Wayne's Words

Junket with Junks

2009-07-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

I used to be an auditor, and if I were to audit GMA's travels abroad using public funds, I wouldn't be surprised at the amount involved. In her years of stay in the presidency, imagine how much she has spent on her foreign trips.

Of course, government officials justify GMA's globe trotting by saying that her travel expenses are more than offset by foreign investments that she rakes in out of her exaggerated "Management by Walking Around" policy. However, is there a non-government agency out there, perhaps the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, that has put such claim to test? I hope there is. I hope they do it fast.

In her recent trip to the US, GMA brought with her an ally in the person of Sen. Lito Lapid. When asked about his purpose in joining the trip, he replied that he wanted to meet President Obama. With so many tagalongs, how can he, with his questionable communication skills, make a dent in the 45-minute Arroyo-Obama meeting. Just meet and greet?! What a waste!

For the Sake of Manny, Power, and Gloria

2009-05-26T00:21:00.000-07:00

Many political analysts are saying that corruption will be a hot issue in the 2010 Presidential Elections. However, a keen observer of the Philippine politics will tell you that it has already started, and should rightly so.

The eradication or at least moderation of corruption is the single most important key towards the upliftment of the standard of living in our beloved country. In the face of sprouting malls, roads, and bridges, we must be reminded that they do not represent economic development but just economic growth.

Thus, even if the current administration is touting that our economy is growing, it doesn't mean anything as far as the improvement of the general standard of living is concerned. Why? Numbers also show that many are still unemployed or underemployed (that is, employed way below their level of competence); poverty still prevails; hunger still persists; sickness still predominates; and so forth.

Only when people are made aware of how corruption truly works can they effectively fight or offer solutions to it. In this regard, the continuing Senate investigation on Sen. Manny Villar for his alleged involvement in an aberrant road project will be of great help, although some want it done for wrong reasons, one of which is to dilute President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's own lingering corruption issues.

My only worry is that we may be so informed about it that we turn corrupt ourselves in our own pursuit of "Manny," Power, and Gloria, but I hope not as this will just keep us trapped in the culture of corruption that stays deeply entrenched in our country. In the end, who will suffer? It's like the old saying, "ang basurang itinapon mo, babalik din sa iyo." We need to realize that we deserve the kind of leadership and the kind of country that we have.

ABS-CBN Boto Mo I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula

2009-05-12T01:26:00.000-07:00

For both young blood and "high blood" Filipinos who are fed up with the way our country is run by traditional politics of guns, goons, and vainglory, the newly launched citizen journalism program of ABS-CBN titled "Boto Mo I-Patrol Mo: Ako ang Simula" serves as a highly interactive tool of civic education.

The television, like its traditional counterpart, won't be very effective if the viewers are very passive. This reminds me of the Chinese proverb that says, "what I hear, I forget; what I see, I remember; what I do, I understand."

By being involved in news gathering to safeguard the sanctity of votes, citizens can have greater impact in ensuring the success of next year's presidential elections.

Kudos to ABS-CBN for its innovative news programming effort.

Pacman: Undaunted by Another Possible Knockout in the Political Ring

2009-05-05T00:48:00.000-07:00

Without doubt, the recent victory of the boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao against Ricky Hatton of Great Britain has brought another honor to the country. In fact, the boxing world is contemplating on including him in the list of top 100 boxers of all time. That's really a huge honor!

As in Pacman's previous fights, the last one (billed as "The Battle of East and West") unified our country and decreased the level of criminality. However, because of the very short fight, which lasted only two rounds, I'm not very sure if I should be fully jubilant or disappointed.

If Pacquiao pushes through with his political ambition, what will become of him as an icon of Filipino unity? Does he really have to live up to the literal meaning of Pacquiao and take it all away both in boxing and politics?

Of course, as a freeman, he has the right to vote and be voted upon for a government office. That's the rule of law.

However, we need to understand that "principles are higher than rules" and that true patriotism (or totoong laban para sa bayan) means sacrificing for the good of the nation. Let's learn from our experience and vote based on issues, not on personality.

Out of Tune Cha-Cha

2009-04-21T23:49:00.000-07:00

It's barely a year before the 2010 elections, but Gloria's political choo-choo still wants to do the cha-cha.

As a former social science college instructor, an economist by training, and an entrepreneur by profession, I strongly agree that the present Philippine constitution has flaws that need to be reexamined and rectified if necessary.

At present, the state charter prohibits foreign ownership of land. But what's wrong with that if the intention is to attract more foreign direct investments as long as there is proper regulation? After all, foreign investors cannot smuggle our land into their respective countries.

Because of the restriction on foreign ownership of land and other unfavorable economic provisions of the constitution, some foreign investors would rather invest in securities, funds, or private equities, which could be more easily pulled out when the business climate is not very conducive. This would not be the case if more investors would be encouraged to put up more business firms and, consequently, provide more employment opportunities, through the lifting of certain legal impediments.

However, our honorable House Speaker Nograles must contend with the fact that 87.7% of Filipinos do not favor reforms to the Constitutional provision prohibiting foreign ownership of land. Also, 85.7% of our compatriots oppose any revisions allowing foreign ownership of utilities and natural resources extraction (even if we lack the means to do the extraction ourselves).

Since we are supposed to honor our democratic laws, including what the majority says (which may not always be correct), we should defer the debate on the revision or replacement of our constitution and focus instead on what we, especially the youth, can do to have clean, honest, and issue-based (not personality-driven) elections. Why, can't proponents of charter change wait for at least a year so as to erase all allegations that what they really want to defer is the elections to prolong their stay in power?

Perhaps we should start looking for a prospective president who will have the political will and a sense of self-sacrifice to spearhead the cha-cha train for not more than three years immediately after being sworn into office, and then abdicate the position and call for an election. Am I "dreaming"? You may call it that way, but I call it "visioning."

I call on everybody, however, not to pin all their hopes on the elections. We need to be actively engaged in public governance. We need not be in public office to be a potent instrument of change, but we can always have our voices heard, especially now that modern technology has opened more channels of communications that were previously not available or unheard of.

Certainly, we need to do the cha-cha, but we need to do it with the tune, not out of it.

Give Martial Law to the Martians!

2009-04-13T19:30:00.000-07:00

Imagine the Philippines with permanent news blackout. No freedom of speech. No legislative body. That would mean muzzling dissidents. What a relief from noisy critics! But can we call that peace? I don't think so. Suppressed freedom leads to pent-up anger that can erupt into violent uprisings and armed conflicts. It's a vicious cycle.

Unfortunately, that was the scenario during the martial law years of our country. No wonder that 70% of Filipinos are against declaration of martial law, despite the long-standing insurgency in the country and other widespread criminal acts.

However, freedom is a prized possession that must be nourished. "When two persons always agree, one of them is not necessary," so the saying goes. Conflict cannot be avoided, but it can be managed, and hopefully greater understanding will emerge when the smoke clears. Freedom must also be used with caution. It's best exercised without trampling on other people's rights.

If we really value our freedom, what are we doing to protect it? Do we treat it indifferently? Do we allow ourselves or the future generations to be victimized by corrupt government officials, unscrupulous businesspeople, etc.—by being silent? It's not a sin to give constructive criticisms. Why not be more aware of the issues confronting our country? Why not stand up, speak up, and take notice? It always pays to be globally minded but locally active. Let's give our country a chance.

And the Oscar Goes To ... Gordon Or Teodoro?

2009-04-06T01:39:00.000-07:00

Can somebody please tell Sen. Gordon and Sec. Teodoro to stop quarreling about who gets the limelight? We need to rescue the kidnap victims from the Abu Sayyaf Group ASAP! This is not the time for petty arguments and politicking. We are talking about people's lives who happen to be apolitical foreigners helping less fortunate Filipinos, especially in war-torn areas of the country.

Gordon and Teodoro are making the situation worse. Please stop them from washing their dirty linens in public. The people are sick and tired of it.

Because of their rift, I'm inclined to think that Gordon and Teodoro just want this crisis to move on and on so as to maximize their media mileage. Why, Sec. Teodoro? Is appearing on a primetime TV soap opera not enough? Probably you are so busy arranging for your TV exposures that Sen. Gordon is stealing the show from you, at least in the right venue.

Please, we want this crisis done and over with!

The High Cost of Ethnic Conflict

2009-04-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

The recent spate of kidnappings for the nth time by the Abu Sayyaf Group has brought to my mind a small island country off the coast of the African continent: Mauritius.

Like the Philippines, Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions, with population consisting of Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims, and Europeans. While this is a prime ingredient for political instability, ethnic conflict, and insurrection resulting in economic stagnation, would you believe that Mauritius doesn't have a standing army!

Like the Philippines, Mauritius was also under several colonial overlords for hundreds of years. They were under France and Great Britain. However, they were able to turn their colonial inheritance to their favor partially due to integration of minority communities in policy making through civic network.

If the Philippines is Asia's first republic (although for a short time), Mauritius is considered one of the African countries with the longest continuing history of democracy. To top it all, Mauritius is very prosperous.

Now, what can we learn from our Mauritian brothers and sisters?

The preamble to our constitution says that we are to "promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace." Yes, we are among the happiest people in the world; we are proud of that. In fact, we sometimes laugh for no apparent reason at all. And that too has favorable health values according to experts in health maintenance. But at the end of the day, is there food on the table, clothes on the back, a roof over the head, and health on the navel?

Election Fever Getting Hotter ... and Bloodier?

2009-03-27T18:29:00.000-07:00

Whether we like it or not, the election season has already set in, making Philippine politics even more alive with rumors, intrigues, character assassinations, and politicians jumping left and right into media-covered controversies. One "well-timed" issue is the resurrection of the Dacer-Corbito double-murder case.

While justice must be served, one cannot avoid doubting the real intention of the revival of the issue in light of the timing, the prosecutors, and the persons being implicated—with all the media hype. What is the government doing anyway with unresolved cases of murdered student leaders fighting for genuine social reforms? Unlike Dacer, they fought not mainly for personal gain but for the rights of underprivileged members of our society. Just asking.

Generation Gaps as Viewed by a New Blogger on the Block

2009-03-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

Because I was born between the years 1960 and 1980, I belong to the generation called by Zemke as the "Xers." Xers are considered feedback-hungry and flexible. They also have the tendency to veer away from very close supervision. They are also known as being clear about the meaning of balance in their lives. Of course, in the Philippines, they are also known as "Martial Law babies."

After the Xers, came the more techie "Nexters" of the 80's and beyond, who are more collaborative and doubtful over racial and sexual categorizations of the older generations. As such, Zemke says, they are a relief to any organization struggling with the conflict between Xers and "Boomers"—the very work- and control-oriented post-war babies born between 1943 and 1960.

I'm glad that with the Internet, especially through blogging at which I'm new, these generation gaps and even clashes of the social classes can be bridged and appeased. Or widened? What do you think?

Reference: Ron Zemke, "Generation Veneration," Business: The Ultimate Resource, 2nd ed. (Cambridge, MA: Basic Books, 2006), 39–40.