 |
 |
| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Family Business
By Antonio C. Abaya Written April 24, 2007 For the Standard Today, April 26 issue The coming midterm elections on May 14 will likely go down as the most ho-hum elections this country has ever had since the electoral zarzuelas staged by President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s and 1980s. Except for the candidates themselves and their retainers, it is hard to imagine anyone getting excited about its outcome. There does not seem to be any expectations that this coming election will result in any meaningful change, one way or another. And it is not only because it is just a midterm election. It is actually more than that. It can rightly be considered a referendum on Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Except that the political opposition has nothing to offer in place of her management style or her program of government. If May 14 is going to be a referendum on GMA, as I believe it will be, then Joseph Estrada is the imputed alternative. He was, after all, believed by many to have been the financier of the aborted EDSA Tres People Power of May 2001, the failed Oakwood Mutiny of July 2003, and the (also failed) Leftist-Rightist coup attempt in February 2006.. So May 14, 2007 would only be the latest chapter in this long-running confrontation-by-proxy. But Erap seems to be a spent force. If some of the GO or GAGO senatorial candidates appear to be doing well in the public opinion surveys, they are doing so in spite of Erap, not because of him. Erap has no contribution to make to the political discourse, nor does he have anything substantial to say on economic and social policies. So the May 14 elections fail to excite because the public has no expectations of it. The jaded electorate is resigned to the conclusion that, no matter which politicians emerge the winners, nothing will change in their daily lives, and nothing will change in our life as a nation. In the absence of an exciting and charismatic new leader with an infectious new vision, such as the emergence of a new Ramon Magsaysay of the1950s, we will have more of the same, before, during and after May 14. It is a depressing thought, but we have learned to live with many depressing thoughts in the past 30 years. It is part of our vaunted Freedom of Depress. One thing, however, promises to be the defining character of the 2007 midterm elections, and this is the phenomenal proliferation of Political Dynasties. The most shameless examples of dynasty-building in this election are the candidacies of Alan Peter Cayetano and Koko Pimentel for the Senate while Sister Pia and Papa Nene, respectively, are still serving out their senatorial terms. Koko Pimentel promised on television that if elected senator, the first bill he would file would be to ban political dynasties. Would he then immediately resign from the Senate? Why doesn�t he just run for the Lower House and save himself all that fancy footwork and illogical logic? What gall! But these are just the most visible cases of shamelessness in our political landscape. According to a list prepared by Roger and Danny Olivares, there are more political dynasties than meet the eye. Examples: In Makati City, incumbent mayor Jejomar Binay, who has served two terms (1986-1998 and 2001-2007) is seeking a third term, while his daughter Abigail is running for congresswoman of the 2nd district, and son Jejomar Erwin is seeking a second term as municipal councilor. Earlier, his wife Elenita was mayor of Makati from 1998-2001.Don�t be surprised if Abigail or Erwin runs for mayor in 2013. Maybe we should change the name of Makati to the Hereditary Kingdom of Binay. In Manila, Congressman Amado Bagatsing is seeking another term as congressman of the 5th district, while brother Dondon is seeking a second term as congressman of the 4th district, and Don, son of Dondon, is running for vice-mayor. Also in Manila , Ali Atienza, son of incumbent mayor Lito Atienza, wants to succeed his father in City Hall, while Miles Roces, listed as son-in-law of Lito Atiena is seeking a second term as congressman of the 3rd district. In Taguig, not only is Alan Peter Cayetano running for senator while sister Pia Cayetano-Sebastian is still in the Senate, his wife Laarni is running for congresswoman of Pateros/Taguig, while brother Renren, outgoing councilor, is running for vice-mayor of Muntinlupa City In Zambales, outgoing governor Vicente Magsaysay, cousin of Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., is running for senator, while his son Jesus Vicente wants to take his place as governor, and his daughter-in-law Ma. Milagros, now on her last year as congresswoman of the 1st district , is seeking a second term. In Agusan del Sur, Edelmiro Amante, having served two terms as congressman, is running for governor, while daughter Ma. Angelica Rosedell, who was governor in 2001-2001, is running for mayor of Butuan City , and son Erlpe John, the current governor, is running for congressman of Butuan City . In Batangas, Ralph Recto, having served two terms as congressman and one term as senator, is seeking a second term as senator, while his wife Rosevilma or Vilma Santos, in her last year as mayor of Lipa City, is running for governor, while brother Richard, outgoing vice-governor, is running for congressman of the 4th district. Also in Batangas, Executive Secretary Edurado Ermita�s daughter Elenita, who served one term as congresswoman of the 1st district, is seeking a second term, while son Edwin is running for vice-governor. In Bukidnon, outgoing congressman Nereus Acosta is running for governor, while his sister Malou wants to take his place as congresswoman, while his mother Socorro, outgoing mayor of Manolo Fortich town, is seeking a second term. Also in Bukidnon, while his father Jose Ma. Zubiri is serving out his last year as governor, Juan Miguel Zubiri, outgoing congressman, is running for the Senate, brother Jose Ma. II wants to take his place in Congress, and a cousin Ignacio, outgoing vice-mayor of Malybalay town, is seeking a second term. How come no Zubiri is running for governor to replace the patriarch? In Cagayan de Oro City, outgoing mayor Vicente Emano is sliding down to vice-mayor, while his brother Paulino runs for mayor of Tagoloan town and son (?) Bambi, outgoing mayor of Tagoloan, runsa for congressman of the 2nd district. In Caloocan City , outgoing congressman Luis Asistio is running for mayor against his own brother Macario, while Nadia Montenegro , wife of Macario, is running for congresswoman of the 1st district. The incumbent mayor, Enrico Echeverri is seeking a second term as mayor against the two Asistios, while his son Ricojudge Janvier is running for congressman. In Ilocos Sur, Eric Singson, having served two terms as congressman, is seeking a third term, while his son Luis �Chavit�, having served two terms as congressman and one term as governor, is running for the Senate. In the meantime, Jeremias, a brother of Luis, having served one term as provincial member, is running for vice-governor; son Ronald, having served as provincial board member, is running for congressman of the 1st district, a niece Eva Marie Singson-Medina, on her last year as mayor of Vigan, is seeking a second term; a sister, Gemelina Singson-Goulart, is running for mayor of Caoayan town; and a son, Eric,oin her last year as mayor of Candon town, is seeking a second term. In Iloilo, the incumbent governor Niel Tupas is seeking a second term, while a son, Niel Jr., currently a provincial board member, is running for congressman of the 5th district; another son Raul, currently mayor of Barotac Viejo town, is seeking a second term; a third son, Nielex, is running for councilor of Iloilo City; a nephew, Rolex Suplico, on her last year as congressman, is running for vice-governor, while his brother Enrique is running for congressman of the 5th district. In La Union, Manuel Ortega, former mayor of San Fernando (?), is running for governor, while his brother Victor, having served one term as congressman and one term as governor, is running for congressman of the 1st district, a son, Francisco III, is running for congressman, another son, Alfred , is running for councilor of San Fernando; a nephew Justito is running for vice-governor. A nephew, Francisco Ortega, is running for councilor in SF; a brother of Francisco, Pablo, is running for mayor of San Fernando; another brother, Roberto, is running for mayor of Baguio City; and assorted other cousins, nephews, nieces are running various other offices from councilor to vice-mayor. There is no more space here to mention the other dynasties, including the Arroyos of Negros Occidental and the Macapagals of Pampanga, the Aquinos and Cojuangcos of Tarlac, the Osmenas of Cebu, the Romualdos of Camiguin, the Remullas of Cavite, the Defensors of Iloilo, the Dys of Isabela, the Villars of Las Pinas, the Romualdezes of Leyte, the Lacsons of Negros Occidental, the Parases of Negros Oriental, etc. etc. You can secure your own copy of this list by accessing the website www.endpoliticaldynasty.com, or by contacting the Citizens Anti-Dynasty Movement at [email protected]. Roger and Danny Olivares are to be commended for their initiative and deserve our support. The ironic thing is that the extant 1987 Constitution expressly called/calls for the dismantling of political dynasties as inherently anti-democratic. But, not surprisingly, no enabling law has ever been passed by the several Congresses that have been elected and convened since then. The communists have always complained that we are victims of neo-colonialism, an outcrop of US imperialism. I would argue that we are instead the victims of neo-feudalism, a unique manifestation of Pinoy provincialism and good old-fashioned greed.. In classical feudalism, political power emanates from ownership of vast tracts of land. In neo-feudalism, political power emanates from control of public offices, which easily become windows for rent-seeking and the fastest route to fabulous wealth. Politics has become a family mega-business in this country, more lucrative than operating a commercial or industrial enterprise, more fulfilling than practicing a profession. Because by its very nature neo-feudalism is self-perpetuating and does not respond to democratic pressure (as has been evident since 1987), the only way to extirpate it may be through a revolutionary government. ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and www.acabaya.blogspot.com OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Family Business� More Reactions to � Wash SyCip Asks� More Reactions to �Resurrection� More Reactions to �New Persian Empire � Why Politicians Become Corrupt Hi Tony, A revolutionary government to get rid of the political dynasties may be the ideal form, but it is too radical. I�d rather have a cha-cha that would do away with the provision for an enabling law and that would change our system of government to parliamentary with a unicameral legislature. The less government offices to run for, the less family members will get elected. The legislators should not have pork barrels so there is one less material reason to aim for when one runs. We may also have to adopt the jury system to prevent corrupt judges from deciding a court case by themselves. There are a lot more reforms needed in our current government but the few I mentioned above could be a good start. Victor Sumagaysay, (by email), April 27, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hello Tony, As always, nice essay. The enabling law againts political dynasty will never prosper. The reasons are obvious. What I in my simple mind cannot understand is that why an enabling is needed in the first place? Is the constitution not clear enough? Clearly, the framers of the constitution did not expect the brazenness of the incoming lawmakers. Regards, Marvin Valido, (by email), April 27, 2007 MY REPLY. An enabling law is needed because the Constitution does not make the necessary definitions, nor does it contain details on how the law will be enforced, nor does it say what the penalties are for the inevitable violations. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Political dynasties are here to stay. Senator Tito Guingona tried to introduce an implementing law. As a matter of fact, I was in his staff and spoke on anti-dynasties in so many forum to this end. . As a fresh start, maybe Roger and Danny Olivarez could get the written commitment of all congressional candidates and their stands on political dynasties and pledge a sacred covenant that their first agenda is to see through an anti-dynasty bill within the first to the third degree relationship. An honest candidate with all the sincerity he can muster can commit in black and white to the pursuit of this provision in the constitution. This reflects our kind of blasphemy to our own basic law of the land. Vic del Ferro, Jr., (by email), April 27, 2007. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear. Mr. Abaya. Neo-feudalism? The Communists and Leftists used to call it Bureaucrat Capitalism as in " Ibagsak ang Imperyalismo, Piyudalismo at Burukrata Kapitalismo ." The was the chant in the early 70s. Any difference ? Sincerely, Auggie Surtida, (by email), Tigbauan, Iloilo , April 27, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww So, I wonder what these families talk about at the dinner table? Jojo Vicencio, (by email), April 27, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Unedited) Dear Tony, For me, as usual, nothing will change or improve Philippine Society after this election. That is just some kind of another zarsuela, drama and some kind of selfish business by the new or old trapo, realigning themselves for their political business by being rich and powerful for their personal motives, family and business friends. When shall our country change for improvement and progress? Regards, Tony Dalagan, (by email), Fairfax , Virginia , April 27, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony: Enjoyed this article.. Comment: what else is new? There are just more of them now.than in the past. I remember, the old joke: if you want to succeed, marry the boss' daughter. The Zobel the Ayalas, the Sorianos, all did that. Another name comes to mind, the La Tondena, the Carlos Palanca. (My mom-in-law is a relative).We did not call them "taipans" then we called them something else. I am sure they started out as "intsik bejo". The newer taipans...Sy,Gonkongwei, Tan, Yuchenco...... I have a question for you. Can the overseas workers be mobilized for the struggle?. Maximo Fabella, (by email), Florida , April 28, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, The title to this article is the key to understanding political dynasties in the Philippines . Filipino families have members looking after each other. When one becomes successful in an enterprise, everyone benefits from the success, and as many as can fit into the scheme are enlisted to propagate the business. Political dynasties are not prevalent in countries whose culture encourages independent means of livelihood for each member, so that a doctor's son can be a carpenter, poet or criminal, while a criminal's son can be a school teacher, priest or politician. In the Philippines dynasties are found in professional practice as well, so that a doctor's sons and daughters are likely to be in the medical profession, and street vendors' children are likely to become street hawkers themselves. The clannishness of Filipino families serve to promote a mono-professional culture because family members tend to be attached to (hence influenced by) the largesse dispensed by the business of the family's patriarch (or matriarch). Charlie Borromeo, (by email), April 28, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I remember many years ago, consciously making the decision to leave the Philippines, feeling suffocated by the restrictive social and nepotistic ties - how tragic that politicians' continued greed and lust for power has kept the Philippines tribal without any sense of nationhood. Or maybe it's just plain ignorance about the larger picture. Cayo Marschner, (by email), Moraga , California , April 28, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Unedited) Thanks Tony, Did the mid term elections in the US not change the balance of power from Republican George W. Bush to the Democrats? I for one would be gratified to see the reversal of the unconstitutional removal of President Joseph Estrada from MalacaNang. Justice delayed is justice denied. six years have gone by and the Sandiganbayan has sill not come out with its verdict of guilty or not guilty/innocent. That is what the law and justice is all about. (The trial was finished about one month ago. The judgment is supposed to be reached in three months. ACA) I see that some of the alldged elite still believe they are superior to Juan de la Cruz, in thought, word, deed or action. Something like the French revolution would bring reality to their distorted way of thinking. Ones hang up's about sqeualing masas and/or trapos does not in any way change political reality, or lifeitself. Jaime Calero, (by email), Sydney , Australia , April 28, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Absolutely right, we are the victims of neo-feudalism, a unique manifestation of Pinoy provincialism and good old-fashioned greed. BUT, It�s my bet that "the only way to extirpate it may be through a revolutionary government" will only introduce a new set of families, and maybe even some that are not so new (look at the "revolutionary" Binays for example). Moving strongly for better education would be a much better tactic, and surprise!, its LEGAL! And it�s a nice side benefit that a push towards better public education will not result in an economic meltdown. Peter Capotosto, (by email), April 28, 2007 MY REPLY. Revolutionary governments become legal when they succeed and draft and promulgate a new constitution. Examples: the American revolutionary government of 1776, the Aquino revolutionary government of 1986. Agreed that better education is desirable. But how many decades do you think will it take to happen here? Keep in mind that the 1987 Constitution called for the dismantling of political dynasties. That was two decades ago and nothing has been done during all hat time. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Part of the problem is that we have not quite transcended the mentality of our indigenous, prehispanic datus. According to Antonio Morga in the 1600s, the barangay revolved around a leading powerful family. Leadership was passed by the father to his son. Contrary to what some nationalists claim, there was no democracy involved. Is this neo-feudalism? The term is misleading. It's plain and simple FAMILISM. The same dynastic pattern is at work even in our labor organizations (whether Left or Right) who should supposedly be more enlightened. Fathers pass on their positions to their sons and bring in their relatives to positions of power. Apparently this is also at work in the universities. A colleague tells me of a famous university in the Visayas that used to be run by the Americans. After they left, nepotism began to be practiced when filling up the posts. Hence its decline. Regards, Fernando Zialcita, (by email), April 28, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: The coming May 14 midterm elections will witness the further proliferation of political dynasties. As we all know, politics is a very lucrative business. And not only that: politics means power. Political power, in turn, easily translates into wealth--usually through corruption. One feeds on the other. It is thus obvious why political dynasties proliferate. Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers , NY , April 28, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Unedited) Hi Tony: Thanks for your well-researched article on political dynasties.(I did not do the research. Roger and Danny Olivares did. ACA) I think this elections would be a signal for Joseph Estrade to be catapulted back to the Presidency. Being elected President is the only way for his cases in court for plunder will be dropped. With Estrada back into the Presidency, the rebel groups will be forced to shame. (Forced to shame? When Estrada was president, from July 1998 to January 2001, no rebel group was �forced to shame.� ACA) The rebel groups have been able only to launched a protracted rebellion in the country only because the politicians are divided on what to do with them.During the time of Marcos, the response of the Nationalista Party and the Kilusan Bagong Lipunan was merely to apply the law against them. If they were caught in military confrontation with the government, they were incarcerated. Marcos wanted to give all rebel groups an amnesty but only on condition that the rebel groups ceased their rebellion. However, the opposition Liberal Party disagreed with that approach. They were concerned with possible human rights abuses should the government take a high handed approach to the rebels in the country. They wanted more negotiations directly with the rebel groups. The difference between the approach of the Nationalista and Liberal Party on what the reaction of the government should be can be seen from the reaction of the Liberal Party to the Plaza Miranda bombing that shocked the nation. The Nationalista Party squarely blamed the NPAs as the culprit behind the Plaza Miranda bombing. Although the victims of the Plaza Miranda bombing were all senatorial candidates of the Liberal Party, the Liberal Party adamantly refused to concede that the NPAs were involved in the Plaza Miranda bombing. They instead accused Marcos of being the culprit in the Plaza Miranda bombing. This also can be seen in the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. The Nationalista Party squarely blamed the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. on the NPA hitman Rolando Galman. Although Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was a leading Liberal Party spokesman, the Liberal Party refused to agree with the conclusions of the government fact-finding group accusing the NPAs of personally liquidating Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. They accused instead Marcos of being the mastermind behind the liquidation of their leading spokesman. Since the coming into power of the People's Power government, which was a coalition between the former members of the Liberal Party, the Socialist Party of the Philippines (known as "Partido Democratico ng Pilipinas") and supposedly the National Democratic Front (the political arm of the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines), this government reversed the policy of President Marcos of keeping captured rebel leaders indefinitely in jail until the rebellion ceased. Then President Aquino ordered the released of thousands of captured rebels, including Bernabe Buscayno (known as Commander Dante) and renegrade Lt. Victor Corpus Jr.. Lt. Victor Corpus Jr. was given back his post in the army and is now a colonel in the Philippine Army. (The National Democratic Front of the CPP was never part of the People Power government of Cory Aquino. Victor Corpus was made brigadier general about two years ago, and was retired from the military shortly thereafter. ACA) From 1986 to the present, the People's Power government has fruitlessly negotiated a settlement between the government and the rebels. (The People Power government was in office only up to June 30, 1992. ACA) For 21 years, the NPAs refused to lay down their arms and ceased their rebellion. Although the government succeeded in pacifying some elements of the Muslim rebel group MNLF, the MNLF split to between the MNLF and the MILF. The MNLF made a short term peace agreement with the government, but the MILF continued to rebel against the government. Because of the agreement between the MNLF and the government, Nur Misuari was elected as ARMM Governor. However, with the change of the governorship of the ARMM, Nur Misuari went back to the hills to fight the government. The only way it appears to show those rebel groups that the politicians are united in this country is to have Estrada assume the Presidency again. The government has been lenient with the rebel groups only because the Liberal Party openly disagreed with the policy of law and order against the rebel groups which was the response of the Nationalista Party under President Marcos. The Liberal Party wanted an accommodation with the rebel groups. With the assumption of Estrada back into the Presidency, this policy of the People's Power government of being "Mr. Nice Guy" to the rebels will soon come into an end. Unlike before when the Liberal Party refused to support the policy of the Nationalista Party of giving the rebels a "hard fisted" reaction, both the Liberal Party and the Nationalista Party will back whatever the decision of any elected President will do to deal with the rebels. Nowadays, President Arroyo is instituting the policy of having the NPAs extra-judicially executed but there is no protest from any leading politician about this. Very truly yours, Ramon A. del Gallego, (by email), April 28, 2007 MY REPLY. Where have you been all these years/ The Liberal Party and the Nacionalista (not Nationalista) Party have been playing progressively minor roles ever since President Marcos dismantled the two-party system and set up his own Kilusan ng Bagong Lipunan in the 1970s. Each president since has formed his/her own party without trying to revive the LP-NP cadavers. Cory Aquino had her PDP-Laban, Ramos his Lakas-NUCD, Erap his Partido ng Masang Pilipino, Gloria Arroyo her KAMPI, which she aims to make the biggest party this year, in preparation for her drive to remain in power beyond 2010 as prime minister. Incidentally, the article you are reacting to was about political dynasties, but your lengthy reaction was about something else. Please confine your comments to the issue being discussed. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya: I do agree, politics is a family business. It's a family concern that gets passed on from one generation to another. In a country where business and politics are so closely intertwined, politics makes a great business. And let's not kid ourselves about families in the "opposition" like the Cayetanos, the Escuderos, the Pimentels, the Antoninos, the Aquinos or the Estradas. Some gullible fools hope against hope that the scions of these families will provide a fresh new outlook to Philippine politics. These political progeny are only trying to perpetuate themselves, albeit using different strategies. Some stay with the Administration while others go with the opposition. But in the end, they will be true only to themselves and their families. And behind all the political wrangling, they will divide the spoils only among themselves, their families and their supporters. We once thought that getting rid of Marcos would usher in a new order. The Cojuangcos, the Aquinos, the Lopezes and all the other political pariahs of the Marcos era only turned out to be just as predatory and ravenous as Marcos and his henchmen. And, in the end, the Marcoses and their henchmen were absorbed into the new order after some negotiations and quid pro quos. Honor among thieves? Or predatory animals looking after their own kind? Unfortunately, it has become very difficult to grow businesses without some sort of government intervention. Infrastructures, franchises, tax incentives, permits and the like need government approval. And, on top of that, government can use red tape, legal technicalities, withdrawal of permits and incentives, or even repeal legislation, in order to coerce or intimidate businesses. So big businessmen like Manny Pangilinan, Danding Cojuangco, Lucio Tan, and even the Zobels have to play the political game. Whether they like it or not. The incestuous relationship between business and politics is undefined and unrestricted. We, indeed, live in a neo-feudalistic society. Instead of land, political clout is now the most valuable asset. And, like an asset, it is to be fiercely protected and developed within the family because it is its source of wealth, status and way of life. So we go on with this endless zarzuela. It has been going on for a long, long time. It has defied, for many decades, dire predictions of our country living within a social volcano. How long will it continue? Are we capable of change to head off a social conflagration or "a revolutionary government"? In the meantime, the travesty of bread and circus goes on. And the masses just seem to be lapping it up. Sincerely, Juan Deiparine, (by email), Toril, Davao City , April 29, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Well, even the Clintons and the Bushes in the US of A are also at it. Thanks a lot and best regards, Bong L. Alaba (by email), April 30, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww There is also another aspect to the issue of "political dynasties". Here in Leyte, in particular Tacloban City , the two big political families - the Romualdezes and the Petillas - have made a pact not to field candidates from their respective clans to run against one another. I don't know what it is like in other provinces and cities. I find this "agreement" between the two families outrageous. Apparently, they feel that they have the privilege of deciding gets to occupy elective positions in the province. More frustrating is the fact that they have the money and the machinery to make the strategy work. In addition, according to Congresswoman Petilla, this agreement was forged with the help of PGMA based on the principle of "equity of the incumbent". Jeez! Patrick de los Reyes, (by email), Tacloban City , April 30, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I believe that will be other ways in which we could develop a political system that would suffice our dear nation. No nation on earth is perfect nonetheless ours. So it will be entirely wrong to think we can do such a great task. For me, it is better that we concentrate on the very foundations of democracy and freedom � it�s people. There would be many reasons why such dynasties still exist. It�s not only because we have a faulty system but because these dynasties act like little kingdoms and brings the necessary desires of the people to them. What I propose is more civic involvement in bringing growth and prosperity to towns, villages, and even cities and destroy just fiefdoms. The people elects these people hoping that they will receive the same treatment or better but alas their hopes are pinned and they become disillusioned by their dreams. We, as concerned citizens, must work out on a way that the people (both the squatters, farmers, and those below the poverty line) feel the presence of what democracy is truly is. To that extent, the economic gains brought about by the rise of entrepreneurs, businesses, and investments must be felt by these people and let them basked in the prosperity we now enjoy. We must concentrate our foundations, non-government organizations, and non-profit organizations to bring these economic gains to our lesser brothers. We must build schools, build roads & bridges, build hospitals, build small marketplaces, and most of all, we must bridge the gap between the peoples in our fair country. I don�t believe in violence or revolutions. Our country has seen too much of such atrocities. We need to show the people love, faith and hope. I am no priest nor a seminarian. But, I believe that what our Lord Jesus Christ taught us must be felt and seen by our lesser brothers. For we who are educated has the power and responsibility to bring harmony and justice back to our nation. Evil will only prevail when good men don�t act. Jehrameel Fandrall B. Chen, (by email), May 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr. Abaya, I am one among your lucky "Undisclosed Recipients" and would like to pitch in on this advocacy to shame-campaign ( sana mayroon sila noon and di futile ito !) to expose and oppose this virus that has persisted existing and even growing 20 years after the Constitution declared political dynasties undemocratic. And corruption-encouraging also. I can have access to the 45+ million voters database (which, pls note, has today at least 1.33% multiple registrants and at worst a 7.5% bloat) and a digital file of all candidates (local and national) running in this upcoming elections. We can build a family tree for each of these family businesses and post them all over so the public can see how shamelessly pervasive this virus is. Maybe this damning evidence will finally goad our lawmakers to pls naman make that law na ! (Can we have a citizen-initiated law instead ?) We can even award different sizes of kalabasas (or something more pungently descriptive of this prevailing thickfacedness) proportionate to the size and life (# of generations) of the political family trees. This will fittingly address one of two of your identified basic issues this elections to which I agree. Tama na ang mga GAGO at TUTA ! Sobra na ! What do you say ? More power and best regards ! Ernie del Rosario, (by email), Cainta, Rizal, May 06, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Why politicians become corrupt THE irrepressible Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago came out with the reason for the mad rush for Senate seats, making them throw away millions, or rather hundreds of millions of pesos, just to be elected. People have always wondered: How in the world can anybody spend hundreds of millions of pesos for a position that yields only a monthly salary of P35,000. Indeed, there must be something about a Senate seat. Is it really just public service, or is there something more? Consider this: The spending limit for a senatorial candidate is P225 million, or P5 per registered voter. And there are more than 45 million registered voters. Read this: Apart from the monthly P35,000 salary for a senator, there is a fixed monthly budget of P1.7 million for office and staff expenses, and an additional P760,000 in foreign travel and additional perks. Listen to this: Some senators hardly travel abroad. When they do, they do not only use the travel budget. They ask for more, even pocket money. And they bring their spouses and children, secretaries and girlfriends, doctors or even yayas. And how�s this? Each senator gets P793,000 a month for staff salaries and another P998,000 for office expenses such as rentals, utilities, supplies and domestic travel. If a senator is a committee chairman, he or she gets a similar budget of what she gets as a regular senator. And there is no rule requiring senators to return the money that has not been used. This means they have the option of pocketing the excess cash. Do we wonder then why people are just so eager to be senators? It beats winning a casino jackpot or winning a lottery�it�s all tax-free. Now read this and weep: Above all the things I just mentioned, a senator is given P200 million out of the P1.71 billion Senate budget under the General Appropriations Act. Santiago speaks of 10 percent kickback from public works contractor to be given awards for infrastructure and from other awarded contracts for livelihood projects, social services, like health and education. Miriam is being conservative. The usual kickback given goes as high as 30 to 40 percent for contracts pinpointed by members of Congress. Do you understand now why everybody wants to be a lawmaker? And why candidates will do everything, including spending money as though it were going out of style, just to get elected? Doleouts to favored people are also unaudited. They are running for public service because their hearts bleed for the poor and needy? Aw, come on, don�t give me that BS. They run because there�s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, all at the expense of the Filipino people. We come to the issue of politicians� tendency to be corrupt. Now I talk of those running for local positions, like mayors, governors and congressmen. Visit these politicians early in the morning, and you see hundreds of people lining up, waiting for the official to wake up so that they can ask him for doleouts. Money with which to travel to Manila , to treat a sick son or wife, to send a son or daughter to school, to cover burial expenses, to furnish the basketball team with uniforms, and so on. Santa Banana, the needs of the people are endless. They all expect a congressman, governor or mayor to solve all their problems. And where do you think these politicians will get all the money asked from them? From overpriced government contracts, from kickbacks, from the P70-million pork barrel of members of Congress, from overpriced school supplies that a congressman or a governor awards for public school and from payrolls of ghost employees. And from so many other scams nationwide. There�s a Metro Manila mayor, for instance, who has hundreds, if not thousands in his �15-30� payroll, who collect them only on the 15th and 30th of every month, but whose mission is for each of them to take care of every 50 families in their barangays. Neat, huh? No wonder he�s always re-elected. I say that if politicians become corrupt, blame the people who expect them to dole out patronage to them. It�s a symbiotic thing�the people seeking doleouts and the politicians expecting their support when election time comes. And that comes every three years. That�s why I say that we expect the kind of public officials we elect�public officials who are not only hypocrites who cry out to high heavens that they only want to serve, but are in fact corrupt. Rhea Rith B. Cajutol Sales Engineer Mobile# +639272725260 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reaction to � Wash SyCip Asks� (March 06, 2007) I am not sure how I got on your list but I am glad I am. I have been to the Philippines about 60-80 times over the last 30 years and was considered one of "Alex's (Melchor) Boys" for years. I learned a lot but was, in the end, deeply disappointed by what I saw (some from inside, some outside) in terms of the evolution of Philippine society, economy and political system. I like your work. Here are two of mine that make more than a passing reference to the Philippines that you might find interesting. Peter Schaefer, (by email), Washington , DC , April 17, 2007 http://www.amazon.com/Active-Service-Peace-War/dp/0374976279/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/102-7430199-5734513?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176750140&sr=1-3 http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=021306D wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to �Resurrection� (April 08, 2007) Hi Tony! Just to let you know I enjoy reading the reactions of your readers and, particularly, very much on the �Resurrection� in this email. Thank you! I have to get a �davide� version of �The Seventh Seal�. My daughter told me that I might just be lucky as the Muslims at �The Ruins� in Phase 1 here in BF Paranaque might just have it. Assalamu alaikum! Best regards, Ed J. T.Tirona, (by email), BF Homes, Paranaque.pril 19, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Beautiful, touching piece. I still have to clear my BA Visa before I can order from amazon.com, Now, how can I find your Muslin suki please? Pura Flor Isleta, (by email), April 22, 2007 (My Muslim suki got raided by Edu Manzano the other week. I don�t know if he is still in business. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reaction to �New Persian Empire � (April 02, 2007) Hi Antonio, I appreciate your observations on the clash of civilizations (namely Greece and Persia ) and how we can draw parallels to the modern situation. Actually, Persia 's conflict with the West, for control of the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East generally, also played out in the wars between Rome , and then Byzantine with the Neo-Persian Empires of the Arscacids and Sassanians. That constitutes the longest war between any two states. Whatever regime emerges in Tehran , Iran 's and the West's interest will inevitably clash if both seek to control areas and resources to the detriment of the other. Regards Joseph Bozorgmehr, (by email), April 24, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Sir: Here's an article relevant to: Family Business, by Antonio C. Abaya WHERE DO YOU BELONG? The Filipinos of today, wherever they may be, belong to these political spectrum: 1) The Sige lang... 2) The Walang Paki??? 3) The Tama na!!! I- "THE SIGE LANG.." A- The first group are those; who at all cost shall do anything and everything to preserve the status quo. With rampant graft and corruption in all levels of government, they never had it sooooo good! 1) The Oligarchy: the modern day illustrados, more often than not also controls the political landscape in their respective fiefdom. It is common knowledge that these few big landlords circumvented the laws at the expense of the many poor farmers; deprived of their land, life and dignity due to legal maneuvers, just so these vultures of society could expand their "Emperium Negosiurum". 2) The Nouveau Riche: Mostly high ranking government officials who provided for their future during the heydays of martial law and the present day smart (illegal) operators with right connect. See their big businesses and palatial homes, yes with an "s" in exclusive enclaves around the country, even abroad. 3) The Political Dynasties: The "Pseudo Royalties". The father is "King Congressman", the mother "Queen Governor", the son "Prince Mayor" the sons wife, "Princess Board Member" the other son "Duke Councilor" etc., etc. etc. and their constituents pobresitos and pobresitas. 4) The Traditional Politicians: These "trapos" believe in the dictum "sometimes you win; sometimes you loss". Behind the political cloud the sun also rises. The political merry-go-round spins like the windmill of their mind never ending, no beginning. But the perpetual poverty of their constituents remain. It is regretable, indeed, that even idealistic officers of the law, those who have steadfastly avoided the "ogres" that had swallowed Filipino society; sometimes had no choice but to follow the whims and caprices of the afore-mentioned group against the "taong bayan" because of their sworn duties. While those brute "Moonlighters" always serve their masters blindly. B- The second group are what we call: the "Innocent Bystanders" These people are still hoping against hope for a miracle of a clean, honest and orderly election to come. POR DIOS POR SANTOS !! ANO BA KAYO! With the present maladies that afflicts our nation, the systematic vote buying at iba pa! When will you realize its futility? That's what we call "Suntok sa buwan, jab sa langit" or in latingo lingo (latin-ilonggo), "Asalom Tubolum". II- "THE WALANG PAKI??" This group, I hope does not comprise the majority of our "kababayan" who see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. They are comfortably contented, mindless of the apathy and injustice around them and prefer to play stupidly safe. Bahala na! Their favorite song "Que sera, sera" Whatever will be will be. The truth of the matter they are the cowards of the country. The hotest spot in hell is reserve for this kind of people with no conviction. III- "THE TAMA NA!!!" A- The first group comprises the young and the young once from all sectors of Filipino society including advantaged Filipino expatriates with patriotic fervor, who silently shed their blood, sweat and tears to keep Philippine economy afloat. This group are feed-up and wanted a change by whatever means as long as for the betterment of the Filipino People. B- The second group are the armed elements in the Philippines : 1) The Military Reformist: While some who have tasted power during the martial law era wanted "the return of the comeback!" sabi da..to sing "Happy days are here again" there are still others who are seriously taking things with noble purpose. If we could blend the vim, vigor and vitality of these idealistic young officers in active duty with the experience and wisdom of likewise, idealistic retired officers who had tried hard but nonetheless failed to cure the "Cancer of Filipino Society" what a relief it would be. 2) The NDF-CPP-NPA: The seemingly never ending struggle for national democracy of our brothers from the left shall only be supported by majority of their kababayans if and when they abruptly renownce the 'Godless Foreign Ideology", that is gradually fading in the global scene. In short: NDF, maybe! - NPA, maybe! - but CPP, a "BIG NO!!" NEVER! The question: why wage war with the lowly soldiers and policemen just doing their duties?? Why not with the "ogres" themselves?? I wonder why? I really wonder why?.. Instead of fighting each other, since they share common objective: to defeat the "ogres" and reform society, why not do your patriotic duty and offer these few "Incorrigibles" in the altar of righteousness. It would be hypocritical to say you do not know these people, as we're sure you do. To sacrifice simultaneously 5 or 10 in every Region is relatively very low compared to the millions of Filipinos who shall be benefited. And more importantly, the impact to discipline the whole Filipino Nation. Yes! mga kababayan "Discipline is the name of the game" and very soon! ... or forever perish as a people. Where do you belong? Dinggol A. Divinagracia, (by email), May 01, 2007 (Ilonggo Nation Movement) OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |