. That was one thing people understood, and they went to EDSA in droves. Same with People Power II. Show up to manifest your loss of trust in the current President. And they did. As for Lozada, in the beginning I also listened to the radio coverage of his testimony before the Senate. But what I heard was a weepy Lozada, who constantly asked for a break, and, whether justified or not, he never even came close to becoming a hero. Ethel, [email protected], Nov. 13, 2008 (I thought that in the Philippine context merely telling the truth was heroic enough, but I could be wrong. What more should Lozada have done to make him a hero in your eyes? Get assassinated by his abductors? ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww With respect, I think the five bishops are just enumerating their complaints against the government without offering any solutions. They are merely repeating what the opposition of President Arroyo are saying. We Catholics always want to help our poor people, and we can see that the bishops are in a better position to mandate on them to help themselves. On hunger for example, maybe the bishops should include in their weekly sermons on how to plant crops and how to raise animals, and back them up with leaflets. To see to it that those who need help are being served. In their diocese, they can start a church Peace Corp, where members will be volunteers to work with farmers. In financing, they can also solicit to raise funds for the farmers. These forms of giving solutions are tangible and easy for the church to try, maybe they will work for everybody. Just concerned, Art Vo, [email protected], Nov. 14, 2008 (So why don't they just talk about crops and farm animals, instead of pontificating about corruption, radical reforms, and a "new breed of leaders"? ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Indeed, bishops are colorful in this country and there are enough of them patently in the service of the black Queen. The rooks, knights and pawns you refer to are easy to spot in black, but one often wonders whether there are comparably powerful figures in white. White pieces in this country have a short board life; they either soon get to be grey or black and -- in the most critical times -- they (like Diokno and, to a lesser extent, Yorac) are simply wiped off the board forever. Still, the relentless logic of history will eventually catch up with political chess as it plays in the Philippines. Even now, I think, there is a chance the black Queen is already in zugswang or, at least, perilously close to it. For those playing against black, resignation at this point is premature and, of course, irreversibly fatal. So, Cheers! Pepe Miranda, (by email), Nov. 14, 2008 Founding chair, Pulse Asia Inc. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Lao Tse taught that a corrupt and oppressive regime will self-destruct. Protests or demos only prolong its life. He suggests action through inaction. When he said this, he must have in mind the vaccine principle. Low doses of an enemy look-alike keeps anti-bodies trained, strong and alert. It teaches the regime how to deal with the real thing. This is what keeps the Queen going. Conversely, successive failures can dampen or weaken one's resolve. Although benumbed by the failed expectations of EDSA 1 and 2, thousands of weary and wary souls took to the streets once more in reaction to the Hello Garci tapes. They were hoping for the Church' support. Alas, instead, CBCP issued a call for communal action. This turned the angry mode into a reflective one. What do the bishops mean? Feeling confused and abandoned many demonstrators packed up and went home. The few men left standing faded away too. Again when the people raged for action at the height of the ZTE-NBN controversy, the bishops pour cold water in their midst when it embarked on a redundant search for the truth that was hidden only to those who chose to be blind, deaf and dumb. Our group here took to heart the bishops' call for communal action even we felt that CBCP itself wasn't really serious about it. We were expecting Church-supported teach-ins symposiums, workshops designed to arrive at a consensus that shall serve as a basis for communal action. Alas it did not come. And so when a handful of disgruntled bishops suddenly found their voice, they had nothing to offer but wrath and discontent. What shall we do? No answer. It is as if Cardinal Sin is alive once more. Change the leaders! How? With what? With whom? Then what? No answers. We sent CBCP our own two cents worth of suggestions for communal action. No answer. Our main concern is to rid ourselves of a system that enables the likes of the Queen to hold sway over our lives. For as power can be in the hands of the inept and corrupt, there is no way a new breed of leaders can emerge, much less prevail. In principle, federalism is the answer. Actually, it is not. The idea is to disperse power and wealth to LGU's, not to states. This can be done by Congress, but it won't. Our challenge is how to convince or force them to. Eustaquio Joven, (by email), Nov. 14, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww While I agree with the Bishops, I am also dismayed with their delayed actions. Before, there was a call for the CBCP to make an appeal to GMA to resign, however, they declined before. Now, the very same group is now calling for changes in the government. The same government that they gave chance. Honestly, wala na kakapal sa mga mukha ng mga tao sa gobyerno now. Respect for others is not in their evil minds...Para bang ang mali, yun pa ang tama.. Parang ganun ang mantra ng govt na ito. This administration will lose big time in the coming elections. Mike Delgado, (by email), Nov. 14, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Philippine bishops and priests have been charged with sexual harassment, malversation of funds, having their own family (with the priest's live in "wife" and children), some priests simply disappear never to come back, fewer and fewer young man are interested in the priestly vocation, church attendance is decreasing, the Catholic Church is loosing thousands of their flock to other religious sects, bishops and priest could only gather an embarrassing pittance of a crowd as compared to Mike Velarde. I'm a Catholic, and I want to know what our Catholic Church leaders, bishops, riests, CBCP...etc. are doing to correct the embarrassing and dire situation the Catholic Church in the Philippines is at right now. Lagdameo et al are probably right in their political proclamations, in fact I agree with most of it. But what are these priests doing with the stinking garbage in their own backyard? Andy Pages, (by email), Nov. 14, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony! If Archbishop Lagdameo had given that speech right after the Hyatt Ten declared their manifesto of resignation, we would have had a new government! BTW he was my student in San Jose Seminary, together with Bishop Bacani. Cheers! Rudy Villarica, (by email), Nov. 14, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww This is a reaction to your article titled Bishops versus Queen for the Nov 13 issue of Standard Today. As expected, you have an innovative and convincing idea in comparing the game of chess with the game of politics in the country. As we know it, the game of chess has two players - one assigned to the black and other to the white pieces - who determine the outcome, with one the loser and the other winner. I understand that the best player and the winner is the one who can make five advanced moves. Given the fact that the black pieces represent the status quo as represented by GMA, who or which do you think should handle the white pieces that represent changes (radical reforms; moral regeneration; overcoming complacency, cynicism and apathy; and preparing a new government) and make the advanced moves so that the Lozada and other crusaders can not be gagged and the Catholic schools and NGO community can not be purged of sentiments against the GMA. Please enlighten us. Edmundo Enderez, (by email), Nov. 15, 2008 (Definitely not Jejomar Binay or Bayani Fernando. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hello Tony, With due respect to the bishops and the CBCP, what have they done to alleviate poverty and the so called evils in the society? They castigate GMA for just everything but I do not recall they issue a strong statement againts the pardon of Erap! Wow they are againts corruption they say! The homilies againts the bill of rep Lagman shows they utter blindness and they clearly ignore the fact that over population is one of the major cause of powerty and hunger. The chruch operates the biggest and most expensive schools in the country that mostly caters to the rich since they are the only ones that can afford it.. In return do they do anything to help educate the poor. I agree that corruption and governmentt wrong doings are rampant but the Church has to be consistent. IF they castigate GMA, then they should do so also on all. Mabuhay po kayo. Regards, Marvin Valido, (by email), Nov. 15, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, GMA's advisers are the remnants of the Marcos era, hence, they know from experience the rule of divide and conquer. What of those largeese from corruption. Thanks and more power ! Bert Celera, (by email), Nov. 15, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I am skeptical if not cynical that the current breed of politicians can articulate a message (except by making unsubstantiated allegations or personal attacks) that will resonate with the people about the need of the country to be led to a new direction There is no credibility when local politicians, a private citizen or other groups (without superstar qualities or celebrity credentials) take any issue and could move the people. People have become tired, unsympathetic, and even tone-deaf by now. Other than that is the lack of eloquence and substance from those who might be tempted to speak openly and courageously about the many things that are hurting the country. I believe that the search for a messenger could never be found in any of the 7000+ islands in the Philippines, but in the lager continents of America and Europe. Evidently antipathy or aversion to GMA is strong but reaction from the people is weak. Dr. Nestor P. Baylan, (by email), New York City, Nov. 15, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Government officials may they be with the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches will have second thoughts of committing corruption and other anomalies if the President and those around her are honest and sincere in eradicating graft and corruption. The head of the state must lead by example. There is this Filipino psyche which tends to follow what the leader does, right or wrong.. Sa salitang kalye, si boss nga nagnanakaw di magnakaw din ako. Bottom line, THE PROBLEM IS GLORIA MACAPAL ARROVO!. Narciso Ner, (by email), Davao City, Nov. 17, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Sir Tony, Nicely put! I was reading and waiting for you to mention the own reforms the Church should do on the population issue and thank goodness you mentioned it. Unfortunately, no matter what the Church says now - they lost their credibility since they too have their own in-fighting and obviously being "bought" by the palace or so the media suggests. The fact that they tried to gag Lozada at the height of the ZTE deal almost led me to become a Muslim because I could no longer trust the Church to stand by moral issues. The fact that they stopped him from speaking in Catholic schools sends a clear message to the young that morals no longer matter in this country. The highest bidder wins the favor of the Church. And unfortunately again - this time - if some Bishops are calling for "reforms" - maybe they should begin with themselves first? And live in the real world for a change? It's not a suggestion, it's a strong recommendation that they wake up and smell the garbage over in Pasig River. Over population is one major reason why poverty is so bad in this country. Why is it over populated? Government do not make options FREE and the Church tells the masses that if they practice birth control other than the natural method, they'll go to hell. Ob-gyne Doctors refuse to ligate women who want it due to a hundred and one reasons and vasectomy is an urban legend men are scared to even consider - simply because no one discusses it, no one wants to inform people of what's available. No politician wants to discuss this with 2010 being so close, because to them - the "Church vote" means political life or death - and a no-no topic is birth control and population management. And yet - does this Church consider kids ages 2-4 begging on the streets more morally acceptable than all the corruption going on in government? They haven't stood firm on ANYTHING at all since Cardinal Sin died! If you remember in the early 90s when then DOH Secretary Flavier pushed for the use of condoms and contraceptives - the Church came out with a letter priests read during their homilies calling Flavier the new anti-Christ. That was in 1991-1992 and ever since that time, I personally refused to enter a Church. But at least, during those times, they stood firm on something unlike today. So if in 2008, the Church wants reform - they they should begin within their own group and stand firm on an issue they know is right or wrong and fight the wrong and make people realize that if we continue on the path of being complacent and resign ourselves to this kind of government - we all go to hell, even the Church people will go to hell. Omission or the failure to act is also considered a sin. Kudos to the article, hope to read more and welcome back! Jenifer Xavier, (by email), Nov. 17, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Precisely!! and that is what I think all Filipinos have in mind. An "Obama" of the Philippines. But the problem as what I have in my mind is that those "Obamas" in the Philippines are now hibernating if not writing columns in newspapers (may or may not include you) or just hosting political TV shows or came back to being merely civic leaders. They may be thinking that even the electorate has been corrupted as well and there is really no chance at all. But Ninoy said that "Filipinos are worth dying for" so why not take another chance. We are being paraded for 2010 figures like "Palin". These aspirants as all Filipinos believe are not capable of leading the country and will not bring about that change that we need. This early, we have to call all Filipinos to hand select our "Obama" that even if the Black Queen tried hard to hang on to power, we will not need those knights, bishops and rooks. The pawns will swarm all over her to checkmate her. The big problem is, how to do it? Edelberto Anit, (by email), Nov. 17, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww *Hi Tony, I agree with the swap � Thaksin for Arroyo - but that would mean the Vice President, Noli de Castro, will take over, right? Perhaps Noli is not corrupt (we really don't know until he becomes president, and start thinking "what am in power for?"), but does he have the capabilities of a chief executive? Remember he wasn't named to the position of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, a traditional spot for the Filipino VP because nobody believed he was qualified for it. Faced with economic and other myriad problems as big as the world itself, Queen Gloria did not prove equal to the task, even with an Economics degree from Georgetown, so how does Noli fit in? You are right about the need for a charismatic, fearless and honest leader that the Pinoys can rally around, but where do we find this person? There was once a Ramon Magsaysay, but he was a rare breed. None of his successors could light a candle to that almost unlettered but true and lion-heart Pinoy! The only thing in common Noli could claim to have with RMM is his lack of fluency in English. We need another Magsaysay. You and I are sure there is one out there among the millions of qualified Pinoys. But when we finally find him or her, what guarantee do we have that graft and corruption which has, sad to say become a Filipino way of life, would not eventually consume that yet undiscovered champion? I guess we Filipinos have allowed the kind of misguided governance to go on for far too long that changing it is not only too difficult but has actually become impossible. The Catholic bishops can talk about reforms until they're blue in the face, but who and how could reform be brought about? Even they have admitted they don't know. All the best, Romy Monteyro, (by email), Scottsdale, Arizona, Nov 18, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Philippine bishops and priests have been charged with sexual harassment, malversation of funds, having their own family (with the priest's live in "wife" and children), some priests simply disappear never to come back, fewer and fewer young man are interested in the priestly vocation, church attendance is decreasing, the Catholic Church is loosing thousands of their flock to other religious sects, bishops and priest could only gather an embarrassing pittance of a crowd as compared to Mike Velarde. I'm a Catholic, and I want to know what our Catholic Church leaders, bishops, riests, CBCP...etc. are doing to correct the embarrassing and dire situation the Catholic Church in the Philippines is at right now. Lagdameo et al are probably right in their political proclamations, in fact I agree with most of it. But what are these priests doing with the stinking garbage in their own backyard? Andy Pages, (by email), Nov. 14, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to "Obama, Perhaps," (Nov. 03, 2008) It's so interesting and amazing the remarks made before the historic election results were known. People can be vile and vicious when it comes to putting down the candidate not of their choosing. The media was blamed, yet the misinformation to the outright lies circulated through the cybermail against the winning candidate was totally ignored. I spent my time answering the barrage of this blatant lies until I got so frustrated and gave up. Tothink that a good number of them were being circulated and re-circulated by supposedly "educated" compatriots added to such frustration. Their reasoning was "this is a free country and everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion"...hardly the way to intelligently debate the issues. While that maybe true, there is limit to the freedom of expression... limits within the bounds of truth and decency. It seems that this did not apply to these unscrupulous false/hoax email forwarders as long their own agenda is forwarded. Similarly amazing is how they have disappeared, nowhere to hear from after the majority have spoken. I can't resist but rub it on. I just hope they have the remaining decency, enough to follow their candidate with his very gracious, eloquently delivered concession speech. Now, it is time to move on. --- E..Q. Abellera, (by email), Nov. 18, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I forwarded your article "Obama, Perhaps", and from my right wing and conservatively oriented friends got some strong reactions. Could you please explain to me how you arrived at the statement: "Despite its claim to being a beacon of democratic polity, the US has had more political assassinations at the highest levels in the past 150 years than almost any other country on earth, Black Africa and the Middle East included". Do you have any materials to substantiate this? Can you tell me how you arrived at this number? Peter Magurean III, (by email), Nov. 05, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Peter, President Abraham Lincoln assassinated in 1865. President James Garfield assassinated in 1881. President William McKinley assassinated in 1901. President John F. Kennedy assassinated in 1961. President Ronald Reagan shot and wounded by a would-be assassin in 1981. In addition, Attorney General Robert Kennedy assassinated in 1968. Louisiana Governor Huey Long assassinated in 1935. Alabama Governor George Wallace shot and wounded by a would-be assassin in 1972. Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King assassinated in 1968. Did I miss anyone? Do you know of any other country that can top this, outside of war situations? Tony wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Thank you, Tony, I am so pleased to have your information...........Your number of 150 in your article is what I was questioned on, but for certain, the list you have given here is enough to say that we must be a violent nation. Peter wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to "Letters from Paris" (Oct. 28, 2008) Dear Sir, I was so busy with work that I was unable to react to your lovely letter from Paris. How I wish one day, I could have the opportunity to travel to Europe. Regards, Grace Santos, (by email), Nov.. 10, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I am happy to read - albeit belatedly - that you and your family are having a grand time in Paris. Of course, your article evokes the grandeur of the world's most beautiful city and rekindles one's own memories of "Gay Paris!" Thanks for your article. I am now reminded to visit Paris before it gets too late. One of my regrets in life is not having returned to Europe for almost 20 years since 1989. ( I have been travelling more to Asia, Australia, AmericaI and of course, our Beloved Philippines!) I better do it NOW while i am still in my mid-50s (53 y.o.). Perhaps next year (2009) with God's grace to make it exactly Two Decades ago! I completely agree with Ms. Margarita M. de Ortigas that it is best to remember things the way they were - and not the way they are. So apropos for your Paris of 47 years - or almost half a century ago! Thus, Barbara Streisand sang the immortal song, "The Way We Were!" Cheers! See you in Manila Ric Ramos, (by email), Santa Rosa, Laguna, Nov. 10, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Copy furnished by Auggie Surtida) Galing sumulat.................... What an interesting article, complete with historical data! Cynthia Hayemann, (by email), Beaulieu-sur-Mere, France, Nov. 11, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww What about LaRouche? Am sharing with a few of you the following that I had sent to a columnist who invoked LaRouche; in fairness, he responded with a thank you. Romeo Encarnacion, (by email), Bulgaria, Oct. 20, 2008 I read your article "It's time we listened to Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr." with great interest. Just like you I have been, since my last visit to the Philippines during the Holy Week break, expressing my views about the economy: I have been writing to newspapers to echo the frustrations of more and more Filipinos about the economy and poverty. And likewise, I have tried offering a different perspective given my background. Whatever ideas I offer are a product of my "on the ground experiences" and nothing else. (A few of them I had already shared in my earlier correspondence.) It seems that we cannot take our emotions out when we are dissecting poverty and our economy. I understand that given that people are poor and hungry. We are indeed a compassionate people and many of us are pursuing advocacies against abuse and poverty. (But I am not here to recite my own efforts towards this end). I'd rather talk about my on the ground experiences as the premise of my perspective. (I will not likewise recite my background suffice it to say that while I keep a home in the Philippines, I have lived outside the country for 20 years: in the U.S. and the last 6 years mostly in Eastern Europe; and that I have done business globally. That is, I have experienced how the right economic policies in a country have translated into a virtuous circle of investment and job creation, i.e., private businesses prosper and grow and GDPs accelerate. Similarly, living and working with ex-communists have taught me some about controlled economies, more than I imagined I could ever learn. Also, during 40 years of business, no one has invoked LaRouche, until two columnists in the Philippines talked about him in glowing terms, i.e., I am ignorant of this guy. Yet, I have acquaintances from the labor sector including professors in North America, Europe, Latin America and Africa; and that I had friends from the labor movement in the Philippines both practitioners and the academe.) While I have macro-level views I also have very micro views. For instance, my in-laws have a small parcel of land in central Philippines; as absentee landlords, they rely on farmers to make productive use of the land. The area is not conducive to rice farming but for two, now going three, generations these farmers have tilled the land with great challenges, irrigation being one of them. My in-laws every harvest season get their share which is a ratio of the total output. Most of the farmers are able to turn in my in-laws' share except for a couple of them. I accompanied my wife and daughter one time to meet with the farmers. While I did not participate, I could overhear that the couple who could not make good their commitments had only complaints to air while the rest talked about how they were able to send their children to school; and these educated kids taught their parents how to adopt more productive farming methods and were more prosperous. With that, let me share my thoughts specific to your article: What I see missing in the article is the acknowledgment that (or the fundamentals of) business and economics go in cycles. What we have witnessed since the Great Depression is exactly that, that is, after every downturn or once the economy approximates equilibrium we see an upturn. (Read attached article from Warren Buffett: Buy American. I am). We have likewise seen ups and downs in the world and local economies since 1971 or following and despite "the US unilateral withdrawal from the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1945". For instance, thirteen countries have grown their economies over a 25-year period at a fast clip of at least 7% annually. The bottom line is they were all open economies. (Read attached article from the Economist: Economic growth: the winning formula.) We should indeed as a first step as you stressed "acknowledge the gross errors that we made and muster the courage to correct the mistakes and implement the emergency measures needed to save as many Filipino lives as possible". (But I worry given how much emotion we have invested on the issue if we can in fact be dispassionate and objective): 1. We had great opportunities with the rebuilding efforts after the 2nd World War and were seen as poised to grow much faster than our neighbors but we blew it. 2. We relied on foreign debt (given our low GDP and low savings rate) that has now become an albatross instead of soliciting foreign investments like our neighbors did. (It may interest you to know that I just watched CNN and BBC and read the Economist and noted that countries like Slovakia, Poland, Croatia, Azerbaijan, South Korea, Malaysia, Japan and several from the Middle East (plus a few more countries that I miss) are all aggressively advertising investment opportunities in their respective countries. They know instinctively that economics is competition; and they have in their DNA the belief in capital formation and investment. They don't stop even on weekends to aggressively pursue foreign investment despite the implosion of the global financial system. Unfortunately I am not at liberty to share the investment projects across Eastern Europe that I have first-hand knowledge of. But I had recently communicated with a major investor in the Philippines to encourage them to step up their already aggressive investment portfolio.) Remember the farmers I talked about? The couple of them had the exact same chances as the rest but they blew it. And not unlike the Philippines, these farmers have debts they could not pay. In addition, they did not send their children to school, and could not make good on their commitments to their landlord, i.e., poverty perpetuated. Thank you. Romeo Encarnacion OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO To subscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Subscribe. To unsubscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Unsubscribe. |
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