This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 22, July 10-16, 2005
Patriots Calls for New Governance that Will Uphold People's Agenda
Posted by Bulatlat
While the people wallow in
poverty, public funds were stolen through widespread graft and corruption;
Prices of commodities and
transport fares run roughshod on the interests of consumers. Taxes were
raised, the VAT was further expanded. Electricity and water rates as well as
oil prices rose yet again for the umpteenth time. Unemployment and
underemployment prevails;
Workers receive very meager
salaries way below the standards to live decently. Majority of our people lack
basic services like health, housing and education. Massive landlessness and
land monopoly of the elite remain as the cry of farmers for genuine agrarian
reform continues to fall on deaf ears;
Militarism and terror reign
with the government's full support to the
US war of terror. Human rights violations are
rampant and there is a record-high killing of journalists and activists
including priests, pastors and lawyers;
With the government's
promotion of large-scale mining, the people and environment suffer disasters
as the country's resources are plundered by big foreign and local business;
Our people are in a state of
diaspora as thousands leave the country everyday to look for a better life. The people
must unite to stop this state of affairs. While we join the Bishops' call for
prayers, history has taught us that People Power is necessary to topple tyrants
and make an unwanted leader to step down. We therefore enjoin Filipinos to make
history on the side of truth, justice and meaningful change by strengthening the
calls for immediate resignation of GMA. Concretely,
the transition council will consist of representatives of the basic sectors of
workers and peasants, the opposition, church, academe, professionals and retired
military and police officers who uphold civilian supremacy and enjoy the
confidence of the active military and police forces. This process will pave the
way for the creation of a new form of government e.g. through a constitutional
convention, and the election of a new administration that would be more
representative of and accountable to the people and thus more responsive to the
people's interests. a)
Ensure immediate economic relief by implementing a rollback in the prices of
basic commodities such as rice, power (suspend PPA), water and oil. Immediately
review pertinent laws and regulations affecting the prices of basic commodities
such as EPIRA, water privatization, EVAT, etc. Enact laws that ensure just wages
and job security for workers as opposed to low wages and labor
contractualization. Prioritize genuine land reform for farmers and give the
highest priority in government programs, policies and budget for the benefit of
our long neglected farmers and workers. Stop privatization and ensure that vital
industries are placed in the capable hands of Filipino entrepreneurs instead of
multi-national corporations. b)
Reallocate current and succeeding budgets to significantly increase health,
education, housing, and other social services, based on internationally accepted
benchmarks such as 5% of GNP for health (WHO), 6% of GNP for education (UNESCO).
Freeze tuition fee hikes, review the overall policy to support the whole
education system, and ensure access to quality education for all. c)
Immediately initiate rational debt management program, starting with a debt and
fiscal policy review that includes the cancellation of the onerous debts, repeal
of Presidential Decree 1177 on automatic debt payment allocation and
renegotiation of outstanding debts. Establish
an independent anti-corruption task force as a watchdog/oversight body composed
mainly of civil society representatives. Enact genuine anti-corruption laws to
ensure swift prosecution of all corruption cases such as the PIATCO deal
involving GMA, coco levy involving Danding Cojuangco, AMARI ITAL THAI AMARI case
involving former President Ramos, the Jose Velarde and Jose Pidal issues etc. a)
Uphold justice, peace and human rights as the government's foremost policy of
governance. Respect the right to self-determination of the Bangsa-Moro People
and all indigenous peoples. Withdraw government troops in heavily militarized
areas, dismantle CAFGUs, release all political prisoners, resolve pending human
rights issues and indemnify victims of grave human rights abuses by the Marcos
government up to the present. Guarantee the people's rights regardless of creed,
belief, and gender to effectively redress their grievances. b)
Institutionalize a policy of social reforms, justice and peace based on genuine
national reconciliation and unity. Work for the de-listing of CPP-NPA in the
Foreign Terrorist Organizations list to further ensure the peace negotiations,
seriously implement the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and
International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) and successfully conclude peace
agreements with the National Democratic Front and with the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front. Uphold
constitutional provisions for national sovereignty and patrimony through foreign
policies based on neutrality and non-intervention. Immediately stop the US-RP
Balikatan military exercises. Implement relief measures to tariff and non-tariff
prescriptions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and initiate review of
Philippine commitments to WTO especially those related to agriculture that
aggravate the landlessness and poverty of the peasant majority. (Patriots:
A Movement for Peace, Justice and Good Governance © 2004 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
As calls mount for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's
resignation, PATRIOTS enjoins all Filipinos to unite for meaningful alternatives
to her government. We join the people's clamor for GMA to step down for she has
totally lost the moral and legal authority to effectively govern. In a post-GMA
situation either through constitutional succession or transition council, we
demand meaningful socio-economic and political reforms that will positively
change the quality of life of our people. We definitely say NO to military junta
just as we say NO to federalism, NO to parliamentary form of government, NO to
Charter Change and all other designs that will not substantially change the
present state where elite interests rule while the poor are left economically
dispossessed and politically disempowered. The Gloriagate, jueteng gate and
other corruption scandals of the Arroyos certainly aggravated the discontentment
and disillusionment of our people considering the state of the nation under GMA:
Alternatives to GMA
If GMA steps down, Vice President Noli de Castro will most
probably succeed her as provided by the constitution. It is the moral duty of de
Castro to heed the long-running demands of the people for urgent reforms if he
does not wish to face massive social discontent and uprising as well.
Considering the state of the nation, it is imperative that the new government
after GMA must be ready to implement meaningful reforms that will benefit
majority of poor Filipinos.
GMA's defenders warn the public against resorting to any
"unconstitutional" means of unseating the ruling regime. They equate
"unconstitutional" to anarchy, chaos and violence as though the current turmoil
has not been caused both by constitutional and blatantly unconstitutional
anomalies perpetrated by those in power. In fact, the EDSA1 and two uprisings
were extra-constitutional undertakings. Cory Aquino declared her new government
a "revolutionary" one and decreed an interim "Freedom Constitution." On the
other hand, GMA insisted that her ascendance to the presidency was due to
constitutional succession after the extra-constitutional ouster of Estrada.
Some people are prepared to accept GMA's call for forgiveness
without justice fear that de Castro is not a competent successor and that the
situation will be more uncertain if GMA resigns. On the other hand, the idea of
a "transition council" after GMA's ouster is seriously considered as a more
viable alternative other than the constitutional process. This transition
government must necessarily be composed mainly of representatives of those
groups that had worked the hardest for the ouster of the current regime.
The People's Agenda
After GMA, we reiterate that the People's Agenda must be the
basis for a program of government including:
1. Social Justice and Economic Reforms
2. Righteousness, Transparency and Accountability
3. Justice and Peace
4. National Sovereignty
PATRIOTS affirms that the ouster of GMA is not enough especially
if such a change will only install a regime that is just as corrupt,
undemocratic, and subservient to foreign and elite interests. We reiterate our
rejection of proposals for federalism, Charter Change, military junta and all
schemes that will benefit the old and new elite. We challenge GMA's immediate
replacement to seriously uphold the people's aspirations by making the agenda of
the poor majority, the cornerstone of good governance, national unity and
lasting peace in our country.
email:
patriots_christians@yahoo.com; telephone numbers: 4123174/9242511)