The change that Duterte wants for our nation

Thirty years ago, the Filipino people fed up with the conjugal Marcos Dictatorship, rallied behind Mrs. Corazon C. Aquino, the widow of the murdered Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and the EDSA Revolt was born and became known as a peaceful People Power Revolt to change the leadership of a country without bloodshed. Because we didn’t like the 1973 Constitution that the Marcos Dictatorship had adopted, we changed it in favor of the 1987 Constitution crafted by 59 pro Cory men of probity. I was in favor of bringing back the 1935 Constitution, but unfortunately the people surrounding Pres. Aquino had other plans.

Fast forward 30 years later and where is the Philippines today? Of course, thanks to our 100 million plus population, we have developed our own internal market. Thanks to the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who bring $27 billion annually to our nation’s coffers. Then we have the 1.2 million workers employed in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry that has matched the earnings of the OFW sector. Indeed our young population has become a major producer in the Philippine economy.

However, the Philippines continue to lag behind in the political sector and in governance. Thirty years later, no less than Pres. Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte has urged Congress to amend the Constitution, proposing to limit the powers of key government officials, including the Chief Executive when it amends the Constitution. But I warn you, the folks who created the 1987 Constitution are hell-bent in making sure that no one would amend the Constitution named after Cory Aquino. This is why there are so many Yellowtards who are against the proposed federalism of Pres. Duterte.

Pres. Duterte clearly stated, “I am addressing myself to Congress. Let us amend the Constitution. Shorten or restrict the powers of everybody, including the presidency but make a Constitution that would mandate more accountability and responsibility of officials. If you can craft a law wherein I would also put my own inputs there and it would guarantee everybody or stop corruption, do not be afraid to amend the law. Just do it and do not be afraid. Do away with the presidency or give me a limitation that by the end of this year, you are considered out.” Finally, Pres. Duterte stated, “Maybe it’s a dream, but after that, and it’s a Constitution that will suit our way of life and correct the evil things there, I will tender my resignation.”

When Sir Max turned me into a journalist 30 years ago, I had two advocacies, my anti-communism and my pro-federalism. It is for this very reason why I didn’t like the 1987 Constitution, which my mentor, the late Sir Max Soliven also disliked… calling it “Kilometric.” No doubt the 1987 Constitution wasn’t a Constitution that was good for the Filipino people. It was good for the oligarchy that returned to the political scene with a vengeance and it allowed political dynasties to flourish after a 14-year absence during the reign of the Marcos dictatorship.

It is for this very reason why during the 2004 Presidential elections, I favored President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo because among the Presidentiables, she was the only candidate with a federalism platform. Alas, Pres. Arroyo failed to deliver a constitutional change during her term. This is also why I supported the presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte because of his federalist platform and that he overwhelmingly won his Presidency is proof that the Filipino people want change in our country.

In my book, the Philippine never had a President that wanted to usher changes in our way of life, like what Pres. Duterte wants for our country. A great example is his “No-smoking” policy. This is something that few nations are willing to experience. His anti-Drug campaign has stirred a hornets nest simply because so many drug pushers, addicts or drug lords have been killed. That was expected… except that the Yellowtards stretched or exaggerated the casualty figures to unbelievable levels, which even the clueless United Nations Human Rights Organization unfortunately believes.

But the Philippines wouldn’t have gone into this deadly ant-drug war if only the previous President gave a serious attention to this problem. Alas, it turns out that senior Police Officials close to the Palace were linked with the illegal drug trade. Let me say that our paradigm shift from a unitary form of government and into a Federal form of governance will not solve our problems of poverty, until we solve our problems with a Judiciary that needs a serious fixing and impose a law against political dynasties. In 1985, after the killing of Ninoy Aquino, we had a rallying cry, Justice for Aquino and Justice for All (JAJA). Alas speedy Justice continues to elude the Filipino 30-years even after the ratification of the 1987 Constitution. Just to remind you what Alphonse Karr once quipped, “The more things change, the more they say the same.” For our sake, we hope real change can come to our nation.

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