Wrapped in the flag
August 28, 2008 by mlq3
Filed under Daily Dose
But it seems to me questionable whether any government has the right to demand loyalty from its citizens beyond its willingness or ability to render actual protection.
-Quezon To MacArthur, January 28, 1942
For once, I agree absolutely with Bong Montesa: never play the game of chicken. If this recent Inquirer editorial pointed out the administration has so botched up the peace process and is zigzagging so clumsily today, as to make the restoration of peace so much more difficult, the subsequent Inquirer editorial,suggests the MILF finds itself in a bind, because of the hostilities that have erupted and for which it took credit. Pointing to August 22 news item MILF Chair Al Haj Murad raise points in meeting IMT and the from Luawaran.com, the editorial suggested that the MILF (or the faction of its leadership that wanted to achieve its political aims through negotiations) was trying to invoke the assistance of its Malaysian sponsors. See -MILF asks Malaysia to convene peace panel – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
Davao City councilor Peter Lavina in his bog, suggests that the Malaysian government officially speaking, is supportive. But the political reality in Malaysia is that the government is in its own version of survival mode. Lip service and a little diplomatic nudging here and there is all very good, but in determining the cost-effectiveness of using a nation’s resources (diplomacy, economics, military, etc.) there is little going for Malaysia if it publicly supports armed rebellion on the part of the MILF.
Militarily, even, the dilemma is there. If you assume, as some do, that the MILF possesses SAM’s in its inventory, it cannot use them now, or even later. For to do so would provide proof of foreign funding or at least facilitation/support; and regionally speaking, Malaysia as the likely culprit would trigger unease in Indonesia and alarm countries like Thailand (both being firm U.S. allies) which is fighting its own Muslim secessionists.Â
And so it seems the last-ditch appeal, perhaps by the more moderate among the MILF’s leadership, is for the Malaysians to give a sign that they continue to enjoy that country’s confidence and backing, in an effort to convince the other foreign powers to head off full-blown hostilities. Again, here is a confluence of interests: the Americans wouldn’t be too keen on hostilities because as the primary funder of our armed forces it would have to foot the bill and this includes what the Americans know all too well includes lining generals’ pockets (see Who Profits From The War in Mindanao? | Filipino Voices). It wouldn’t even really help the American arms industry. Not much money to be gained with out Korea and Vietnam War-era weaponry.Add to this the possibility that SouthEast Asia, including the Philippines, exists in a kind of policy limbo vis-a-vis Washington: In Asia » Blog Archive » Asian Policy Challenges for the Next President.
But that doesn’t mean that these nations could prevent a shooting war, either.
So when the MILF announced, on August 21, it would hold a press conference on August 23, I had deep misgivings. What would they say? After their former brio, they’d been complaining that AFP uses excessive force in attack pulverizing Muslim communities, which ignores who started the fighting or the absurdity of expecting the AFP not to send in the PAF.
Though they did have a point in saying MILF: CAFGUs, CVOs, plus Pinol, et al=Ilagas which the PNP, for one, validated by the tactic of arming civilian militias (see PNP sending shotguns to Mindanao auxiliaries – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos). The news of state-armed militias is indeed troubling; it is a sign of weakness and does not address the sort of insecurities that led to this: see Iligan City Hall Sights « preMEDitated.
Where did this insecurity come from? On one part, the public being unsure of what, really, the administration’s game plan was concerning Mindanao (in a nutshell: An irresponsible response « Mon Casiple’s Weblog on Philippine Politics). Second, the Palace having to respond to public hostility to its peace plan, and that response being at best, a confusing combination of bluster and appeasement. ALthough RG Cruz puts forward the Palace line of a STRATEGY CHANGE | RG CRUZ which suggests some sort of rhyme or reason, crude zigzaging seems a more appropriate description:  Malacañang Backtracks on BJE MoA Even As Supreme Court Set to Rule on Constitutionality » The Warrior Lawyer | Philippine Lawyer.
Third, uncertainty concerning traditional allies such as the United States (see US silent on MILF terrorism « Peter Laviña New Blog) and Fourth, the possibility that the armed forces intervened by mounting operations even when the President hadn’t quite made up her mind on that to do. In his blog, thenutbox actually suggests the President announced offensive operations to retroactively rubberstamp the armed forces’ decision to begin them, regardless of the President’s position on the matter:
What my uncle told me was that Mrs. Arroyo actually ordered the attacks against MILF after the generals have already decided to launch the AFP offensive.
Arroyo’s inability to control her temper, his hypothesis went on, is actually borne out of her fright of the generals’ deciding by themselves without consulting her. She made a complete turn-around in his policy towards the MILF to appease the generals who were clearly pissed off with the BJE deal she made with the rebel group. And she wanted to appease the generals as soon as possible, hence her uncontrolled emotions for the delay of the taping.
At first I dismissed this as another conspiracy theory from a Gloria-hater. But veteran journalist Ellen Tordessillias, in a reply to a comment I posted on her blog, confirmed that, indeed, the anti-MILF mopping operations were actually carried out before the Bitch ordered them.
Note that Tordesilla’s military sources are excellent. I’d also heard on my own from a retired senior officer that Camp Aguinaldo had leaked the RP-MILF agreement to the media in the first place, and when I asked the retired officer if the agreement had the sanction of the AFP, the retired officer had emphatically shaken his head and said, “no, the AFP will fight!”
Note that Tordesilla’s military sources are excellent. I’d also heard on my own from a retired senior officer that Camp Aguinaldo had leaked the RP-MILF agreement to the media in the first place, and when I asked the retired officer if the agreement had the sanction of the AFP, the retired officer had emphatically shaken his head and said, “no, the AFP will fight!”
Put another way (see Philippine Politics 04: Arroyo needs to defend and explain the MOA-AD) if the President really did see the deal as an opportunity to display statesmanship, her statesmanlike resolve dissolved quite quickly, indeed. And Fifth, I’d say, a kind of latent nationalism everyone in official circles had assumed wasn’t there anymore (see This is what will happen to the Philippines after signing the GRP – MILF Memorandum of Agreement : OTWOMD | Bluepanjeet.Net)
The President hasn’t given supporters of the peace deal any chance to save themselves or the cause of peace. Which, sad to say, has been the repeated experience of those who still suffer from the delusion that they can achieve their idealistic goals by means of a pragmatic alliance with the President.
So if there are defenders, still, of the MOA: MOA-AD a path to peace, says Archbishop Quevedo « SCRIPTORIUM and refer to Red’s Herring: SC review imperils Mindanao peace process; then see The Palace’s High Cost of Learning | ralphguzman.org.
And refer to GOING IN CIRCLES « THE MOUNT BALATUCAN MONITOR and PUSONG MAMON « THE MOUNT BALATUCAN MONITOR to get a glimpse into how people -particularly Filipinos seized by uncertainty in the affected areas of Mindanao- began to send the message to civilian and military officials alike that in the absence of any reassuring information that the governmet knew what it was doing and would defend citizens seized by panic, that they would then take matters into their own hands.
And the would do so in the manner of their forefahers, see Viva Iligan! « preMEDitated:
In the speech, he appealed for:
Calm.
Bravery.
Community.
And Solidarity.He also urged community leaders to lead the people under them, to prepare for the worst, and fight if the need arose. He also mentioned the presence of the tanks and the several thousand strong army defending Iligan.
He also mentioned that the people of Iligan should not be afraid because God and Senior San Miguel was on our side. He closed his speech with a, “Viva Senior San Miguel!,†to which the people heartily replied a “Vivaâ€.
Although, I’m Protestant and do not agree with Catholic veneration of saints and even angels, I could not help but realize that the Mayor was speaking the heart language of the Iliganon, something that they could understand. He was speaking the old language of the Spanish times at the time when the citizens of the old fort of Iligan defended the fort and even waged battle against the Moros. Historically, even though Iligan was just a doorstep away from the Moro stronghold of Marawi, it was never conquered by Muslims despite the fact that at that time their pirates raided Christian towns as far away as Luzon.
“War,” Clausewitz famously wrote, “is the continuation of politics by other means.” Samuel Johnson also famously warned that “patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels,” and yet it is also a time when a formerly divided people can find unity and leaders can tap into a kind of mystical reservoir of national solidarity and idealism:
Â
As Juned Sonido, perhaps one of the most even-tempered bloggers around reflected, in a time of conflict there is the need to be aware of the dangers of jingoism and the imperative that should weigh heavily on all those in authority: to provide protection from those who hold allegiance to the state. What distinguishes the two? A clear and present danger, a compelling need:
At present waltzing around the negotiation table is as useful as cupping a corpse. It is hard to negotiate when one side has not given up the armed option or has no control over its army while the other side seems to be following the likes Neville Chamberlain at Munich – practicing vermi-negotiation or the art and science of negotiations by the worms at Munich.
Meanwhile, the war continues and people are hurt. A few hours ago a bomb was exploded in Zamboanga. Will this again reach the other corners of the country. Another bomb in the MRT or LRT?
Is this jingoism? No. This is a matter of national self defense.
It is the duty of the State to protect the citizens who opt to stay in this country. Otherwise these same citizens will go to other means to protect themselves.
You have to wonder whether such viligantism can view anything other than bloodcurdling hostility as acceptable.
By way of  Carl Parkes — FriskoDude: Philippines: The Sulu Zone of Peace who points us to Jolo’s gun culture – Sidetrip with Howie Severino, we catch a glimpse of the complexities of conflict and clan relationships among the Moros. Those like the Catholic bishops clamoring for peace know from personal experience that peace is possible but peace between Christians and Muslims is made doubly difficult as peace among the Moros is difficult enough to achieve. Though it can be done: see A Lesson on Clan Conflict Resolution in the Philippines.
The reality however is that even though it’s always denied it, the Palace is sensitive to public opinion particularly when that opinion starts triggering May, 2001 flashbacks in the President’s inner circle.
Where that opinion is -and how it’s increasingly hostile to any policy other than crushing the MILF- can be gleaned from surveying the blogosphere:
See The Journal of The Jester-in-Exile: Are Yu Dif? Didna Her? then The Philippine Experience, as well as fiesty commentaries from mindanao is the land, promise « Geisha (gay-’sya) Diaries and  Mindanao « the Scribe in Me and The Art and Science of – Notes from an Apathetic Atenean Doctor. As well as idiosyncratic thoughts: hay.. and A SCENARIO EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH OUT « THE MOUNT BALATUCAN MONITOR.
On a more philosophical note, two entries discuss A Just War | Filipino Voices and A Just War: Road to A Just Peace | Filipino Voices (what is a “Just War”? See Just War – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). The voices raised against war are few and far between, see: Oppose the Mindanao War « Pinoy Observer
And while some will ask (and perhaps hope) Critical Criterion Edition: Peace in Mindanao? Here is A sober reminder that the war is real | Filipino Voices which makes for cautionary reading, as does this entry from General Santos City, in For the Children | HomewardBound:
12:52 PMÂ Our principal called for an emergency meeting, the second meeting we had today that zeroed in on matters of safety and security. The schools has received calls that messages were circulating about schools in General Santos City whose students and teachers were hostaged. We were not very sure of the report but for the reason that we have to secure the safety of our students, we have decided to send them home.
However, we could not simply let them take the public transport, which will drop them in downtown GenSan. So, we arranged for vehicles that will take them to their respective homes. Those who have their own vehicles were fetched by their parents.
What happened in the elementary school is a different story. Panicking parents rushed to the school fetching their kids. Some drivers told us about the chaos in the elementary school.
Some member of the authorities went to our school to reassure us that none of the reported events were true and that we are relatively safer here. That’s a bit of a relief. But who knows what will happen next? Better safe than sorry.
Intuitive: We Need Your Prayers echoes the unreported reality for most Filipinos, worried about loved ones and even their property and livelihoods. Meanwhile, everyone waits to see which side will escalate matters and bring the front lines to other metropolitan centers of the Philippines.
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UP n student on Thu, 28th Aug 2008 9:39 pm
A sign of extreme fear with a heavy tinger of paranoia is the entry from Balatucan monitor, which starts with a level-headed conclusion:
The barbaric and inhuman attacks perpetrated by the MILF in Lanao provinces was a big propaganda nightmare for the MILF. Public opinion was turned against them. Even how they justified their attacks as an “emotional outburst†over the stalled signing of MOA on ancestral domain, nothing can justify the killing of innocent civilians.
Suddenly the MILF is losing credibility except for their diehard supporters who support barbaric acts just to attain their selfish goals. Even Moro people were ashamed at the actions of the MILF. They say its un Islamic and inhuman. TV footages shown on TV undeniably showed the merciless and inhuman treatment of the MILF against Christians in the area.
- – -
Now the MILF wants to counter these by peddling lies such as destruction of “downtrodden Muslim communities.†But nobody will believe it. Commander Bravo denied he was responsible for the attacks in Lanao. But no sooner, 31 of his men belied his statements by telling all the orders of Commander Bravo to kill men, women, old people and children.
And then the extensions into the possibilities:
My fear is that the MILF, desperate to get media mileage and sympathy for the Moros who are ashamed of what they did would do the horrible. That ,the MILF will orchestrate a massacre of its own people and blamed it to the military and the Christians to step up the hatred a little higher. That is possible. The barbarity of the MILF has no limits. Its all out now and the once unthinkable will be possible.
jcc on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 12:01 am
I simply cannot understand the sight of people who were seeking peace strapped in bandoleers and caressing M-16 and grenade launchers in the likes of the epic saga of Sylvester Stallone in Rambo 1 to 3. If our heart bleed because we are deaf to the cries of our Muslim brothers for peace, imagine how much we ache if they cry for war.
Yes siree, you do not want peace. You want power and territory as a tactical struggle to establish your own republic.
“O what a tangled web we weave, When first we practise to deceive!†(Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832)
BrianB on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 12:45 am
“You have to wonder whether such viligantism can view anything other than bloodcurdling hostility as acceptable.”
Jesus Christ. Vigilantism? Are you mad? It’s self-defense. In any country you go, defending oneself against armed raiders is acceptable. Your opinion on human violence is very severely crippled.
“A sign of extreme fear with a heavy tinger of paranoia ”
Christ all mighty. Check your words, man! paranoia. May mga pinatay na nga eh, paranoia pa rin sayo. Maski bata pinatay. Jihad na nga sabi ni Bravo, paranoia parin interpretation mo. Please explain your point again. This time try not to use words like “Paranoia”: “a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically elaborated into an organized system. It may be an aspect of chronic personality disorder, of drug abuse, or of a serious condition such as schizophrenia in which the person loses touch with reality.” fro my Macbook dictionary.
BrianB on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 12:46 am
above is addressed to Manolo and UP n and especially to people of good sense.
supremo on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 1:24 am
Let’s accept it. Gloria is the problem.
adapted from the Sound of Music
‘She climbs a tree and scrapes her knee
Her dress has got a tear
She waltzes on her way to Mass
And whistles on the stair
And underneath her wimple
She has curlers in her hair
I even heard her singing in the abbey
She’s always late for chapel
But her penitence is real
She’s always late for everything
Except for every meal
I hate to have to say it
But I very firmly feel
Gloria’s not an asset to the Philippines
I’d like to say a word in her behalf
Gloria makes me laugh
How do you solve a problem like Gloria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Gloria?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o’-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you’d like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Gloria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?
When I’m with her I’m confused
Out of focus and bemused
And I never know exactly where I am
Unpredictable as weather
She’s as flighty as a feather
She’s a darling! She’s a demon! She’s a lamb!
She’d outpester any pest
Drive a hornet from its nest
She could throw a whirling dervish out of whirl
She is gentle! She is wild!
She’s a riddle! She’s a child!
She’s a headache! She’s an angel!
She’s a girl!
How do you solve a problem like Gloria?
How do you catch a cloud and pin it down?
How do you find a word that means Gloria?
A flibbertijibbet! A will-o’-the wisp! A clown!
Many a thing you know you’d like to tell her
Many a thing she ought to understand
But how do you make her stay
And listen to all you say
How do you keep a wave upon the sand
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Gloria?
How do you hold a moonbeam in your hand?’
UP n student on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 1:46 am
paranoia : noun {Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, madness, from paranous demented, from para- + nous mind }
1 : a psychosis characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur usually without hallucinations
2 : a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others
To BrianB… I’ve re-read the Balatucan blogpost “A Scenario Every One Should Watch Out { For }”. You are right — sensationalism is the stronger-, paranoia is the weaker explanation for the blogpost entry. On second-reading, what I now sense is a cold-blooded attempt by its author to outshock and out-scoop with the phrase …. … orchestrate a massacre of its own people .
nash on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 1:55 am
Sigh.
So after letting the Americans dock their ships in our waters, after all those balikatan exercises, after all those PR releases of how our army is being trained by crack GI Joe forces in counter-terrorism, we still can’t wipe out the bandits?
What’s taking GMA, er the generals, so long?? supot naman pala yang us military assistance.
We should ask help from the Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais. Maybe they are a little bit better (and more experienced) in dealing with the bandits.
Whatever happened to General Garcia? Did the Military get their money back? Pambili rin ng sapatos, kawawa naman mga conscripts.
istambay_sakalye on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 3:27 am
the problem was hailing the MOA as the final piece for peace in mindanao, but when questioned in the supreme court about it’s legality everyone in the gov’t washes their hands like pontius pilate and left the MILF negotiators hanging to dry. should the MILF who was lead to believe that they will at last get what they asked for, for generations be upset? what do you think if you’re in their place? still the killings are not justifiable for any reasons whatsoever.
then malacanang wants charter change to federalism to make this MOA valid/legal. is this a case of putting the cart before the horse? or just a ploy by the malacanang to sneak through the backdoor, to get someone an extended stay in power? should the our moslem brothers feel they were used by their christian brothers in the government for their own gain?
now that the war is re-ignited and is spiralling out of control, malacanang will get it’s wish after all. emergency power, martial law! extended stay in power.
paranoia???
supremo on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 3:33 am
‘uncertainty concerning traditional allies such as the United States’
The US will only commit to supplying arms to the Philippines if it can get a naval/air base preferably near Mindanao. Let’s lease some of the islands in southern Palawan for 10 years. We get a ready supply of arms plus a base to counteract Malaysia’s naval base in Lubang.
istambay_sakalye on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 3:37 am
…or am i just giving malacanang too much credit? from it’s track record they are not that smart. they’re just plain and simple bullies with their generals as the muscle/enforcer if they’re unable to buy their way.
maybe it is by accident that malacanang will finally get it’s wish.
paranoia???
Kiram on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 4:18 am
Harapin natin ang katotohanan. Hindi kaya ng GRP na mag-simula o tapusin ang all out war sa Mindanaw. Tanongin nyo ang mga Kano sa katarantaduhan nila sa Iraq.
Di ba malinaw na kung kaya ng GRP, bakit sila gustong makipagusap sa mga ‘terorista’? Animin natin na walang bisa ang sovereignty ng Pilipinas sa Moroland. Ang kaya lang ikulong ng militar ay ang Magdalo. Ang MILF ay hindi nila kaya. Maliwanag ba yan?
Isa pa. Ang pag-gamit ng bomba sa mga civilian ay massacre. Ang massacre ay terrorism? And terrorism ay hindi maka-Kristyano. Pagpaka-Islam naman kayo paminsan-minsan, gaya ng ating mga ninuno o gaya ni Raja Suleiman at Lapu-Lapu. Matatapang sila pero lumalaban ng parehas.
Isang tanong at isang sagot. Gusto nyo bang magusap o gusto nyo talaga ng gulo???
Noel on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 5:37 am
Kiram: hindi kaya ng MILF na pa-alisin sa Mindanao ang mga sundalo ng Republika Pilipinas.
jcc on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 6:13 am
KIRAM,
Hold your horses. You have no idea of what the government is capable of if the dice is cast. And you have no idea that the US soldiers in Iraq, contrary to your posture, are loved by the peace-loving Iraquis but are hated by the Muslim Al Queda type, just the way you hated the government and the U.S. But let us not beat the drums of war and stop our sabre rattling.
Any blood spilled, whether that of christian or muslim is not worth our parochial claim for ancestral land. let us consider every piece of land in the archipelago as philippine land of which every Filipino, regardless of faith has the birthright to till, to own and to cultivate so we can support our family and be productive members of our society.
UP n student on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 6:44 am
Should Mainland China land-policy become implemented over the Philippines, then the concept of land-inheritance is kaput, and land-inheritance kaput means ancestral-domain kaput.
Makes you wonder why the MILF has JoMa as an adviser. I guess it is the “special ties” to North Korea AK47’s.
KG on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 7:56 am
“Note that Tordesilla’s military sources are excellent. I’d also heard on my own from a retired senior officer that Camp Aguinaldo had leaked the RP-MILF agreement to the media in the first place, and when I asked the retired officer if the agreement had the sanction of the AFP, the retired officer had emphatically shaken his head and said, “no, the AFP will fight!â€
MLQ3,
the paragraph was posted twice.(pls ignore message, if already corrected)
Noel on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 9:19 am
Kiram: Doblehin mo pa ang mga sundalo ng MILF, hindi nila kayang pa-alisin ang mga sundalo ng Republika Pilipinas sa Mindanao.
Ang lakas lang ng MILF ay sa pambubuwisit. Ang problema naman, ang problema, pag nambuwisit ang MILF dahil gustong mag-alburoto….. pumapatay ng mga civilians. Tandaan mo, it will be stupid foolishness to believe that the Philippine Armed Forces will abandon the civilians of Mindanao to terrorists and kidnap-for-ransom thugs.
hvrds on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 9:41 am
Many people most especially pundits on this blog are unaware that Anwar Ibrahim has to ally himself with the more conservative fundamentalist Islamic parties for him to attempt to seize power of the Federal nationalist government. Several Malay states already are under the sway of a coalition of parties which have Islamic fundamentalist party amongst the coalition. (PAS) The PAS party is calling for a theocratic state.
This talk of SAM’s in the hands of the MILF is silly conjecture.
That went out with the introduction of hand held SAS anti- tank and hand held SAM’s. They are effective but expensive. No major power or for that matter Malaysia would escalate the trouble since within their own state they do have a powerful Islamic party competing for power.
The issue of the interest of Malaysia in the Philippines is a foregone historical fact. Malaysia economy is part state owned and part Chinese-Malay owned. The Kuok family are Chinese Malay. There are other Chinese Malays that have large investments in the Philippines already.
Some experts say that the arable land in the Philippines is between 6-7 million hectares. Some say it is up to 10M hectares. (A lot of this has already been urbanized) The Kuok Group has already signified an intention to lease 1 M hectares of land. That would mean Mindanao.
Meanwhile the Malay government and other Arab states would like to lease land to grow food for them just like the PRC. (Malaysia would like to get more land for their palm oil plantations.)
Big business interests will naturally demand that they have clear directions on who to deal with in Mindanao.
The MILF are claiming to represent the interests of the so called Bangsamoro constituency.
No one has ever seen a mass movement in Mindanao where you have a constituency of people demanding substantial change and separation from the Republic.
Those poor guys do not realize that the fight is about who will deal with foreign interests for the land.
Pinoys would like to leave their own country for obvious reasons.
Liam Tinio on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 9:48 am
haha
thank you for reminding us that point noel
for me i dont like war..
nakakatamad, id rather play online games or surf the internet or talk politics..
*yawns*
hvrds on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 10:06 am
“Should Mainland China land-policy become implemented over the Philippines, then the concept of land-inheritance is kaput, and land-inheritance kaput means ancestral-domain kaput.” Punditry displaying ignorance
The concept of ancestral domain is for the state to recognize that certain lands belong to certain communities based on historical tradition.
Those communities then can decide for themselves on how property rights will be implemented.
Freehold or leasehold systems are imposed by a state. Tribal communities may decide on communal ownership or otherwise. Just like the Indian tribes in the U.S.
From Rodrik’s blog
When the state does not enforce property rights
… the Mafia–or, as happens in this case, the Taliban–will. The setting is Ziarat in the tribal northwest territory of Pakistan and its potentially profitable marble quarries. The region’s tribal groups have been unable to sort out competing property rights over the quarries, and the Pakistani central government has been powerless to assert its authority despite repeated attempts. Who steps in to assign and enforce property rights–at a price, of course–but the Taliban:
The Taliban decided that one mountain in the Ziarat area belonged to the Masaud division of the main Safi tribe, and said that the Gurbaz subtribe would be rewarded with another mountain, Mr. Zaman, the contractor, said.
The mountain assigned to the Masauds was divided into 30 portions, he said, and each of six villages in the area was assigned five of the 30 portions. Mr. Zaman said the Taliban demanded about $1,500 commission upfront for each portions, giving the insurgents a quick $45,000.
The Taliban also demanded a tax of about $7 on each truckload of marble, he said. With a constant flow of trucks out of the quarry, the Taliban are now collecting up to $500 a day, Mr. Zaman said.
After four years of lying dormant, the New York Times reports the mines are making brisk business. Three cheers for third-party enforcement of property rights!
“It is the economy stupid”
The NPA method of taxation in their zones where their influence is strong and the states is weak is the same.
leytenian on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 12:08 pm
Part of the Peace Process is to CHANGE OUR UNITARY REPUBLIC TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES: CHACHA…
“Because of the serious weaknesses and disadvantages of our unitary system:
Our unitary system is not sensitive to our cultural diversity. The nation has many ethno-linguistic and cultural communities and a large Muslim minority, the Moros. The migration of large numbers of people from other parts of the country has led to the loss of their identity and ancestral domain and to their landlessness and poverty.
Decades of unitary rule under the policy of assimilation and national integration have marginalized the Moros and other indigenous peoples in various parts of the country. Meanwhile many settlers in Mindanao and other regions are becoming prosperous. Deteriorating relations between the Moros and the national government have led to many years of violence and rebellion —the death, displacement and suffering of thousands of people.
Under our unitary system the efforts to promote local autonomy since the 1950s have reached a dead end, because of the reluctance of most national political leaders to decentralize the powers of the national government. The centralization of power enhances their power and control over the local communities.
Thus under our traditional unitary Republic since 1946, and our presidential form of government, our government and leaders have generally failed to effectively address our problems and continuing underdevelopment—our
poverty, social inequality, unemployment, inadequate social services, the lack of transparency and accountability that breeds corruption, the government’s increasing deficits and public debt, endemic rebellion, etc.”
http://www.i-site.ph/Focus/ConCom/Abueva-Why-Change-from-Unitary-to-Federal-Republic.pdf
leytenian on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 12:13 pm
“Federalism emphasizes respect for the socio-cultural diversity of the people and seeks national unity in regional diversity. It promotes national solidarity and cooperation in governance, nation-building, modernization and development.
Federalism emphasizes regional and local self-rule and self-reliance in governance, based on the principle of subsidiarity. This means that decisions should be made at the lowest possible level where the problems can be solved.
While regional or state governments are designed to be autonomous in their regional and local affairs in relation to the federal government, the federal government provides assistance to the various regions and states, especially the less developed ones, as in all federal systems in the world.
bakit ba stuck pa rin ang mga tao since 1946 mentality? why not support CHACHA?
BrianB on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 1:48 pm
Minority ang muslim sa Mindanao, so why do we think they can ever rule there?
BrianB on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 1:50 pm
The Kuok, I’ve heard, re nice people.
BrianB on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 1:54 pm
Besides, t’s a safe bet that there will be always hostilities. Let’s not make promises to our people that there will be any lasting peace. This is immature. One option is to treat armed rebels officially as bandits, but decrease their numbers first.
BrianB on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 1:55 pm
“Minority ang muslim sa Mindanao, so why do we think they can ever rule there?”
Because since Spanish and Chinese mestizos rule Pinas, Moros should also rule Mindanao?
istambay_sakalye on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 2:50 pm
it is amazing that christian filipinos keep on forgetting our roots, that our ninuno are the malays. christianity is the lasting legacy of spaniard colonialism! why the hatred toward each other??? like it or not we are of malay race!!! it is a fact and we are all blood brothers from apari to jolo!
BrianB on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 3:28 pm
istambay, Unless we are all willing to forsake Christianity that doesn’t matter. What matters is that there is a large armed group in Mindanao that is still now beyond the pale of the law and do not accept Philippine sovereignty.
nash on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 4:50 pm
“Gusto nyo bang magusap o gusto nyo talaga ng gulo???”
hay naku, it’s not about being christian or muslim. these guys are thugs!
the people of sabah have been fighting their own struggle for autonomy from kuala lumpur but they don’t have violent bandits hijacking the process. if the sabah moros can do it peacefully the mindanao moros can too. let’s all kick out these thugs on both sides.
and of course their right (Sabahans) to self-determination is something that should be supported and i fully support the moros righ to the same even if they break up the country – kasi, i live in the cordilleras, alangan naman ipagpilitan ko ang republika kung ayaw ng iba eh di hayaan natin silang humiwalay para lahat masaya at walang gulo. pero, parang if have a clean referendum, you still won’t get the majority agreeing to secession and the nationalists/patriots are just as willing to die for this abstract concept of ‘republic/nation’ ek-ek
Liam Tinio on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 4:54 pm
we are not of the malay race..
we are austronesian peoples..
the malays descended from our people..
as well as the polynesians..
i hope that you get that fact clear..
ricelander on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 4:59 pm
This is from Maceda’s Mr. Expose:
UP n student on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 5:04 pm
to hvrds: I’m glad you got “it” —- Mainland-China land-policy (which does not support the concept of land-inheritance) is an alien concept for the Filipino setting with the practice of passing property from parents to children. Satur Ocampo better get the message, too, so he stops trying to insert China-land-policy into the Philippine legal system.
Now I must admit confusion — your message is about the Taliban and those tribes and the marble mountain. Three cheers??? For extortion???
Note BrianB’s comment : it matters when a large armed grooup operates beyond the pale of the law.
ricelander on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 5:40 pm
You only need to read the MOA-AD to know something else was being cooked. Throw in the statement of the President during her SONA hailing a purported peace deal that was to end the decades-old conflict in Mindanao and asking Congress for supporting legislation. What followed were endless words of praises for a document the contents of which they would not want divulged because it is just-trust-us-we’ll-do-the- right-thing kind of thing, until the contents were leaked and out we see what a terrible document pala they want to sign on behalf of the government— by what authority, who knows. Kaya pala itinatago.
Can we assume that GMA did not even bother to read it or has not at least consulted a lawyer?
Hahahahihihihohohohuhuhu!
BTW, where’s the let’s-move-on crowd.
BrianB on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 7:19 pm
PEOPLE. Islam is a religion. If we base that ancestral domain mumbo jumbo on heredity, parehong may karapatan mga bisaya dyan at mga moro. Sa totoo lang.
Kasalanan ito nang media dahil pinasanay nila ang moro sa ganyang pag-iisip. Dahil hindi lang palasalita mga Ilonggo ang angulo nila pabor sa moro.
PSI on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 7:47 pm
Its a bullies’ fight!
American “involvement” in the MOA-AD with MILF could be a left-handed play to prevent the new big boy in the block (China) from consolidating its power in GI Joe’s old sphere of influence, with a win-win result:
1. If the MOA pushed through, then GI Joe gets to have an ally with in the Bangsa Moro entity.
2. If it unraveled, as it recently did, then guess who gets to supply the boys’ firepower? Maybe the lords of war are looking ahead of an Obama presidency to end the firefight in Iraq.
Incredible, but possible.
anthony scalia on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 8:02 pm
“BTW, where’s the let’s-move-on crowd.”
far ahead already, since they are always moving
nash on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 8:23 pm
|who gets to supply the boys’ firepower?”
-any soldier who is so underpaid and overworked and doesn’t really want to be in a war zone (who does?) will be tempted easily sell his weapons and ammo to any takers.
that’s pretty much the supply chain in mindanao.
The EQualizer on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 9:13 pm
The 1996 Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA), which amends section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act states that the Secretary of State is authorized to designate an organization as a “foreign terrorist organization†if three conditions are met:
1. The organization is foreign;
2. The organization engages in terrorist activity;
3. The terrorist activity threatens the security of United States citizens or the national security of the United States
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) does not appear on the U.S. State Department’s or the United Nations’ list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO).
The MILF Must Be Designated A “Foreign Terrorist Organization”! This will cut its financial links with its foreign patrons!
istambay_sakalye on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 10:30 pm
austronesians, malays, formosans, micronesians, polynesians, & melanesians all came from same part the globe. same as filipino from luzon, visayas and mindanao.
it is a known fact that mindanao have been abused for it’s natural resources by the central gov’t with very little regard to it’s environment and people’s welfare for generations.
number and firepower is not a definite determining factor in war. look at the spartans. do not underestimate the motivation of fighting for your birth right. could be said same as bonifacio and the katipuneros with their bolos against spaniards’ superior training and firepower or lapu lapu against magellan. so the talk of superiority in terms of number and firepower by the the gov’t troops is just bullying tactic.
istambay_sakalye on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 10:41 pm
Austronesian peoples consist of the following groupings by name and geographic location.
* Formosan: Taiwan. ex. Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Paiwan.
* Malayo-Polynesian:
o Borneo Groups, Kadazan, Iban, Murut,
o Central Filipino: Central and Southeastern Luzon. ex. Tagalog, Bicolano
o Chamic group: Cambodia, Hainan, Vietnam. ex. Chams, Jarai, Utsuls.
o Igorot: Cordilleras. ex. Balangao, Ibaloi, Isneg, Kankanaey.
o Lumad: Mindanao. ex. Kamayo, Manobo, Tasaday, T’boli.
o Malagasy: Madagascar. ex. Betsileo, Merina, Sakalava, Tsimihety.
o Malays: Malaysia, Brunei, Pattani, Singapore, Sumatra.
o Melanesians: Melanesia. ex. Kanak, Ni-Vanuatu.
o Micronesians: Micronesia. ex. Carolinian, Chamorros, Palauan.
o Moken: Myanmar, Thailand.
o Moro: Bangsamoro (Mindanao, Sulu archipelago). ex. Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug.
o Northern Filipino: Northern Luzon. ex. Ilocano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan
o Polynesians: Polynesia. Fijians, MÄori, Native Hawaiians, Samoans.
o Visayans: Visayas. ex. Aklanon, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray.
filipinos under malayo-polynesians, malay archipelago with borneo.
UP n student on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 10:55 pm
AbuSayyaf and CPP/NPA are on the US State Department List of FTO’s (foreign terrorist organization):
# Abu Nidal Organization (ANO)
# Abu Sayyaf Group
# Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade
# Ansar al-Islam
# Armed Islamic Group (GIA)
# Asbat al-Ansar
# Aum Shinrikyo
# Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA)
# Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA)
# Continuity Irish Republican Army
# Gama’a al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group)
# HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)
# Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM)
# Hizballah (Party of God)
# Islamic Jihad Group
# Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)
# Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) (Army of Mohammed)
# Jemaah Islamiya organization (JI)
– - -
# Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
# Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG)
– - -
# al-Qa’ida
# al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (formerly GSPC)
# Real IRA
# Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
# Revolutionary Nuclei (formerly ELA)
# Revolutionary Organization 17 November
# Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C)
# Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso, SL)
# United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)
———————————–
Palusot ng MILF, ang bomba at kidnap-for-ransom ay Abu Sayyaf, hindi sila. At ang tumutulong sa JI, hindi daw nila alam, pero hindi daw sila.
UP n student on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 11:09 pm
Pero saan pa rin kumukuha nang pera ang MILF hindi lang sa riple, bala at uniporme pero para may ma-iabot linggo-linggo sa mga sundalo nila para pang-araw araw na gastos at sigarilyo?
glu gun on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 11:17 pm
anthony scalia
BTW, where’s the let’s-move-on crowd.â€
far ahead already, since they are always moving
TOWARDS WHERE?
nash on Fri, 29th Aug 2008 11:37 pm
McCain has chosen a gurl!!!!!! Sarah Palin.
Nice.
Sadly, she’s an evangelical christian. Ewwwww.
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:04 am
Sarah Palin who? A woman to pander to Hillary Clinton democrats. Cheap shot?
UP n student on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:07 am
Palin a direct pitch (PSI uses “pander”) to Hillary Clinton supporters. And Palin ain’t no millionaire (I don’t think — former mayors of towns of under 10,000-people usually non-millionaires). I can imagine her bonding to those worried about education, health care, and disabled (her youngest has Down’s Syndrome) but still with “race is not a disability” as the non-message.
But hey… mud is sure to fly!!!! “She fired someone who refused to hire her brother-in-law” is already mentioned.
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:08 am
McCain could have just drafted no.2 most powerful woman Secretary of State Ms. Condeleeza Rice to have a better desired effect.
Chabeli on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:24 am
Sarah Palin is also known as “The Baracuda”, being a tough young woman of 44 years. From what I understand, she’s the governor of Wasila, Alaska–a population of 54,000 people.
grd on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:27 am
<Palusot ng MILF, ang bomba at kidnap-for-ransom ay Abu Sayyaf, hindi sila. At ang tumutulong sa JI, hindi daw nila alam, pero hindi daw sila… UPn
buti ka pa UPn at alam mong may ugnayan ang milf sa abu sayyaf pero mukhang mahihina ata kokote ng mga nasa US state department at hindi makita ang ugnayan.
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:31 am
UP n student,
Come to think about it, you have a point.
A little- known state executive to also pander to middle America, also known as the Wal Mart crowd.
Americans should now be wiser.
supremo on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:34 am
‘Sarah Palin who? A woman to pander to Hillary Clinton democrats. Cheap shot?’
American women will now have to decide between electing the first black President now or setting the stage for a future female President.
“She fired someone who refused to hire her brother-in-law†is already mentioned.”
Palin fired the guy because he would not fire her sister’s ex-husband.
UP n student on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:47 am
to grd: siguro nga, tama ang sabi mo na mahihina ang kokote ng mga nasa US state department.
Sa pagka-alam mo, totoo ba iyong paliwanag sa luwaran-dot-com na may tunay na Abu Sayyaf na patakbo ng MILF at may pekeng Abu Sayyaf na patakbo ng deep-penetration-agents ng fort Aguinaldo?
UP n student on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:57 am
supremo: Yahoo-news echoes what you said:
A self-styled hockey mom and political reformer, Pallin was mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 6,500, until she became governor.
. . .
She is a former mayor of Wasilla who became governor of her state in December, 2006 after ousting a governor of her own party in a primary and then dispatching a former governor in the general election.
More recently, she has come under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled legislature into the possibility that she ordered the dismissal of Alaska’s public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper.
Palin has a long history of run-ins with the Alaska GOP hierarchy, giving her genuine maverick status and reformer credentials that could complement McCain’s image.
. . . .
She has also distanced herself from two senior Republican office-holders, Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don young. Both men are under federal corruption investigations.
She had earned stripes — and enmity — after Murkowski made her head of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. From that post, she exposed ethical violations by the state GOP chairman, also a fellow commissioner.
Her husband, Todd Palin, is part Yup’ik Eskimo, and is a blue-collar North Slope oil worker who competes in the Iron Dog, a 1,900-mile snowmobile race. The couple lives in Wasilla. They have five children, the youngest of whom was born in April with Down syndrome.
———-
and I thought I saw mention that one of her children is US Marine or Army.
nash on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 12:58 am
It’s a proxy fight. We don’t expect President McCain to live to finish his tenure as president so essentially, the americans are voting Sarah as the first president.
I like that she’s sooooooooooo conservative and has 5 children! Wow, masipag! She obviously did not care about the risks of having children at 44 kaya sige pa rin, natural family planning.
nash on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 1:00 am
@UP n
ginawa namang drama ni Sarah na may anak siyang army eh McCain and Biden don’t talk about it eh pareho rin silang may anak serving in the military.
don’t you just lurve that she talked about her personal life, her family etc ?? married 20 years? etc etch…It’s very USAmerican.
That’s entertainment for us! 67 days of better than Kuya Germs’ shows!
UP n student on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 1:14 am
So later, will see a one-on-one on the basketball court — Michelle Obama versus Sarah Barracuda? And she has a republican appeal (but Hugh Hefner may ask if she’ll want to pose) — worked for two years as a television sports reporter before becoming a co-owner of a commercial fishing operation. She’s also owned an outdoor recreational equipment company. Palin was crowned Miss Wasilla in 1984 and also competed in the Miss Alaska pageant. She likes to hunt, ice fish, ride snowmobiles and eat moose burgers.
[ I would think moose burger will taste like kalabaw-burger.]
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 1:25 am
It seems that McCain’s handlers put the question to several focus groups to pitch (now using UP stude’s term) to a broad segment: white, female, middle America, conservative socially but a politcal maverick, soccer Mom, married to a native-American, etc.
Its like in that movie about selecting a jury, Runaway Jury(?)
Now we have a VP candidate, little known but could be market-driven.
nash on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 1:39 am
According to Wiki (which is not the best place for info) she is a CREATIONIST!
Yee-ha! Hand her the nucko-leyar strike codes quick!
It gets better by the minute!
UP n student on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 2:46 am
I watched Obama’s acceptance speech, and among the things that strike me is that it was a historic moment —- a black, to repeat, a black is the declared nominee of a major party for the office of the President of the United States. [Okay.... Obama from Kenya -- African father, Dunham from Kansas - white mother. ]
The significance of that historic moment is overwhelmed by a practical issue — who will lead the United States of America for the 4 years Jan 2009-Jan 2013.
Ancestry much-less important an issue than competence to shape the future.
supremo on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:07 am
Michelle Obama is the darling of the Dems and Sarah Palin the darling of the GOP.
In the Philippines, we have GMA The Bitch and GMA The Wimp.
grd on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:08 am
UPn,
sorry, wala akong alam. i just rely on what i read.
Bencard on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:08 am
upn, i don’t think i want to change things just for “history” sake. if it must, it must be a change i can live with or die for. the future of america does not hinge on “anything-for-a-change-because-i-don’t-like-the-present” mindset. i don’t want to see another kennedy-like trial and error. in this day and age of thermonuclear stockpiles in the hands of rogue nations, a mistake may be our last.
grd on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:10 am
re pallin, will hillary’s supporters take the bait?
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:11 am
UP n student,
Really, if the U.S. voters get carried away (’scared’) of prejudices’against Obama being black, possible Muslim, former connections with radicals, then I will say the American democracy is alive and well, but malleable.
Never mind England, France and Russia, who ran empires, and whose ‘new emperor’ should still be from the mainstream ruling class.
But for America, this really crunch time. The better qualified candidate should win. And not on scare tactics. Well, that’s politcs for you.
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:26 am
Obama campaign spokesman, Bill Burton:
“Today, John McCain put the former mayor of a town of 9,000 with zero foreign policy experience a heartbeat away from the presidency.”
McCain turned 72 today. A VP has to be ready should anything happen, and the thought of Sarah Palin as “leader of the free world” is downright scary.
UP n student on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:32 am
A writer on the Wshington Post has this to say:
If Palin’s presence on the GOP ticket inspires white evangelicals and pro-life Catholics to put their full weight behind McCain’s candidacy, it could prove disastrous for the Democrats.
In 2004, President Bush’s re-election was sealed with the support he got from white evangelicals and Catholics. Bush won nearly 80 percent of the white evangelical vote and 52 percent of the Catholic vote — including 55 percent in the key swing state of Ohio. A recent Time magazine poll showed that nearly 60 percent of Catholic voters consider themselves pro-life voters.
As megachurch pastor Rick Warren told the Wall Street Journal, the abortion issue is just as important to evangelicals. “A lot of people hear (about a broader evangelicla agenda) and they think, ‘Oh, evangelicals are giving up on believing that life begins at conception. They’re not giving up on that at all. Not at all.”
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:56 am
re pallin, will hillary’s supporters take the bait?
I am hillary’s supporter from the very start and promised to cross party if hillary was not the presidential nominee. Last week, I registered as republican for the upcoming election and so did my relatives.
It is nice to see McCain ranch in Sedona and nearby I can imagine to retire in such quiet beautiful cool mountain place detached from Obama’s high taxes and union lapdog.
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:01 am
‘It is nice to see McCain ranch in Sedona and nearby I can imagine to retire in such quiet beautiful cool mountain place ‘
McCain will continue Bush’ policies. Be prepared to have your retirement mountain retreat foreclosed.
nash on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:14 am
I never thought the rapture will happen in my lifetime…but given that this McCain strategy is so inspired and brilliant I’m preparing myself for a fundamentalist nutter like Sarah Palin to set off the usa’s thermonuclear stockpile. Hell yeah.
Go Sarah!
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:22 am
re: “McCain turned 72 today. A VP has to be ready should anything happen, and the thought of Sarah Palin as “leader of the free world†is downright scary.”
The patriot entrusted her the VP, that is already a big statement unlike the scary mania by obama spokesman.
Noel on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:23 am
d0d0ng: Based on your aggressive blogpost-entries supporting terroristic separatist MILF, I thought your retirement thoughts will be for Mindanao. Talk about being seduced by the good-old-American way. You just moved to USA less than 3 years ago and you’re thinking of retiring in Sedona. But you sure that Homeland Security has already stopped listening to your phone conversations?
supremo on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:25 am
Sean Penn predicted that Obama will get Biden as VP. He won $2000.
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:27 am
re: “McCain will continue Bush’ policies. Be prepared to have your retirement mountain retreat foreclosed.”
McCain has at least 8 different properties and not one foreclosed. I am taking advantage of the low real estate market which is closing on rebound. Foreclosure is only for the uninitiated and overextended in credits – that is not me.
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:29 am
“The patriot entrusted her the VP, that is already a big statement .”
Meaning of this, me and readers don’t get. Clarify, commenter should.
Noel on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:31 am
So it is old-fashioned using Excel on a desktop powered by a Pentium-3…… but it really does not compute and I can’t the numbers to tally ———- d0d0ng who said okay/acceptable to Bravo-Kato village-burning plus murder-2-year-old-girl and d0d0ng-now-a-registered-Republican???
Must be the chip on the motherboard, right, d0d0ng?
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:37 am
I called myself an online war freak.
Dodong is an online Moro, while watching his hedge funds. WTF!!!
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:41 am
re: “Based on your aggressive blogpost-entries supporting terroristic separatist MILF, I thought your retirement thoughts will be for Mindanao. Talk about being seduced by the good-old-American way. You just moved to USA less than 3 years ago and you’re thinking of retiring in Sedona. But you sure that Homeland Security has already stopped listening to your phone conversations?”
BalikBangsaMoro is a travel plan not inconsistent with retirement in Sedona. Thanks for your concern, but I do have security clearance and it had been updated many times.
leytenian on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:42 am
President Apostate?
“His conversion, however, was a crime in Muslim eyes; it is “irtidad†or “ridda,†usually translated from the Arabic as “apostasy,†but with connotations of rebellion and treason. Indeed, it is the worst of all crimes that a Muslim can commit, worse than murder (which the victim’s family may choose to forgive).”
“That an Obama presidency would cause such complications in our dealings with the Islamic world is not likely to be a major factor with American voters, and the implication is not that it should be. But of all the well-meaning desires projected on Senator Obama, the hope that he would decisively improve relations with the world’s Muslims is the least realistic.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/opinion/12luttwak.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Let’s not take the ‘Sharia-accommodating’ position of the Archbishop of Canterbury – Please!
Uncritical multiculturalism has had its day. Universalism as one law of a secular and free democratic society based on modern conventions of justice and human rights is the only way to go.
Noel on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:43 am
now d0d0ng…. don’t misunderstand me. It is not for me to ask you to shut up, in fact, I am curious about your thoughts re hedge funds, where the US economy is going, peace-prospects in Lanao del Norte. Also what happens when Ilagas are fully-armed and start roaming again. I’ve seen blogs which said MILF’s scared shitless of Ilagas.
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:51 am
re: “Meaning of this, me and readers don’t get. Clarify, commenter should.”
In America, a candidate for high profile position is subjected to a very close scrutiny in various issues even minute details including personal life, and so is Gov Sarah Palin. The choice for such VP position underwent such rigid test before throwing into the public.
leytenian on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:59 am
Sarah Palin is perfect for McCain’s VP.
“She is known to religious conservatives for choosing not to have an abortion after learning that she was carrying a child with Down syndrome. “It is almost impossible to exaggerate how important that is to the conservative faith community,†said Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition. She gave birth to her son, Trig, in April.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/us/politics/29palin.html?hp
She is going to attract women, evangelists, catholics and people with disability.
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:59 am
re: “said okay/acceptable to Bravo-Kato village-burning plus murder-2-year-old-girl”.
Your statement is different from mine. Atrocities are realities of war and reprehensible. Anything can happen in war.
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 5:03 am
“In America, a candidate for high profile position is subjected to a very close scrutiny in various issues even minute details including personal life, and so is Gov Sarah Palin. The choice for such VP position underwent such rigid test before throwing into the public.”
OMG, such naivette and denial. And didn’t everybody and his aunt know this? But then again, there goes the double standard.
Obama lacked vetting, while Palin (God knows who, where, what, when, and how?) was subjected to intense scrutiny?
Now you see, jcc and glu gun: don’t take take your views and mine here seriously. I like KG’s take: nakukuwentuhan lang tayo dito.
leytenian on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 5:11 am
Barack Hussein Obama will not drill oil. This policy means dependency from others and will not stop oil speculators from speculating. Hedge fund? think about it. My opinion is based on the fact that speculative oil investing is one of the reason why oil prices have increased aside from just supply/demand and US dollar.
McCain’s policy is to continue to drill.
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 5:11 am
re: “I am curious about your thoughts re hedge funds, where the US economy is going, peace-prospects in Lanao del Norte. Also what happens when Ilagas are fully-armed and start roaming again. I’ve seen blogs which said MILF’s scared shitless of Ilagas.”
Historically, US economy picks up right after every presidential election. You read too much on MILF as scared of Ilagas which is better on the paper. In the background, it will help the muslim cause in a long protracted war of attritions and pressure the government (refugee problem, dislocations, millions of pesos running the war) to return to negotiating table.
Noel on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 5:15 am
to d0d0ng: I have no argument that what you say now is what you just said. But way earlier, my impression from your blogposts was that you looked without passion at the murder of the 2-year-old and that you also said that Malacang can’t do a thing about Kato and Bravo.
Apparently, your statement “GRP-is-powerless” is proven wrong because , if we believe the news, both Kato and Bravo are both hiding deadly-scared of the troops of the Republic-Pinas.
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 5:25 am
re: “Malacanang can’t do a thing about Kato and Bravo”.
That is true. In fact, MILF never surrender Kato and Bravo as demanded by GRP. The government had to hunt down the two and in process escalate the war with MILF which is good for the MILF.
supremo on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 5:38 am
‘Barack Hussein Obama will not drill oil.’
‘McCain’s policy is to continue to drill.’
leytenian,
what is wrong with drilling oil in your own backyard?
supremo on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 5:46 am
d0d0ng,
Hunting down Kato and Bravo is not doing anything? You are like the flexible slinky. Your ideas bend depending on other people’s comments. Puro palusot.
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 6:00 am
re: “GRP-is-powerless†is proven wrong because , if we believe the news, both Kato and Bravo are both hiding deadly-scared of the troops of the Republic-Pinas”.
GRP is powerless it has to resort to dropping bombs on “Kato/Bravo is here” targets which are duds. More pathetic, the major general has to tell the media that the military is running out of bombs and ammunitions than go with chain of command, maybe it could help expedite reorder from one year to 6 months knowing the supply line.
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 6:19 am
re: “Hunting down Kato and Bravo is not doing anything?”
That is the point of MLQ’s posting of “combination of bluster and appeasement” Palace respond to public hostility. It has to give the military generals their war though in limited sense. It is not wholehearted effort like Erap’s war. In boxing, the AFP is fighting with only one hand.
d0d0ng on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 6:39 am
GRP is powerless. The president is so frustrated that she has to fight different fronts at the same time. Her SolGen is denying her knowledge of MOA-AD to avoid ground for impeachment. She let her generals do a limited war so as not to appear as wimp. And she gave signal to moros for a deal in a different form. The intent is right in the initialed MOA-AD which is scrutinized by Justice Tinga in the non-derogation clause which protects prior agreements.
mindanaoan on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 6:57 am
“GRP is powerless.” pathetic name calling. maybe, you wish the MI has the advantage?
Noel on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 9:19 am
to d0d0ng: I reach a different conclusion than you as to who is powerless. It is the MILF central-command that IS powerless. Firstly, the MILF central command had been telling all its field commanders not to do anything that can derail the discussions between MILF and GRP. And what happens? Kato and Bravo disrespected the MILF chairman and all the “generals” and political-leadership of the MILF by striking anyway. And worse, instead of doing a mano-a-mano soldier-against-soldier attacking a Govt-Pinas military convoy or military camp, Kato and Bravo demonstrated the lack of discipline and lack of belief in Islam by them — Kato and Bravo — attacking civilians, burning villages… and the two-year old.
Practically all military-chains-of-command would have ordered Bravo and Kato to return to Central Headquarters to explain the events and clarify the chain of command, but the MILF leadership is powerless against the two insubordinate commanders.
And to d0d0ng… you would arrive at this conclusion without much difficulty…. you can double the number of soldiers under MILF and still they will be unable to push out the Govt-Republic-Philippine soldiers out of Mindanao. Then add the Ilagas, and the addition will even make it glaring. The MILF does not have what it takes to push away its enemies.
Where specifically does the MILF have extra-ordinary power? Then repeatedly the MILF wins when the MILF pits a combat brigade to do battle against a “camp” of 100 or even 200 civilian homes. Whoopee-doo!!!! Really impressive.
hvrds on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 10:00 am
Moros do not consider themselves to be Filipinos for a very good historical reason.
Spain and America created the Filipino mind construct. The cohesiveness of Muslim Mindanao with firmly established societal norms made it difficult for assimilation. The Moro’s fought it.
Hence their consciousness was never colonized like the other natives all over the islands.
It is also clear that part of the problem of this hybrid culture is the fact that a lot of people who read and write English do it as a second language. The language spoken at home amongst family and community is the mother tongue.
Spain did not allow the teaching of their language amongst the masses (Indios). Indigenios (indigenous)Even they made the distinction between the Moros and the Indios.
The Americans allowed it. For them the Indios became the coolies. So the Pinoy learned the language through the rote learning process.
That is why it appears that a lot of the pundits on this blog appear to have answers bordering on lunacy.
One even wrote down that there was no objective reality while saying that he was a Republican because the Republicans are anti-abortion.
That borders on lunacy. Just like saying that the President of the Republic did not know what she was going to sign through the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in that MOA-AD.
Language is history encapsulated. How many Pinoys would know what an end around, a safety blitzkrieg, power sweep or What the Field of Dreams is all about.
The African American experience is an integral part of American history.
The only original art form widely recognized to come out from America is black soul music. Unstructured and free of constraints.
However the only direct colony of the U.S. the Philippine islands did not figure much in the context of American history.
We became America’s laboratory for empire.
That is why the only colored group in the U.S. who are neo-rednecks and appear to support the Klan are the Pinoys.
grd on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 10:54 am
so dodong, you’re a democrat turned republican. i am surprised with the revelation. so, what is it you don’t like about obama?
hvrds on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 2:03 pm
John McCain the aging quarterback of the Republican team has just thrown what experts call a ‘Hail Mary” pass in his VP pick. She will stand a heartbeat away from the Presidency if he wins. As everyone knows the rigors of the office requires both physical stamina and strong intestinal fortitude.
Both McCain and Obama must be ready to be sacked again and again and stand up and continue to play for four years.
For varying reasons the VP choice in this years elections will take almost strategic relevance and importance.
The reason it is called a Hail Mary pass is because it is a desperation play.
It might turn out to be a brilliant play or an unmitigated disaster. Only time will tell.
He wanted to out headline Obama but there are still over two months before elections and four years into the term.
As the Chinese say these are certainly interesting times.
grd on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 2:19 pm
agree hvrds. your comment actually reinforced my observation about pinoys in general.
nash on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 2:25 pm
@hvrds
I do wonder why pinoys are still mostly republicans. back then (70s-80s) it was probably due to the filipinos involvement in the us military (some relatives are in the navy and they are staunchly republican).
Now it puzzles me what the allure of the republican party is for a new immigrant for example, especially one who spent lots of money and resources to be able to go to the usa via conventional means given that republican policies are hardly pro-immigration (or even anti-travel!)
Could it indeed be simply because of the religious fundamentalism of republicans??
nash on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 2:28 pm
“It might turn out to be a brilliant play or an unmitigated disaster.”
It’s mainly a gimmick.
But it is indeed very entertaining. There is much joy and celebration at the bible belt.
mindanaoan on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 2:51 pm
“How many Pinoys would know what an end around, a safety blitzkrieg, power sweep or What the Field of Dreams is all about.”
only few. and those who understand them are smart, those who don’t are poor lunatic sods.
inodoro ni emilie on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:36 pm
“Govt drops MOA in all forms.”
“Govt cancel ZTE deal”.
We have a government that is the equivalent of a street flasher. Now you see now you dont.
hvrds on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 3:45 pm
Now from the most trusted man in America, an experts view of why John McCains pick for VP is correct for America.
Hope you have video and audio. You can advance it to the 10th minute of the interview show.
Women should take note…..
http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=183517
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 4:20 pm
4 Marines killed, 10 hurt in Abu Sayyaf ambush in Sulu
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view/20080830-157727/4-Marines-killed-10-hurt-in-Abu-Sayyaf-ambush-in-Sulu
Despite denails by MILF, the two groups had a tactical alliance all along.
If MILF got th MOA-AD, the ASG would demand its own special kidnap-for-ransom zone.
BrianB on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 5:10 pm
Just let the ILAGA lose. May mga traidor dyan sa military.
anthony scalia on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 9:07 pm
glu gun,:
“TOWARDS WHERE?”
Forward
leytenian on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 10:34 pm
Wrapped in the Flag: MOA-AD agreement
4. The relationship between the Central Government and the BJE shall be associative characterized by SHARED authority and responsibility with a structure of governance based on executive, legislative, judicial and administrative institutions with defined powers and functions in a Comprehensive Compact. A period of transition shall be established in a Comprehensive Compact specifying the relationship between the Central Government and the BJE.
5. In the context of implementing prior and incremental agreements between the GRP and MILF, it is the joint understanding of the Parties that the term ‘entrenchment’ means, for the purposes of giving effect to this transitory provision, the creation of a process of institution building to exercise shared authority over territory and defined functions of associative character.
“The MOA-AD seems to be going in this direction, which is just as well for redressing historical grievances and imbalances. Perhaps, a best effort at an “associative relationship†should be made and be given a chance — before all concerned consider other options.”
http://blogs.inquirer.net/voxpopuli/2008/08/14/bje-and-independent-statehood/all-comments/
Noel on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 10:38 pm
cvj will like this one!!!!
From the REAL most intelligent media station of the United States, on why Obama will lose the black vote.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/portrayal_of_obama_as_elitist
nash on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 10:39 pm
speaking of national territories/sovereignity:
Italy agreed to pay Libya $5 billion as compensation for its 30-year occupation of the country ending in 1943, the Libyan foreign minister told reporters Saturday…. “It is a material and emotional recognition of the mistakes that our country has done to yours during the colonial era,” Berlusconi told reporters at the airport on his arrival.”
hhhmmmm, how can we make singil the Japanese and the Americans for ‘board and lodging’ too?
leytenian on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 10:41 pm
Federalism is a system of political organization based on a constitutionally guaranteed balance between SHARED rule and SELF-rule.
nash on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 10:47 pm
@noel
das funny…
on a side note
It’s funny how the US media uses the word ‘elitist’ for Obama. I would have thought that in a country that prides itself with being meritocratic (follow the ‘american dream), ‘elitist’ cannot be used in the negative context/connotation with Obama because he got where he is today by hardwork. Despite difficult circumstances he went to Harvard Law (not such a bad school, i heard)
In contrast the word ‘elite’ would have negative connotations for persons like, say Escudero or Zubiri, or the Mindanao “Royals” who got where they are today mainly by accident of birth and patronage.
cheers
PS.This is in no way an endorsement of Obama, McCain pa rin!
PSI on Sat, 30th Aug 2008 11:54 pm
A pro-underdog elite/elitist? That’s a New England liberal ala Kennedy. Well, the ways of Harvard rubbed on Obama. The Afro-American scholar in the video pointed out the new iconic figure for the black people has arrived.
As hvrds stated, the afro-american heritage is an integral part of America’s history. It’s about time a black leader becomes president. Then next will be a Latino. And then hopefully, a Fil-Am.
Or am I dreaming that a Pinoy will become prex of the U.S. of A.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 12:10 am
Federalism and Privatization of Iraq:
Iraq signs $3B oil deal with China: It was the first time in more than 35 years that Iraq has allowed foreign oil companies to do business inside its borders.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/08/30/iraq.china.oil.deal/index.html
PSI on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 12:38 am
leytenian,
I also like Federalism if only to kick-start economic development in the outlying regions. Less control and bureaucratic from imperial Manila. As I commented before, Ten or eleven State Presidents/Premiers who are more focused that a multi-tasking, scandal-prone (whether real or imagined) unitary President , and outside the control of the 24 (dis) honorable/distinguished senators (ready to be president from day 1).
Worrisome are duplicate costs from redundant functions. In any move to a Federal government, there should only be one house in parliament.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 1:53 am
There are about 21 senators who lives in manila. They represent many regions in the provinces of Mindanao and Visaya. There’s no direct accountability. The governors and the congressmen are not enough to represent their people. A senator must reside within the region he/she represents. Direct supervision and being close to the people they represent has been lacking with our current unitary system . The Senate is a drag to our economy. It must be decentralized and allow individual state / regions to elect their own senator who lives and resides within that region/state.
lood an jud ang imperial manila. our current unitary system is a dictatorship type of system. Worst than communism. It’s a monopoly of power.
nash on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 2:52 am
“It’s about time a black leader becomes president.”
Ew, that’s not a sign of progress if we just take turns, itim ngayon, bukas kayumanggi naman….and so on.
He should get it because he deserves it and not because he is black.
But I guess it will take a loooooooooooong time to finally banish this meaningless concept of ’skin colour’ or ‘tribe’.
Kaya naman in our own national elections all you have to do to win is capture 2 o3 3 of the major ethnolinguistic groups. Just say your grandfather is Ilocano and your mother is Cebuano and your father is from Pangasinan and that you grew up in say Pampanga – panalo ka na…
Out of curiosity, do you still look at Michael Jordan as a “black” basketball player or just a basketball player?
cheers
PSI on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 3:06 am
nash,
ano ka ba? you’re not hearing me.
the best qualified candidate. and incidentally, btw, (and all the qualifiers), he’s also afro-american
double cheers!
nash on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 3:15 am
yes, but it doesnt have to be mentioned at all, we all can see he physically black, ayt.
grd on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 3:28 am
nash, he’s the best candidate yet McCain pa rin.
nash on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 3:37 am
siempre mccain pa rin! because this means sarah palin CAN be president when he dies in office! imagine a religious fundaMENTAList for usa prez! it’d be so entertaining.
bush is a tough act to follow in terms of the gaffes we all enjoy.
grd on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 3:44 am
nash, i agree. palin the best choice.
grd on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 3:59 am
the fight is really between the vp’s. they say if obama wins he’ll get assassinated for being black and a muslim (as insisted by leytenian) . while if mccain wins, he will not last long and his vp is expected to take over soon. very entertaining indeed.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 6:26 am
I am a business owner. Obama’s policy is to tax corporation higher. How I am going to sustain and employ more people if most of my bottom goes to corporate taxation? This Hussein Obama must be out of his mind. He is discouraging entrepreneurship in this country.
This is politic and yet many people even my employees do not understand the consequences of his policy. Once My company will be taxed higher, I can tell you now- I will remove people out of job because I could no longer afford the expenses. The incentives of being an employer is not Obama’s policy. This Obama guy provides me no business comfort at this time. The uncertainty of his skills to deliver and execute policies reflect the fact that he’s only been a Senator of 2 years. The rest of his time has been spent campaigning to become the first black President.
McCain on the other hand will provide incentives by providing extra budget to supplement corporate expenses towards healthcare benefits for employee sponsored plan. That to me make sense and will provide assurance to my employees about their healthcare needs. McCain will even maintain lower taxation to both individual and corporation.
Apply this example to all small, medium and big corporations in the USA….. what will happen if employers are tax higher? What about the salary of individual employees.
Noel on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 6:31 am
An American of Hispanic parents will be the next minority to be President of United States. And Harvard seems to have an inside-track on producing minorities with excellent leadership skills. Exhibit : Alberto Gonzales.
hvrds on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 6:46 am
The philosophical father of the Democrats is Jefferson. While the Republican side is Alexander Hamilton. One was a belief of bottom up source of power and the other top to down belief system of power.
I do not know for sure if Pinoys generally who have become American citizens have registered themselves more as Republicans than Democrats.
However the culture of being coolies or dependency is still embedded amongst Pinoys. They would almost always vote or go with their masters. Feudal cultures are the foundation of hegemony. First as plantation or farm workers then navy stewards and then later the professional class.
The wave of pinoy immigration to the U.S. came only after LBJ made it possible in the late 60’s. Like Australia in the past colored people were severely restricted in being allowed to become immigrants to the U.S.
The struggle for civil rights and voting rights paved the way for these changes to happen.
Pinoys therefore owe a debt of gratitude to the African American struggles for equality and to LBJ.
Essentially Pinoys and these truths that are self evident are still separated by years of cultural agreession that distorted the belief system of the natives of these islands.
To draw an analogy when Malate was the center of adult entertainment in the past there were a lot of Malate blondes who inhabited the funspots of the area. The American navy ships sometimes used to dock in Manila and navy men in thier whites used to roam Malate.
A lot of people forget that Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the U.S. and the people of the island are American citizens but cannot vote in the U.S. elections. They also pay no federal income taxes. Once a Puerto Rican becomes a U.S. resident he can vote.
To draw an analogy when Malate was the center of adult entertainment in the past there were a lot of Malate blondes who inhabited the funspots of the area. The American navy ships sometimes used to dock in Manila and navy men in their whites used to roam Malate.
The pinoy culture of not being able to say no is still embedded and the culture and concepts of individual freedom and challenging authority is still frowned upon in contrast to the American culture of fighting city hall as a God given right.
Here in the islands the Pinoy is still brainwashed to believe that we are ruled by rulers who are there by the grace of God.
Our best model for a politician is today a priest turned governor who made it by the slimmest of margins.
We have to learn how to turn our goulash of cultures into an advantage by remembering that more cohesive states will simply swallow us whole.
KG on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 7:40 am
“Meaning of this, me and readers don’t get. Clarify, commenter should.”
epekto ba yan ng kapapanood ng star wars!
hey,master Yoda!
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 7:40 am
hvrds,
“Pinoys therefore owe a debt of gratitude to the African American struggles for equality and to LBJ.”
Utang na Loob: The Filipino practice of ‘utang na loob’ (debt of gratitude) probably came out of this attitude, the idea that we need to return whatever someone has done to us with another favor. This practice of returning favors has very often been pinpointed as the cause of many of society’s problems.
There is a local saying: ‘Ang Hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay Hindi makararating sa paroroonan’, which means ‘One who does not look back to where he started will not get to where he is going.’ It has been used by many politicians to get votes in return for personal favors.
Powerful businesses have also used it to support candidates who would later legislate in their favor. And this ultimately destroys the very essence of politics, which should be looking after the common good and not just the interests of a few.
I don’t think the utang na loob to the African-American strugges for equality should be reciprocated by voting Obama. For US pinoys, to reciprocate is to follow the rules and be good citizens. Public Debt of gratitude has nothing to do with US elections. Your “debt of gratitude thing” is too filipino.
Thank you for reminding me.
KG on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 8:47 am
Mabini is in ermita not in malate.
KG on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 9:01 am
“The pinoy culture of not being able to say no is still embedded and the culture and concepts of individual freedom and challenging authority is still frowned upon in contrast to the American culture of fighting city hall as a God given right.”
Look what happened to mayor lim, when he was challenged by an erap boy.
glu gun on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 10:24 am
Anthony Scalia
“TOWARDS WHERE?â€
Forward.
So your frame of mind is that going forward is always the better option.
If that is so, forward could also mean SUICIDE.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 11:47 am
talking about debt of gratitude:
for those of you who are voting for Obama, you should return the tax refund money to the government. you have a debt of gratitude to the republicans for cutting your taxes low and even giving you tax refund this year of over $650.You probably have sent it to the Philippines to help your family.
If you want to receive another refund next year then you should consider voting for McCain… ( smiling)
Noel on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 12:11 pm
leytenian: are you a registered Republican?
supremo on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 12:12 pm
Most Fil-Am immigrants start as Democrats and became Republicans later in life. Those who remain Democrats became either elected officials or welfare recipients.
Master Yoda on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 12:23 pm
KG, my Galactic Basic language pardon you should.
Support Obama, us Pinoy jedis should. Fil-Am jedi masters must galactical alliance have, with the Hispanic wookiees. This done soon, before white storm troopers strike back.
supremo on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 12:32 pm
Most Fil-Am immigrants start as Democrats and became Republicans later in life. Fresh from the boat, they were told that the Democratic Party is the party of immigrants. As their life improves, they realized that their work ethic is more Republican than Democrat. Those who remained Democrats became either elected officials or welfare recipients.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 12:35 pm
Noel,
“leytenian: are you a registered Republican?”
Yes.
grd on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 1:00 pm
leytenian,
so, either it’s obama or hillary who got the nomination, you wouldn’t have supported any one of them being democrats. in short it’s the party’s policies you are against.
Master Yoda on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 1:34 pm
A Fil-Am community leader, Mr. Rawlein Soberano , former SBA official, articulating the real situation of racial prejudice in the U.S.
“Voters, including Filipino Americans, who cannot bring themselves to elect a person of color for president. He said he just recently uncovered this, and was “appalled at the racism among some Filipino Americans.”
http://www.malaya.com.ph/aug30/news7.htm
hvrds on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 2:01 pm
“I am a business owner. Obama’s policy is to tax corporation higher. How I am going to sustain and employ more people if most of my bottom goes to corporate taxation? This Hussein Obama must be out of his mind. He is discouraging entrepreneurship in this country.”
It is nice to try to give oneself importance. I doubt very much if the clueless one is in the top income tax bracket.
Income tax rates in the U.S. as per Barack Hussein Obama’s proposal will increase for those with a taxable income of Php 250K + per year. U.S. income tax rates are based on a progressive scale. The more you make the more you pay. Corporations have a lot more tax breaks and tax shelters than ordinary individuals.
Over 90% of American will not be affected.
Corporations that invest on capital goods still get their write offs and the accelerated depreciation. That creates domestic jobs. However if anyone would like to export those jobs and still get tax breaks from the federal government forget about it. That will hit American corporations who outsourced their jobs overseas while getting tax breaks from the Federal government. Ouch!!!!
Over 90% of American will not be affected.
They will also review the capital gains structure that allowed the mavens of wall street to get billions in compensation from the corporations they were running which was more than the combined losses so far from the financial crisis.
That means the republican parties buddies who had a orgy of income generation during the last four to five which was more than the loses that the corporations they were running will no longer be able to socialize their loses while getting away with the billions.
It is so funny to see attempts to smear this guy Obama with his own middle name.
An icon of American culture is a guy with the first name name Mohamed.
hvrds on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 2:04 pm
Mabini is in ermita not in malate.
Last time I was in the area Mabini and M.H. del Pilar ran from Kalaw to Quirino. Both streets run right by the famous Malate Church.
hvrds on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 2:15 pm
Two Republicans so far have been responsible for ballooning the U.S. Federal Debt. Reagan and off course Bush 43. He has increased the national debt by an amount that is more than the combined debt since G.Washington.
My pinoy sense of “utang na loob” really will always be grateful to him for technically bankrupting the empire.
It is an anomaly that the most autocratic states on the planet are now giving life support to the citadel of democracy.
They should have taught the Russians and Chinese a lesson by putting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on receivership and defaulting on the loans held by the former Cold War enemies.
Why does not McCain pull the plug on the debt paper held by the Chinese and the Russians????
OOOOPs if he did that he would have to raise taxes…..Ouch!!!!!!!!!
Kalaban naman sila!!!!!!
anthony scalia on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 8:22 pm
glu gun,
“So your frame of mind is that going forward is always the better option.”
its always the better, no, best option
“If that is so, forward could also mean SUICIDE.”
?????????????
please let me know how going forward can also mean SUICIDE. staying stagnant is SUICIDE
grd on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 8:28 pm
hvrds, your first paragraph is quite funny. by the way, I think you’re referring to USD250K and not Php.
I think leytenian is misinformed about obama’s economic policy goals. but the fact is, she dislikes obama for being a “muslim†and not about his economic goals. mukhang nagpapalusot lang. her attitude and that of one self-proclaimed republican anti-abortion advocate are more in line with Master Yoda’s below post:
as I’ve earlier said, this I’ve long observed w/ many pinoys not just among fil-ams.
Master Yoda on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 8:49 pm
The great game of geopolitics is still on. And many nation-states and territories, including our very own Mindanao, are their playgrounds.
George Soros, iconic head of the London-based financial oligarchs, is backing Barack Obama for POTUS. He once brought down his own adopted country’s Bank of England, sponsored Georgia’s Rose Revolution, and had a big hand in Asia’s financial crisis in 1987 (claimed by Malaysia’s Mahatir)
His latest projects: bringing down Iran (?), return of Anwar Mohammad to political power (almost a win), toppling the military junta in Myanmar (?), power play in Georgia (a disaster), etc.
The aim of Soros’ group is to contain the power of China and Russia. The currrent hostilities in Mindanao is a play to prevent China from consolidating its power in the region.
Sounds incredible? But true.
Master Yoda on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 9:08 pm
And, according to plan, the Philippine government is now seeking the help of Soros’ boy, former PM Tony Blair to be peace mediator in Mindanao.
Poor Esperon. The good general does not realize he is just being used as a pawn in this big game.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 9:23 pm
Obama’s Record of Voting for Higher Taxes Equals Failed Judgment.
“While hardworking families are hurting and employers are vulnerable, Barack Obama has promised higher income taxes, Social Security taxes, capital gains taxes, dividend taxes, and tax hikes on job creating businesses. In fact, during just three years in the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama has already voted 94 times for higher taxes. Barack Obama doesn’t understand the American economy and that’s change we just can’t afford.”
“[Obama] Wants To Raise Taxes Even Above The Levels Of The Clinton Era, Including A Huge Increase In The Payroll Tax.” (Editorial, “The Obama We Don’t Know,” The Wall Street Journal, 6/4/08)
CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo Asked Obama: “Why Raise Taxes At All In An Economic Slowdown? Isn’t That Going To Put A Further Strain On People?” (CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” 3/27/08)
The 35 percent bracket on incomes over $349,700 would jump to 39.6 percent.” (Andrew Taylor, “Presidential Hopefuls To Vote On Budget,” The Associated Press, 3/13/08) Obama will start taxing at $250,000. He consider this income belongs to the rich… Obama is clueless just like hvrds. To me i’m still broke.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 9:25 pm
“Hvrds said, over 90% of americans will not be affected”
let’s see if you are correct:
The Democrats’ Budget Would Raise Taxes On Individuals Earning As Little As $31,850. “Under both Democratic plans, tax rates would increase by 3 percentage points for each of the 25 percent, 28 percent and 33 percent brackets. At present, the 25 percent bracket begins at $31,850 for individuals and $63,700 for married couples. The 35 percent bracket on incomes over $349,700 would jump to 39.6 percent.” (Andrew Taylor, “Presidential Hopefuls To Vote On Budget,” The Associated Press, 3/13/08)
In The Illinois State Senate, Barack Obama Had A Record Of Voting For Higher Taxes
In The State Senate, Barack Obama Supported “Hundreds Of Tax Increases.” ABC’s Terry Moran: “[O]bama was considered a reliable liberal Democratic vote in Illinois. For instance, voting for most gun control measures, opposing efforts to ban so-called partial birth abortions and supporting hundreds of tax increases.” (ABC’s “Nightline,” 2/25/08)
http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/288542838.html
Noel on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 9:38 pm
Who are Obama’s friends?
I don’t even think he can call himself a drinking-buddy of Hillary. And Obama can’t be swift-boated because there are no military veterans he had served with!!!!
Master Yoda on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 9:45 pm
From Wiki:
“On BookTV, November 12, 2007, Soros said that he supports Barack Obama for the Democratic candidate in the 2008 election, but says that John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, or Joe Biden are all fine candidates, as well.”
Its still playing out well according to the game plan.
grd on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 9:51 pm
leytenian, read this:
“Closing Income Gap Tops Obama’s Agenda for Economic Change.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/us/politics/02obama.html?pagewanted=2
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 9:57 pm
hvrds,
on 90% of americans will not be affected by Obama’s tax policy… you are so wrong. but i am open to listen to your opinion to why you agree with Obama’s policy.
on:
“They should have taught the Russians and Chinese a lesson by putting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on receivership and defaulting on the loans held by the former Cold War enemies.
Why does not McCain pull the plug on the debt paper held by the Chinese and the Russians????”
this is going to be a matter of who can deliver ” trade and foreign policy” . that’s something we can discuss next year. (google for the term constrainment)
History, it is said, rhymes rather than repeats. Bretton Woods 1 broke down because some key governments weren’t willing to import inflation from the US. Bretton woods 2 has survived — even intensified — the subprime crisis because many emerging market governments have preferred importing inflation to currency appreciation. China seems more worried about textile job losses than inflation, negative real returns on household deposits or the risk of financial losses on its (large) holdings of Agencies.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 10:05 pm
grd,
not sure if NY times is a fan of Obama…
President Apostate:
That an Obama presidency would cause such complications in our dealings with the Islamic world is not likely to be a major factor with American voters, and the implication is not that it should be. But of all the well-meaning desires projected on Senator Obama, the hope that he would decisively improve relations with the world’s Muslims is the least realistic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/opinion/12luttwak.html
Master Yoda on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 10:09 pm
And the coup de grace: Soros’ group stage-managed London boy Georgia’s president Saakashvili to stir up trouble in the Caucasus, bringing in meddling U.S.of A., who have two unfinished wars by the way.
And candidate McCain spews out strong words. He claims he knows foreign policy but may be a Vietnam vet, but my dear, being a POW is so far from the great game. He is definetely clueless.
Well, its in the same way that that jerk Fox TV host said VP aspirant what’s-her-name Pilan knows foreign policy because Alaska is neighbor to Russia. What the heck?
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 10:18 pm
it’s politics by the way. we should not kill each other. My vote will always be for Republicans.
statistic shows: Obama is up 8 points from female voters while McCain is up 6 points from male voters on rassmussen report…
Picking Palin is a strategic decision.
Master Yoda on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 10:27 pm
Simple jedis comprehend not, Leytenian’s last post. Explain, commenter should.
leytenian on Sun, 31st Aug 2008 11:11 pm
Master Yoda,
On Palin,
Women swing voters: Democratic Presidential Nomination found that 36% of voters nationwide say they are certain to vote for Obama in November and 34% are certain they will vote for McCain. That leaves a very significant 30% who are not certain to support either of the presumptive nominees.http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/30_of_voters_could_change_their_mind_between_now_and_election_day_56_are_women
“There have been significant changes in perception of John McCain in the two days of polling since he named Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. Since then, 49% of Republicans voice a Very Favorable opinion of McCain. That’s up six percentage points from 43% just before the announcement. Also, 64% of unaffiliated voters now give positive reviews to McCain, up ten points since naming his running mate.”
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
Palin herself made a good first impression and is now viewed favorably by 53% of voters nationwide. Her counterpart, Joe Biden, is viewed favorably by 48%. While Palin has made a good first impression, the more significant numbers will come a week from now after the nation has a chance to learn more about her.
Palin will make US history as the first Woamn VP and Obama will make US history as the first Black President of which is really his intention. That intention is purely ” utang na loob and debt of gratitude to his ancestors” lol..
nash on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 1:36 am
ang baba ng tax sa usa ha.
kaya naman hindi librea ang ospital at college tuition.
baka naman obama needs the tax money to pay for the war?
nash on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 2:01 am
It’s often said that we pinoys engage in ‘personality’ politics.
Now that I’ve seen Sarah Palin’s speech, aba pati rin pala mga Kano
Sarah rambled on and on and on about her husband, kung ilang taon na sila kasal, kung ano ginagawa ng anak niya…blah blah blah and all these personal things that are irrelevant…and she ended her speech with “I god bless you all”
nash on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 4:44 am
“Under both Democratic plans, tax rates would increase by 3 percentage points for each of the 25 percent, 28 …..”
The projected USA deficit for next year is ~$500B
My naive tambay sa kanto analysis
1. Don’t increase tax (or even better, say you are going to cut tax) = Pogi points but in reality, you are just prolonging the agony. Eventually someone has to pay if not you, it will be your children. If not them, it will their children.
2. The republicans have found a way to plug the deficit. (Langis sa alaska? More WMD sales to rogue nations? Take some of Iraq’s money? Maybe Sarah Palin can pray to God who will give her $500B in one dollar ‘in god we trust’ bills? Where, saan kukunin ni McCain ang pambayad sa deficit??)
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 6:28 am
It is very difficult to have a disscussion with pundits bordering on lunacy.
The Pinoy “utang na loob” is based on an economic base of very little choices and that is why it is called a neo colony and neo feudal society. Your life and limb is dependent on patronage.
The struggles of the Afriacn Americans in the U.S. was the opposite. They fought to be given equal opportunities from the neo-slave status.
Hence the influx of colored immigrants benefitted greatly from that opening and increased choices of opportunity.
Then the issue of Bretton Woods. Replacing gold with the U.S. dollar effectively repudiated the U.S. debt in gold. You simply print ,money without any base of production.
So the U.S. has the commanding heights in international trade.
Those countries like China and India who have stringent capital accounts are actually practicing economic sovereignty over their fiscal and monetary policies. Hence they are politically more independent in making economic and political policy choices.
On the level of a nation state that is what freedom is all about. But that is possible becuse they are economicall developing with a sort of “China Wall” versus economic colonization. They get to choose.
The U.S. economy has had to pay for all their military advances and had to become a strategic debtor to the world. All that military advances which had also resulted in technological advances has moved the U.S. in the red. It is now called an Empire of Debt.
It obviously is unsustainable. Rome fell because it’s emperors had to pay in silver for its mercenary armies. They started shaving off the content of silver and that is the basis for monetary inflation.
Maintaining empire is expensive. The global economic imbalances caused by the U.S. consuming more than it is producing is slowly moving the U.S. downhill.
The U.S. national debt with the continuing addtional deficit spending plus the trade deficits have to be financed by someone.
The world is now realizing that the international system is close to collapse.
Unless the U.S. changes its culture of consumption and puts its fiscal house in order the world will be facing a once in a lifetime crisis again.
War will become necessary to break the deadlock.
The ultimate form of demand destruction is warfare.
Trade becomes a zero sum game.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/magazine/17pessimist-t.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin
“The United States, Roubini went on, will likely muddle through the crisis but will emerge from it a different nation, with a different place in the world. “Once you run current-account deficits, you depend on the kindness of strangers,†he said, pausing to let out a resigned sigh. “This might be the beginning of the end of the American empire.â€
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 6:29 am
From Forbes Online
Croesus Chronicles
Shiller’s Subprime Solutions
Robert Lenzner 08.25.08, 6:00 AM ET
“A general bonfire is so great a necessity that unless we can make of
it an orderly and good-tempered affair in which no serious injustice
is done to anyone, it will, when it comes at last, grow into a
conflagration that may destroy much else as well.”
So wrote John Maynard Keynes in 1919 after the disastrous Versailles
peace conference. Provocateur par excellence Robert Shiller uses the
passage to open his new book on the subprime mortgage crisis, The
Subprime Solution: How Today’s Global Financial Crisis Happened, and
What to Do About It. The analogy is as simple as it is frightening.
From the start, Croesus can almost hear the flames crackling.
The Yale economist has made investment bubbles his field. He is also
an expert on housing (he is the Shiller of the S&P/Case-Shiller Home
Price Index). In this book, he provides the ignoramuses on Wall
Street, asleep-at-the-switch regulators and dumbfounded investors
worried about their savings with a stark insight to digest over the
last two weeks of summer: “We as a society do not understand or know
how to deal with speculative bubbles.”
This crisis, believes Shiller, “is a historic turning point in our
economy and our culture. … The forces unleashed by the subprime crisis
will probably run rampant for years, threatening more and more
collateral damage.”
Ordinary citizen investors and savers “see once-trusted economic
institutions collapsing around them. Once again, they feel that they
were lied to–fed overly optimistic stories that encouraged them to
take excessive risks,” he writes.
Shiller goes beneath the surface of the write-downs and the bailouts
and the fines and the litigation to ask whether “the social fabric is
indeed at risk and should be central to our attention as we respond to
the subprime crisis.”
The social fabric–the trust people have for their institutions and
their investments in them; read Citigroup, Merrill Lynch, UBS, Lehman
Brothers, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac–is being challenged. These
institutions paid their senior officers more money than they have
written off in bad paper on their books. Everyone wanted to emulate them.
“To be truly revered, one had to be a smart investor as well. … A life
as an investor has become more than a means to an end; it is an end in
itself,” Shiller writes.
The bubble in real estate, like the bubble in the stock market,
transformed our culture into an expectation that everyone could be a
mover and shaker in capitalism. And cable-TV business shows promoted
that dangerous way of thinking. Yet the truth is that unchecked
financial innovation works poorly in asset markets.
The solution, suggests Shiller, is to make policy changes that will
“inhibit the development of bubbles, stabilize the housing and larger
financial markets, and provide greater financial security to
households and businesses.” He proposes a Home Owners’ Loan Corp., as
established during the New Deal in 1933, that would make credit
available to home buyers, especially if Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are
crippled. The HOLC could accept mortgages as collateral for loans to
mortgage lenders.
In the short term, Shiller says, bailouts are necessary. A cascade of
failures could make the subprime crisis a disease that continues to
spread throughout the entire economic system.
Croesus, too, fears that the time required to get an HOLC up and
running will be protracted. Rather, the Treasury Department should
immediately restore confidence in Fannie Mae’s ability to guarantee
mortgages. It could buy some of Fannie Mae’s publicly owned
securities, which would de-leverage the agency. That would support the
securities held by China, Japan, Russia and every commercial bank in
the U.S., which treat their agency holdings as Tier 1 capital. Mutual
funds like PIMCO’s have 61% of their portfolio in agency securities.
As there isn’t time to privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Croesus
feels the Treasury should use its newfound powers to bail out these
two giants temporarily to stem a further sharp decline in housing prices.
“The purpose of the bailouts should not be to maintain high values in
the housing market, the stock market or any other speculative market,”
Shiller says. “The essential purpose is to prevent a fundamental loss
of economic confidence in our institutions and in each other, and to
maintain a sense of social justice.”
From Bloomberg
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aqu59cnYfsFY&refer=columnist\
_pesek
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=ae3IuR_DTCc0&refer=home
kg on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 7:58 am
“Mabini is in ermita not in malate.
Last time I was in the area Mabini and M.H. del Pilar ran from Kalaw to Quirino. Both streets run right by the famous Malate Church.”
OK, mabini and del pilar start in ermita and it reaches malate.(Quirino Avenue)
but I would not know, if the blondes reach the malate area.I keep on forgetting our age gap, I only rely on stories ,and the song Magdalena of Freddie Aguilar,you might have seen the real stuff.
unless strict ang parents mo.
Now the area is out of the fun spots,napalitan na ng mga boarding houses for transients,money changers and some restaurants, and bars.HVRDS,are you still stateside?kasi baka nasa pinas ka na sayang lang yung tinype ko.
KG on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 8:39 am
Leytenian,
I always try not to disturb you,pero paistorbo ulit.
Di ba parati mong napapansin ang mga utang ng pinas.
Ang pambayad sainterest ng inutang natin ay kinuha sa tax at ang pambayad sa principal ay inuutang ulit.
maaring iba ang sytema sa tate,pero parang ganun na din.
madami ding utang ang tate(pinakamalaki sa buong mundo)
wag mong sabihin sa akin na iba dyan iba dito.
Yang bailouts na yan sa taxes din mapupunta yan.
yang pambayad sa utang sa taxes din mapupunta yan.
pag di tinax ang mga big corporations saan kukuha ng pondo ang gobyerno Utang ulit.as the taxman says, there are two things you can not escape:death and taxes.
yun lang death can be replaced by debt.
KG on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 8:44 am
makikisawsaw na din dyan sa US elections na yan.
pag Experience ang pinagusapan:if the others side says your VPcandidate has no experience,they will counter your are worse off,your presidentaila candidate has no experience and our candidate has experience in running a state.
KG on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 8:56 am
your presidentaila candidate
edit to :your candidate for president.
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 9:02 am
From probably the most trusted man in America….
On why Americans are generally “stupid”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/arts/television/17kaku.html?scp=1&sq=Is%20Jon%20Stewart%20The%20Most%20Trusted%20Man%20in%20America&st=cse
http://www.tomdispatch.com/p/tdvideo/shenkman06302008
http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/174951
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 9:19 am
“Now the area is out of the fun spots,napalitan na ng mga boarding houses for transients,money changers and some restaurants, and bars.HVRDS,are you still stateside?kasi baka nasa pinas ka na sayang lang yung tinype ko.”
Pumasyal ka sa Japan, Malaysia, Dubai, Hongkong at Singapore. Naging export model na ang mga Malate blondes. At kung medio tisay ang kutis mo masmahal ang singil. Inalis ni Mayor Lim ang mga club diyan kasi kalaban sa mga lugar sa Ongpin. Kaya lumipat sila sa Makati. At pinalayas na ang base militar nang mga kano.
Di mo ba alam yang ang export model ni Almonte. Kasi ang industriya nang Pilipinas ay nakasentro sa ber, gin and sigarillyo di siyempre yung resulta ay yung service sector ay naka base sa aliwan. Ngayon papasok na diyan ang sugal.
Matindi ang kasaysayan nang Pilipinas na nakatale sa mga negosyo na galing sa pagsakop nang Pinas nang kano.
Mag beer muna kayo sa Barangay Ginebra.
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 9:34 am
Major difference between the Pinas and the U.S. as far as foreign debt is the fact that the U.S. has a foreign debt in its own currency.
We do not have that luxury. Kaya our vaginal economy is part and parcel of our export model.
My favorite lunatic economist Bernie Villegas once suggested that Filipina women should be encouraged to marry Japanese men to reverse their negative birth rate.
The Japanese government is slowly moving to allow children born from Japs and foreigners citizenship.I wonder if Pinoy entrepreneurs will have the gumption to open entertainment centers (CLUBS) in Japan to compete with the Japanese. Maybe Pegasus and the other like it could export their business model overseas owned by Pinoys.
The Pinay is unique in Asia because she is a mis-mash of Western and ethnic tribal cultures. That is what makes her hot to a lot of foreigners.
Don’t you notice the most popular cultural events all over the islands are beauty contests.
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 9:50 am
More from thought leaders —-
August 31, 2008
Economic View NY Times
Is History Siding With Obama’s Economic Plan?
By ALAN S. BLINDER
“CLEARLY, there are major differences between the economic policies of Senators Barack Obama and John McCain. Mr. McCain wants more tax cuts for the rich; Mr. Obama wants tax cuts for the poor and middle class. The two men also disagree on health care, energy and many other topics.”
“Such differences are hardly surprising. Democrats and Republicans have followed different approaches to the economy for as long as there have been Democrats and Republicans. Longer, actually. Remember Hamilton versus Jefferson?”
“Many Americans know that there are characteristic policy differences between the two parties. But few are aware of two important facts about the post-World War II era, both of which are brilliantly delineated in a new book, “Unequal Democracy,†by Larry M. Bartels, a professor of political science at Princeton. Understanding them might help voters see what could be at stake, economically speaking, in November.”
“I call the first fact the Great Partisan Growth Divide. Simply put, the United States economy has grown faster, on average, under Democratic presidents than under Republicans.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/31/business/31view.html?_r=1&em=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print
Alan S. Blinder is a professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton and former vice chairman of the Federal Reserve. He has advised many Democratic politicians.
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 10:10 am
The awesome powers given to capitalist to control the banking system has almost always resulted in unmitigated failures.
How does government choose which side or degree of the regulatory spectrum to initiate policies and programs.
The executive under Congressional oversight is in charge of fiscal policy and currency. The Central Bank is supposed to act as the ultimate check and balance versus abuses in fiscal policy through monetary policy.
Ultimately even oversight over central banks are exercised by the legislature in theory.
That is okay in domestic national economies theoretically. What happens when finance capital goes global in unregulated markets.
There is no global government yet existing to impose regulations.
Would you trust Villafuerte and Bunye with your savings????These two political hacks of GMA sit on the Monetary Board.. They both have a fixed tenured position.
More on some theories from dead philosophers that are so relevant in these interesting times.
” I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.”
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1802)
3rd president of US (1743 – 1826)
“The theory that can absorb the greatest number of facts, and persist in doing so, generation after generation, through all changes of opinion and detail, is the one that must rule all observation.â€
Adam Smith
leytenian on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 11:22 am
KG,
you are right about US debts, it will eventually be paid by the tax payer but in many ways. US has many options.
for example: healthcare budget can be capped, clinton did this during his term. as a healthcare professional during his time, I lost my job as a physical therapist in 1997. It took me another year to start my own and venture into business. The rest of my friends were very depressed and some even filed bankcruptcy and have ruined their credits. clinton also cut the budget for national security. for example, he closed almost 3 military bases in florida, not sure how many all over the states. that’s how the democrats balance the deficit at least in my observation during my stay here.
if obama will win, he will cut the budget for healthcare… hillary clinton propose it as Universal healthcare. It means healthcare for all but reimbursement for service will be cut up to 30%. I have a feeling that many of my relatives who remains to be in the healthcare field will definitely be affected due to salary reduction or may actually lose their jobs. in terms of foreign policy, Obama will pull out of Iraq sooner as he always say to cut expenses. Both policies will eventually balance the budget deficit.
As for the republicans, it’s policy is to support corporation to grow and employ more people. Full employment will collect taxes and decrease government spending on healthcare costs as employer will supplement and provide healthcare benefit to its employees. Or thru investment like Iraq privatization of its oil resources,trade and many more.
Both parties have its own agenda. what’s obvious to me is the agenda of democrat to cut healthcare budget . This will hurt our many nurses, doctors here in the US. For those philippine nurses who are planning to come may not be able to come. The ripple effect of losing income and employment in the healthcare industry will decrease OFW remittances. This is my opinion but i have always been prepared and i trust my instinct.
leytenian on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 11:38 am
Cash is king… It’s in Medicare and Medicaid.. Cutting healthcare costs will balance the deficit but will hurt very many… For those of you who have relatives, let them prepare if Obama wins.
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 11:49 am
How does a state capitalize its own central bank with more debt and expect the central bank to be independent?????
Opinion
Core
By Benjamin E. Diokno
Window dressing
“Budget numbers are not always what they appear to be. And for an administration that is obsessed with balancing the budget during her watch, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will no doubt explore all possible means to fudge fiscal numbers in order to show lower spending and higher revenues than what they actually are.”
“The most recent move to window dress the fiscal numbers is the decision of the government to float bonds to recapitalize the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). For those who are unfamiliar with the issue, as part of the monetary reforms in the early 1990s, recall that the financially distressed Central Bank was replaced by BSP.”
“But as part of the reform, and in order to ensure the independence of BSP, the national government is obligated to capitalize BSP by P50 billion. After the initial P10-billion capitalization of BSP in 1993, succeeding administrations have failed to appropriate in the national budget the remaining balance of P40 billion.”
Story Location: http://www.bworldonline.com/BW082708/content.php?id=144
hvrds on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 12:01 pm
“Cash is king… It’s in Medicare and Medicaid.. Cutting healthcare costs will balance the deficit but will hurt very many… For those of you who have relatives, let them prepare if Obama wins.” The lunatic fringe……
Metaphorically a lot of women still have not found their G-Spot. That would really equalize them with the guys.
A lot of women still prefer the caressing of the lower sphincter muscle. Hence they prefer to be sodomized. But that is an expression of power on the part of the male species.
I have always believed that if you educate a woman you will eventually educate the world. However a lot if not a majority of women remain to be educated.
They have to somehow find their G-Spot …..
That would be a more worthwhile endeavor than trying to put forth lunacy……
Noel on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 12:29 pm
Misuari says :
mindanaoan on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 6:30 pm
“By March 18, 2009, our forces in MNLF Armed Forces shall reach 300,000 strong” – ango-ango
nash on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 6:49 pm
“it’s policy is to support corporation to grow and employ more people.”
how??? low tax, big deficit, high interest rates.
nash on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 6:52 pm
“thru investment like Iraq privatization of its oil resources,trade and many more.”
HOY, please lang, that is IRAQ’s Money! The usa has no right to take that to plug their deficit.
Master Yoda on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 7:18 pm
Is America ready to elect a black president?
I’d like to give the Americans the benefit of the doubt, but the way tags are being obliquely hurled, e.g. connection to radicals, terrorist, Muslim, etc, DOUBTFUL.
Wonder what would they have thought if he was instead named Lee Roy White or Mickey Wright Brown?
UP n on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 8:09 pm
to Master Yoda:
The answer is “yes” to the question “are there still Americans who will only accept a male Caucasian as their president?” but that is the wrong the question. For November 2008, the better question really is “…will enough of the voters of the United States of America” elect Barack Obama?
Bencard on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 9:35 pm
master yoda, there was also a terrorist named tomothy macveigh, and a taliban named walker.
Bencard on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 9:49 pm
nash, you think sarah palin’s speech was “personal politics”? what about obama’s speeches and videos about his family, his parentage, his boyhood, played ad nauseam in the media? prejudice stems from ignorance. in america, you usually have to know a candidate before you vote for him, unlike there in the philippines where, most of the time, all one needs is a bayong of cheap groceries.
nash on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 10:22 pm
@bencard,
yes all of them. ironically it is mccain who does not speak too much of his family life. he never mentions his son in the military.
nash on Mon, 1st Sep 2008 10:54 pm
HONOR
“Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, whose popularity plummeted after his government introduced a much-criticized medical plan for the elderly, has announced his resignation, according to media reports”
And he resigned mainly because he was unpopular!
Wow, GMA has outlasted, lemme see, 4 japanese PMs!
To think GMA is the liar and cheat…(forget about her unpopularity…)
leytenian on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 4:00 am
hvrds,
“Metaphorically a lot of women still have not found their G-Spot. That would really equalize them with the guys.
A lot of women still prefer the caressing of the lower sphincter muscle. Hence they prefer to be sodomized. But that is an expression of power on the part of the male species. ”
hahahaha.. love matters the most. the G-spot topic is only good for young couples with very little experience in bed. I do believe that experience women should guide their men for ultimate sexual happiness. lol
leytenian on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 4:11 am
AFTER MUCH THINKING I AM VOTING DEMOCRAT
I’m voting Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.
I’m voting Democrat because freedom of speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.
I’m voting Democrat because when we pull out of Iraq , I trust that the bad guys will stop what they’re doing because they now think we’re good people.
I’m voting Democrat because I believe that people who can’t tell us if it will rain on Friday, CAN tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don’t start driving a Prius.
I’m voting Democrat because I’m not concerned about the slaughter of millions of babies so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.
I’m voting Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as it (Democrats)
sees fit.
I’m voting Democrat because I believe three or four pointy headed elitist liberals need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would NEVER get their agendas past the voters.
I’m voting Democrat because I believe that when the terrorists don’t have to hide from us over there, when they come over here I don’t want to have any guns in the house to fight them off with.
I’m voting Democrat because I believe that no borders should exist and I think it would be a good idea to learn another language (or two).
I’m voting Democrat because I think everyone should have health care and not have to pay for it.
I’m voting Democrat because I believe oil companies’ profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn’t.
I’m voting Democrat so we can fold all Mexican citizens into our Social Security and Medicare programs free gratis as a carbon credit and atonement for our glutinous consumption of the world’s energy.
winks****
UP n student on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 7:07 am
The latest news is that Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is 7-months pregnant. What a surprise this is to the McCain staff!
KG on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 7:17 am
HVRDS,off topic pero medyo nakapasyal na din sa dalawa sa sinabing mong lugar.
(disclaimer:what I willl tell you ,is nothing new)
Sa HK malalaman mo pag hawak ng triad ang babae,pag inahit nila ang armpit nila,hawak sila ng triad;yun ay mga instik.pero pag pinoy since sanay na sila mag ahit ng kilikili di pwedeng qualifier ang armpit.
mas madalas domestic helper ang tingin sa pinay.There was a story that sharon cuneta was blocked by customs dahil ang dami nyang biniling giordano nung time na yun, ang giordano pang pinay dh; akala dh smuggler sya.
sa singapore naman,mas maganda pa ang mga taga SM, sa mga intsik na naduon.
sad story about the pinay,.
But white slavery is not limited to the pinays.
I just watched the movie “Taken” starring Liam Neeson.
in that case a rich white female almost got sold to an Arab, the thing is; it was the protagonist’s daughter. Liam neeson was a combination of james bond and wesley snipes in that film.
hvrds on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 9:53 am
“But white slavery is not limited to the pinays.
I just watched the movie “Taken†starring Liam Neeson.
in that case a rich white female almost got sold to an Arab, the thing is; it was the protagonist’s daughter. Liam neeson was a combination of james bond and wesley snipes in that film.”
Not a movie but the poorer eastern European countries (including Russia) are actually sources of the vaginal economy into Europe toady.
Pero in almost all of Asia the Pinay rules….She has got attitude…..
MLQ3 call or support for the legalization of prostitution and raising sex to an accepted social form of relaxation is noteworthy. A lot more Pinays at home would get to experience orgasm from their husband and the debate on birth control would shift to the issue of the chauvinist culture of the Filipino male rather than issue of population control.
Most women would like the State to intervene in equalizing the power of women to say no -indirectly. to their own husbands.
Tax Joven on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 10:40 am
leytenian : Under our unitary system the efforts to promote local autonomy since the 1950s have reached a dead end, because of the reluctance of most national political leaders to decentralize the powers of the national government. The centralization of power enhances their power and control over the local communities.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
It’s clear. You are for local autonomy. It’s good. That’s what we need. We need local autonomy, not federalism. I know you’ll ask, isn’t federalism local autonomy by itself? Think again. Federalism will free us of Imperial Manila. Right! But in its place we will have States! From one collar to another!
Here’s how it is in mathematical terms using Senator Pimentel’s formula, 20/80. How much of this sharing will actually go to the LGU’s? Ony 56%! 24% of the whole pie will go to the new collar. Federalists term for it is State. Imagine how much would go the LGU’s if we simply decentralize without going through States and a cha-cha? Imagine that we can do it now because we can. It’s the only practical way to defang Gloria and her successors whoever they may be. It’s the shortest path to people empowerment.
I agree with your analysis. The main stumbling block is the national leadership or Congress. It simply won’t part with much of its powers. But what makes Senator Pimentel and other federalists think it would have a change of heart as soon as it is formed as a con-ass? Nor would a con-con be necessarily more generous! I hear words like vigilance, rallies and letters… anything to create public pressure. But if we can do it for federalism, why can’t we do it for plain and simple local autonomy? No need to create States. No need for a cha-cha.
Part of the Peace Process is to NOT TO CHANGE OUR UNITARY REPUBLIC TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. No to CHACHA…
The serious weaknesses and disadvantages of our unitary system exist only because we are not decentralized enough.
Our unitary system could be more sensitive to our cultural diversity than federalism could ever be. What does federalism promise to do? Create states on the basis of religion or ethnic groupings? It is the surest formula for trouble. Did the ARMM solve the problem? On the other hand, local autonomy would deal with tribal problems by provinces and towns. RA 8371 tells us how. In federalism we will still have to grope for the rules.
Federalism will lead us into the realm of the unknown, while in local autonomy all we need is political will, a genuine concern for our less privilege brothers, not for those who point their guns at us. We can do it. RA 8371 tells us how. Federalists diagnosed the problem accurately. It’s the prescription that doesn’t fit.
Local autonomy emphasizes respect for the socio-cultural diversity of the people and seeks national unity in city and provincial diversity. It promotes national solidarity and cooperation in governance, nation-building, modernization and development.
Local autonomy emphasizes local self-rule and self-reliance in governance, based on the principle of subsidiarity. This means that decisions should be made at the lowest possible level where the problems can be solved.
While local governments are designed to be autonomous, the national government provides assistance to the various LGU’s, especially the less developed ones.
Bakit ba hindi natin harapin agad ang tunay na pagbabago? Bakit kailangan pa nating sumayaw ng CHACHA?
leytenian on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 11:39 am
Tax Joven,
“It’s clear. You are for local autonomy. It’s good. That’s what we need. We need local autonomy”
True . Yet there are about 21 senators who live in Manila representing the provinces. That’s not local autonomy in terms of governance. Its too centralized, don’t you think?
Pimentel’s proposal on 80/20 is fiscal federalism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiscal_federalism
There are many types of Federalism. The Philippines can develop its own unique model of federalism based on the various models that have been adopted by other countries.
http://www.kas.de/proj/home/pub/69/2/year-2002/dokument_id-3228/index.html
“Bakit ba hindi natin harapin agad ang tunay na pagbabago? Bakit kailangan pa nating sumayaw ng CHACHA?”
Decentralization of power for local autonomy can be effected only through amendments of the Constitution.–Chacha…
Tax Joven on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 1:16 pm
Psi, compared to a province or a city, a State is hardly the entity that could kick-start economic development. For one thing, how many years will it take for a State to be able to walk on its two feet? For example, what economic progress has ARMM initiated since its birth? Yes, there will be less control and bureaucratic red tape from imperial Manila, but more of it will take place in the States!
You worry about duplicate costs and functions? You must worry more about 75 Senators and 350 Congressmen! Worry about 10 or 11 set of bureaucracies instead of only one!
Leytenian, in a highly decentralized system Senators are almost a redundancy. They may be allowed to concentrate on national and international affairs, rather than on parochial matters which the LG officials can very well take care of. You said that the “senate is a drag to our economy.†So, why create more of them? If we move to unfamiliar territory we would be squandering the lessons learned from past mistakes. We know that our unitary system is not perfect, but at least, we know why it is not so. The problem is half-solve if we know what it is.
I think we are already spending too much for legislation. Do you know how many artesian wells could be built with the amount used to maintain one municipal or city councilor? How about Senators and Congressmen? So much expense! All for what?
Tax Joven on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 2:47 pm
Leytenian: There are many types of Federalism. The Philippines can develop its own unique model of federalism based on the various models that have been adopted by other countries.
Comment: Let’s vote for federalism now. Talk about the type later. Isn’t this rather reckless? Why don’t we, instead, explore how far we could go with local autonomy under the present Charter?
Leytenian: Decentralization of power for local autonomy can be effected only through amendments of the Constitution.–Cha
Comment: What is your basis for saying this? We have a LG Code. Is that the limit on how far we can go with local autonomy? Does our Charter say we can’t go 40/60? Or even 10/90?
nash on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 5:09 pm
“he latest news is that Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter is 7-months pregnant. What a surprise this is to the McCain staff!”
Surprise ba yan eh immoral nga ang condom eh. So natural lang na mabubuntis.
nash on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 5:11 pm
“I’m voting Democrat because I believe that no borders should exist and I think it would be a good idea to learn another language (or two).”
That’s already a reality in Schengen Europe.
And maybe soon, we ASEAN nations will remove our borders to allow free movement of peoples.
Hay naku, I can’t help it. I’m so socialist.
Master Yoda on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 8:25 pm
Before becoming mayor, Ms. Sarah Palin was a member of the Alaska Indepedence Party, seeking Alaska’s separation from the federal union of the USA. Apparently, she was vetted her for four days without asking questions from a single Alaskan official.
Talk of judgement.
UP n student on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 8:42 pm
but Master Yoda: for over 5 years 1967 to 1973, John McCain was not in a position to ask questions from Alaskan officials, much less have a Miss Alaska beauty contestant to chat with.
Master Yoda on Tue, 2nd Sep 2008 8:49 pm
From The Telegraph of UK:
“The party has lobbied since the 1970s for the right to hold a referendum on whether Alaska should secede from the United States. Its motto, “Alaska First”, contrasts sharply with the John McCain campaign slogan: “Country First.”
It seeks “the complete repatriation of the public lands, held by the federal government, to the state and people of Alaska” and aims to be “self-sufficient” by using profits from Alaskan oil and gas resources. It claims that the vote held in 1958 which led to Alaska becoming the 49th state of the US was corrupt and did not offer a proper choice.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/johnmccain/2667214/John-McCains-running-mate-Sarah-Palin-was-in-Alaskan-independence-party.html
Renato Pacifico on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 6:18 am
You guys are better off discussing foreign politics than domestic politics. Foreign politics are more discernable and predictable.
In Philippine politics, well, it depends who got the highest bid on coin-operated pekeng-periodistas.
What these idiots publish is not what it seems.
Good! Stick with foreign politics reported by PROFESSIONAL JOURNALIST. There you can have a informed decision.
leytenian on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 6:50 am
Tax Joven,
“Talk about the type later. Isn’t this rather reckless? Why don’t we, instead, explore how far we could go with local autonomy under the present Charter?”
Of course, we can explore. Constituinal amendments or Chacha has been proposed by Ramos. How long do we need to explore?
“The first Charter change attempt on the 1987 Constitution was under former President Fidel V. Ramos. Among the proposed changes in the constitution included a shift to a parliamentary system and the lifting of term limits of public officials.”
“Under President Joseph Estrada, there was a similar attempt to change the 1987 constitution. The process is termed as CONCORD or Constitutional Correction for Development”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_Change#Charter_Change_under_Ramos
Tax Joven on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 8:19 am
Leytenian,
I think my questions are clear enough. Why you diverse isn’t.
UP n student on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 8:44 am
to renato : like you say, sometimes, it looks like one has to read what Christian Science Monitor, Newsweek or UK Herald Tribune say about Pinas events (after reading deQuiros, Ellen Tordesillas, Q3 or Randy David) before one has enough to form an opinion about the Pinas events.
TonGuE-tWisTeD on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 9:00 am
The discussions above zigzagged between the Mindanao MILF and McCain’s MILF turned VP bet.
I didn’t expect such “kababawan” in packaging Palin for a post a heartbeat away from the most powerful one on the planet. Don’t the Republicans have guys like benign0? A TV personality/ex-beauty queen is a rising star in politics – Pinoys have been there.
And if you saw how McCain stole glances at his newly-proclaimed running mate, doubters would probably better understand why the old man is pushing for drilling in Alaska.
TonGuE-tWisTeD on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 9:50 am
“Five kids? Does anyone in that party understand the concept of pulling out?” – Bill Maher
nash on Wed, 3rd Sep 2008 11:19 pm
@tongue twisted
ok lang, kahit sampu pa anak niya. palin and family are also oilie traders so can afford sila.
remember, the republicans support big business..
TonGuE-tWisTeD on Thu, 4th Sep 2008 9:04 am
Oh, I haven’t heard about their oil trading, what I’ve read is that the hubby is a blue-collar worker who competes in snowsports. Also read that they, as husband and wife, are partners in a one-boat fishing outfit. But who doesn’t fish in Alaska?
The reason I posted it though is because I was ROTFLMFAO with Maher’s quip.
But seriously, it’s like, c’mon McCain, aren’t there any better choices?
I agree with you on the republicans seeming desperate to bring it to the level of personal politics and I see it as baiting the Dems with Sarah and her pregnant teen daughter, sexism, and family issues. Obama wisely and timely declared the pregnant kid hands-off.
I also share your sarcasm on giving the nuclear strike codes to pro-life but also pro-gun Palin.
Tax Joven on Thu, 4th Sep 2008 1:29 pm
Federalism does not guarantee local autonomy. A State can be more pervasive and domineering than Imperial Manila.
Fiscal federalism is not just for federal forms of government. It also applies to unitary systems.
It is not true that amendments to the 1991 LGC require a cha-cha. The present charter does not set a limit to how far Congress can go with local autonomy.
Federalism will not spur economic development. LGU’s are the proper venue for it. States will only provide more red tape.
Federalism will not solve the Mindanao problem. It will only aggravate it. Ancestral domain is not about politics or religion. It’s economic, stupid!
Federalism is expensive. The estimate given by the Primer is made by an engineer who wants his clientele to renovate a house. Wait till the bills come in!
It will take years before a State can be operational. Here’s what the primer says: “the type of federalism suited for the Philippines can be determined only through discussion, consultation and debate among our people. The Philippines can develop its own unique model of federalism based on the various models that have been adopted by other countries.â€
Federalism complicates a simple solution to our problems: decentralization.
leytenian on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 7:24 am
Tax Joven,
How do you solve the issue of 6.6 million underemployed in the agricultural sector…
Causes within our current system:
LACK OF GLOBAL MARKET ACCESS:
• Non-tariff barriers on export of banana and pineapples to some countries
• Discriminatory tariffs on export of canned tuna to EU
• Lack of bilateral fishing rights to support domestic tuna industry (Palau, PNG, FSM, and Kiribati – all Pacific countries)
• Inability to respond to increased volume demands (e.g. centralized governance, individualism, elitism and unwillingness to team up with competitors)
WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION
• Irregular payments to various government agencies
WEAK ENFORCEMENT OF CONTRACTS & LAWS
• FAVORITISM in decisions of government officials
• Judicial interference
• Weak enforcement of property
Why the Philippines presented such a perverse record of multipliers from agricultural growth is a complex story. An important part of the story is bad macroeconomic policy that caused concentration of investment in capital-intensive industries, particularly those located in metropolitan Manila. That pattern of development resulted in very little employment growth and starved the rural sector of the capital and institutional structures necessary to take advantage of growing rural incomes. Other factors, including the structure of land tenure, also played a role.
Let the people of Mindanao manage their own crops and let the people of Leyte enhance our production. ( byt the way, Leyte is number 3 supplier of rice in the nation.
Your 80/20 or 90/10.. is only about money. Let’s not go there. Imperial Manila will actually on its advantage if those 6.6 million underemployed in the agricultural sector will be employed. Allow your mind to imagine how much individual income taxes the Federal government will collect from employment? Federalism for me will increase employment in the agricultural sector.
leytenian on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 7:42 am
tax joven,
my key point is starvation and centralization of financial resources…
“That pattern of development resulted in very little employment growth and starved the rural sector of the capital and institutional structures necessary to take advantage of growing rural incomes. Other factors, including the structure of land tenure, also played a role.”
please think about the poor and the underemployed…
let’s do the numbers: 6.6 million x 1000 pesos of income taxes collection… let’s just say a year… how much is that for central government… Federal , I mean. This could at least help pay our debts and you guys can build your north rail… I have no problem with that. we are all filipinos… whatever manila has is our pride too but let’s not ignore inequality and poverty.
common tax joven… please hear the other side of the story. the other side are our very poor. our current system is not working. It’s not sustainable.. income tax are federal revenue. The people’s disposable income from employment will provide revenue to its local cities and local businesses thru property tax and other form of tax that the city or the region collects…
My opinion is not for me. I am pro-poor just like Gloria. If Federalism remains to be negative in your opinion.. so be it.
leytenian on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 7:50 am
FEDERAL MINDANAO; Land of Promise – Land of Jobs
http://mindanaworld.blogspot.com/2006/05/federal-mindanao-land-of-promise-land.html
TonGuE-tWisTeD on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 4:51 pm
That – Mindanao is the land of promise – is so old it is passe.
It’s just saying there’s huge potential…but no kinetic. But so are all the other provinces.
And only federalism will give mindanoans 6 million jobs that cannot be achieved under the present system?
filAm Democrat : on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 10:40 pm
tOnguE-TwisTED: The entire Philippines is a land of promise. Has been then, still is now, with every child born (and boy!!!! does the Philippines ever pro-create) a potential OFW able to compete with Singaporeans, Spaniards, Canadians or Brits on their home turfs.
justice league on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 10:49 pm
Leytenian,
Your idea of “6.6 million x 1000 pesos of income taxes collection” is interesting.
The income tax exemption was recently raised with claims that it formalizes the total tax exemption of about 500,000 minimum wage earners.
Your claim that these 6.6 million underemployed workers in the agricultural system will pay 1000 Pesos in income tax each therefore means that their income will be higher than the new income tax exemptions.
So how much annual income are you purporting these underemployed workers will be getting under your federal set up?
justice league on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 10:53 pm
Leytenian,
Revised.
Your idea of “6.6 million x 1000 pesos of income taxes collection†is interesting.
The income tax exemption was recently raised with claims that it formalizes the total tax exemption of about 500,000 minimum wage earners.
Your claim that these 6.6 million “formerly” underemployed workers in the agricultural system will pay 1000 Pesos in income tax each therefore means that their income will be higher than the new income tax exemptions.
So how much annual income are you purporting these underemployed workers will be getting under your federal set up?
Tax Joven on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 4:32 am
Leytenian:
Instead of allowing Leyte to receive money directly from Imperial Manila through legislation, you want it to pass through a State which would deduct 30% of the amount. After freeing your province from the clutches of the Central Government, you place it at the mercy of a State.
Even before you have created the 6.6 million jobs, you are already thinking of taxes for the new bureaucratic layer! You did not even bother to tell us how your States can generate those jobs.
A book on the ills of our government means nothing unless it is tied with our advocacy. So it is with a list of benefits. We all agree that our country is sick. It is in the prescription that we differ. I maintain that federalism is poison. Real local autonomy is the cure.
Two ways by which federalism will pull us down: the high cost of maintaining the states, and the breakdown of services as the new bureaucracies grope its way.
The 20/80 ratio in a real local autonomy means more money for LGU’s. It also means lesser control from Imperial Manila. With federalism, the LGU’s’ share will be immensely reduced, and the States will hamper their movements.
leytenian on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 5:37 am
Tax Joven,
Real local autonomy is the cure.
agree …. let mindanao manage and Visayas manage its own affair….local autonomy is the cure…
leytenian on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 5:49 am
hi justice,
it was only an example…. the 6.6 mil underemployed was taken on manolo’s next blog… on the economy. i was making an assumption that once this 6.6 underemployed will be employed … 1000 a year of income taxes — is only an example.
even if the 6.6 mil underemployed will not pay taxes, smaller businesses will prosper due to the disposable income that will be spent by the newly employed 6.6 mil within their barangays or cities… these smaller businesses will also employ other people …
the ripple effect of employment will increase revenue to our central government. I am not familiar of all taxes levied by our government.. but here’s a few:
small business license tax, tax on goods and services, property tax, individual income tax and many more…
justice league on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 6:41 am
Leytenian,
Then it’s probably best that you answer Tongue-twisted’s question yesterday (4:51 PM).
leytenian on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 7:33 am
Local autonomy: ( or independent state)
When local governance is characterized by devolution–implying a considerable degree of local autonomy from the centre, the exercise of power by elected local councils, and effective people’s participation–it is more likely that local authorities are responsive to local concerns rather than to the dictates of central government, and they are accountable to the local electorates rather than to government ministries and agencies. This mode of local governance that exists in representative local governments, self-help associations, and various cooperatives, provides greater power to local people who can influence the policies and programs of these local institutions and make them accountable for such policies and programs. In addition, since these local institutions usually enjoy greater fiscal autonomy in terms of appointing their own staff and having their own local sources of revenue and sharing certain revenues with the central government, they are less dependent on the center, and thus, have greater capacity to respond to the needs of local residents instead of being loyal only to the central government.
Our current system maybe like this…
When the mode of local governance is deconcentration–implying an extension of central government to the field administration based on the appointment of government bureaucrats at the local level–the accountability of local authorities is predominantly to the central government rather than local people. This relatively bureauctratized mode of local governance, as found in many developing countries, is characterized by the dominance of central bureaucracy over local representatives, limited financial and personnel autonomy of local authorities, their economic dependence on central government, and the lack of opportunity for peoples’ participation. As a result, the accountability of local authorities based on deconcentration is an accountability to the appointing authorities of central government rather than to the local communities. Although deconcentration as a mode of governance is quite conducive to the maintenance of strong central-local relations and coordination of various local institutions at the central level, such local governance often leads to excessive central control, local dependence, indifference towards local needs, and above all, the POWERLESSNESS of local people to make local authorities responsive and accountable to them.
please google search devolution, privatization, delegation, deconcentration, decentralization or intermediation…
Tax Joven on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 9:02 am
Leytenian:
Thank you for the absence of federalism in you latest post, but a vintage of the noxious word lingers: state. Otherwise, it is a scholarly work. Anyway, I’ll dwell on this for the sake of clarity.
Senator Pimentel says he is open to any proposal on the number of states. I suggest that we put up as many states as there are provinces and cities. Only we don’t call them states. We continue calling them as they are: LGU’s. This way, we can decentralize without the need for a cha-cha.
This, of course, is just the general idea. Congress will have to work out which functions to retain, and which to devolve. I believe this is Senator Pimentel’s forte.
What matters is that all devolved functions are duly supported by funding. What matters is that releases must be automatic or is not subject to the whims and caprices of powers that be. What matters is that we eliminate the creation of a useless layer of bureaucracy.
If we decentralize highly enough we would be able to clip not only Gloria wings and fangs, but also that of her successors as well. We will also be harnessing the energies that our system has stifled through all these years – stored in local civil societies and cooperatives.
It shall also be irrelevant where our Senators would be coming from or where they are based, because then, cities and provinces would be too busy minding their own affairs to be bothered by anyone’s antics. This is why urgent action is needed NOW.
Let me reiterate the fact that our Charter sets no limit to how far Congress may decentralize. In fact, it says that LGU’s must have a share in National Taxes, not just from internal revenue collections. Our problem is Congress, not the Charter. Members wouldn’t just part with their pork and perks. What are we going to do about it?
leytenian on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 10:41 am
tax joven,
“Our problem is Congress, not the Charter”
agree….
let’s talk about administrative significance, the delegation of task to others. senators who are not living in the region should not be qualified to run for office. Congressman and governors who are closely related by blood ( dynasty) are subject to conflict of interest.
this task should be the responsibility of comelec. To create rules , policy and procedures.
as i have mentioned before… there are about 21 senators who are currently from Manila:
Thus, it is quite difficult on the part of the central government to be responsive to such varying local needs and demands. In this regard, local institutions are in a better position to know the specific needs of local citizens and deliver appropriate (need-based) goods and services to them. It is this local knowledge and information possessed by local-level decision makers that enable them to carry out programs and provide services with a higher degree of responsiveness. Thus, for administrative convenience and effectiveness, many government activities and programs–such as building rural infrastructure, ensuring law and order, managing local schools, distributing agricultural inputs, and maintaining sanitation facilities–have been transferred to local institutions ( Senator must reside in that region) With these increasing responsibilities assigned to local authorities, there is an added importance to the realization of their accountability: they should be held accountable for performing these functions efficiently, providing necessary services to local communities, and satisfying the needs and demands of diverse social groups.
The proximity of local senators to the people makes them more effective than the centralized congress to deliver goods and services based on actual (local) needs, and as these local senators undertake more expansive responsibilities of delivering services and addressing local problems, it becomes more essential to ensure their accountability.
The political significance of local senators is accountability for a fair distribution of goods and services among various target groups such as landless and small farmers, underprivileged women, and ethnic minorities.
If one region is not doing well, the central executive can assist , modify or intervene with local affairs.
Tax Joven on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 3:25 pm
Leytenian: “The proximity of local senators to the people makes them more effective than the centralized congress to deliver goods and services based on actual (local) needs, and as these local senators undertake more expansive responsibilities of delivering services and addressing local problems, it becomes more essential to ensure their accountability. The proximity of local senators to the people makes them more effective than the centralized congress to deliver goods and services based on actual (local) needs, and as these local senators undertake more expansive responsibilities of delivering services and addressing local problems, it becomes more essential to ensure their accountability.”
Comment: I don’t think you are accurately depicting the job of Senators now, in federalism, or in a highly decentralized set-up (HDS). Anyway, in an HDS, shares of LGU’s are fixed by law. No need to haggle. No need to lick the asses of Senators or any else’. The function of Senators will be limited to law-making. Freed from parochial concerns, they can concentrate on national and international issues. Since they will not be concerned with fund allocation, it matters little where they come from or where they are based. Of course it might help somehow if Senators represent all the regions, but it’s not worth changing the charter for this purpose alone.
“The political significance of local senators is accountability for a fair distribution of goods and services among various target groups such as landless and small farmers, underprivileged women, and ethnic minorities.” Comment: I don’t know where you got this idea. If you want to reduce the functions of Senators to such petty concerns, please do not use it as an argument for federalism. You might not get the backing of even die-hard federalists because if local Senators do what you want them to do, that would be the end of local autonomy for LGU’s!
An equalization fund envisioned for federalism may also be adopted in a HDS.
justice league on Sat, 6th Sep 2008 11:41 pm
Leytenian,
With regards to your issue on “based on the appointment of government bureaucrats at the local level”; what local level are you specifically referring to?
With regards to your issue of “Congressman and governors who are closely related by blood ( dynasty) are subject to conflict of interest.”; there is already an anti-dynasty provision in the Constitution. It is Congress that doesn’t want to move and COMELEC can’t do anything about that.
leytenian on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 5:09 am
“It is Congress that doesn’t want to move and COMELEC can’t do anything about that.”
then remove congress. lol
leytenian on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 5:56 am
hi justice,
what i mean by remove is to decrease the size of congress.
labor costs are too high for some of those non performing officials. then maybe we can talk about federalism later in life. lol
justice league on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 7:50 am
Leytenian,
Hi.
Then you are going to have to cite proposals from the powers that are that they want the size of Congress decreased.
Most if not all recent proposals are for increasing the size (as per your idea on the labor costs).
Lol too.
Tax Joven on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 6:29 pm
Leytenian: “…decrease the size of Congress.”
Are you referring to the present Congress, or the ones proposed by Senator Pimentel?
Leytenian: “…maybe we can talk about federalism later in life.”
Whose life? Yours, Senator Pimentel’s or this administration’s? In the meantime, what? Shall we decentralize?
leytenian on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 9:34 pm
decentralize the senators… as i have said before, there’s too many of them who lives in manila. local autonomy can be best manage if senator is closer to the people.
11 states by pimentel? only need 11 or 22 senator. 1 or 2 each state. consolidate congressmen and governor . 3 or 4 congressmen and 3 or 4 governors .
for eleven state or local autonomy: we only need about 88 representative in the lower house. we will keep the mayors and barangay captains.
there are too many useless non performing representative of congress. we need senators with management degree or they need to get seminars for good governance. Quezon city mayor is a good example.
justice league on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 10:40 pm
Leytenian,
So essentially you’ll be for the dissolution of the Provincial governors and the provincial legislatures.
Well like I’ve said before, please do cite any proposals from the “powers that are” that are extremely similar to yours.
Those in power now have their own “ideas” on what the proposed Constitution (and with it the form/kind of government including local government) is to be.
If your proposal is different from the proposals of the “powers that are”, obviously those in power will push for their own and not yours.
Some years back, certain congressional members from Cebu (if I’m not mistaken) were proposing to split Cebu into several provinces (ranging from 2 to as much as 6). The proposal should it have been successful would have resulted in several more provincial governors, provincial legislatures as well as new Congressional districts.
Interestingly enough, many of those proposing the idea were on their last terms of office.
There were even proposals to divide Bohol into 3 and now Sen. Zubiri once proposed (when he was a Congressman) to divide Bukidnon into 2.
That just shows how different the idea of politicians from yours.
Tax Joven on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 3:04 am
Leytenian:
When you say “…decentralize the senators,” are you referring to the persons or the functions? Why put senators and congressmen in a state? Would they have the same functions? If not, how exactly would they differ? Why do you want to senators to get “seminars for good governance?” Will they act as executives, not as legislators? Will your state legislature have 1or 2 senators at the upper chamber, and 3 or 4 congressmen at the lower house?
You say, “…local autonomy can be best manage if senator is closer to the people.” Are you saying that senators will manage local autonomy? “Quezon city mayor is a good example.” Of what? Of a senator?” Please explain.
What do you mean by “…3 or 4 governors?” Are you saying that this much will seat with congressmen at the lower chamber? Or are you saying that only 3 or 4 shall remain after you dissolve some of the provinces?
I share justice league’s observation that you may have unique or original ideas which may be worth looking into.
Tax Joven on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 3:15 am
Leytenian, why do you want senators to “get seminars for good governance?” Are you aware that you may be espousing your own type of senators? Your own brand of federalism? How is it better than Senator Pimentel’s?
leytenian on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 6:22 am
Tax Joven
you are really serious about this..
Let’s focus on local autonomy. Mayors have direct access to information to the people- the needs of the people. They are the one’s who can assess the basic needs and infrastructure within a town or city. The lower house and upper house representative must also live within that region.
Let’s look on Philippines as a whole.. Break it down to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao..
Luzon may need 4 senators, Mindanao 3, and the Visayans 3..
To decrease the size of congressmen or governors, let’s use the model of pimentel – 11 states or region.
each region may need 4 congressmen and 4 governors.
That’s a lot of savings in terms of labor costs. The savings should then be used to finance and hire more personnel at the local level.- mayor’s office , senators office and congressmen.
Note: senators who will represent Mindanao should be a resident of Mindanao. the same in the Visayas. Decentralization
not sure.. if congress would want this..
seminar on good governance? why not… to manage or represent a region requires economic background, financial background, statistics, engineering, waste management, agriculture , tourism, real estate , human rights, and many more..
leytenian on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 7:06 am
we have so many ideas but the problem is implementation. implementation has a process, technique and preparation. it requires man power, talent, skills and experience.
pimentel has a good idea but he may be lacking the right tools of presentation to implement. chacha has been proposed by Ramos, Estrada and now Gloria. No one has been able to implement it. it could also be that some people are dragging the process?
leytenian on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 11:04 am
a short seminar. lesson from washington congress
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0FJhOMc-vA
justice league on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 1:19 am
Leytenian,
“not sure.. if congress would want this..”
Well that was quite honest and quite telling also.
Still, you spoke of accountability in one of the posts above. How are you planning to assert it anyway?
leytenian on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 2:39 am
Hi Justice,
we should have policies and procedures for every plan or policy prior to implementation. Policies will include job description including incentives for good governance and penalty for bad results. There should be a framework to follow and that is the procedures that must be followed.
For small business, a good example is the franchise of Jollibee. Joliibee has a constant set of rules, regulations and policies. Thats the reason why Jollibee is the most successful franchise in Asia. It’s really just a cut and paste from the top all the way to the bottom. Implementation should start by educating the top and the bottom almost at the same time. For accountability in terms of financial management, a complete financial statement – profit and loss projection in 5 years, 10 years and 20 years. This way when our economy adjust, repair or inflate… financial management can easily accommodate, adjust and project. Pimentel’s proposal do not include the financial implication. That to me is not good after all… lol
Rules and Regulations must be respected by our Justice system. It must follow the penalty required for those who manage a project, a city, a region poorly.
justice league on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 3:07 am
Leytenian,
In your Jolibee analogy, I think you are detailing the basis (But why profit and loss projection instead of actual profit or loss?) to be used for their accountability but I think you left out how you are going to hold them accountable.
Tax Joven on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 5:14 am
I have discussed this earlier. My proposal calls for a revolution, no less. Congress must be pressured. Otherwise, all this talk would be useless. But first let’s agree on what to fight for, instead of fighting each other for what we want.
This will be a repetition of what I’ve said before. Either I’m not making myself clear, or nobody is listening. There is no need to create States! All the goals of federalism will be achieved simply through local autonomy. All we need to do is go to our City Mayors and Governors. They can do the job intended for States!
There’s no need for us here to discuss fiscal policies and procedures. It’s all spelled out in the 1991 Local Government Code. If we want Local Autonomy, all we need is to amend this Code. The output may be called a highly decentralized set-up (HDS) in our unitary system.
An HDS is what this country needs.
Unless we go HDS, any change in leadership will be useless. We will always have Gloria, and LGU’s whose potential are barely tapped.
.
leytenian on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 9:32 am
Hi justice,
accountability to me is carrying out the task as set forth by the policy and procedure. it also means carrying out the responsibility of the job that needs to be done WITHIN a time frame.
Projected profit and loss is very important for any entity. Forecasting and financial projections are prospective financial statements that present an entity’s expected financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in future periods under two different conditions. Financial forecasts assume that the entity will continue to function in the manner in which it is currently functioning.
Actual profit and loss is the present financial health of an entity. For example, On pimentel’s proposal… Income statement is the start-up financial position of our government. If the statement is leaning towards more expenses, then it must also consider alternative management strategies and prepare capital and operating budgets; they must also consider alternative funding and cash budget possibilities. Preparation of actual profit and loss statements will attempt to predict the outcome of Pimentel’s proposal in future periods.
Any new proposal is like starting a business- it is standard in management to prepare a plan including marketing/advertising ( like educating the people first or educating the congress first) on why we need to do the plan. What’s the benefits?
Congress will probably will not listen and very few will agree because the benefits of our proposal ( for example) will no longer be favorable towards their own personal interest. I thought they applied for the job as politicians with a job description of ” PUBLIC SERVICE”
leytenian on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 9:39 am
In my own projections on labor costs alone, the government will be in a positive position if we decrease the size of congress.
In my understanding , Pimentel’s proposal of 11 states requires 6 senators per state.. there you go… I can calculate that his proposal is very expensive. The six senators may not be equipped with knowledge on how to increase revenue such as increasing employment within that region. I may agree with his Federalism but his proposal requires a higher level of presentation. A better plan can be done and he can actually be called ” the Primer” if he really knows what he’s doing? lol… hahaha
leytenian on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 9:43 am
Tax Joven,
I am for local autonomy, I am also for federal states but only 1 senator per state, maybe 3-4 governors and congresmen per state.
as i said before, the revenue of our country is smaller that Orlando and Miami. Both city of Orlando and Miami is only run by a mayor. we don’t need useless congress.
Tax Joven on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 2:44 pm
Leytenian,
You want 2 senator per state, maybe 3-4 governors and congressmen per state? You want to create states just for these people? What will they do? Are you sure you know what you’re saying?
Maybe you should stick to US affairs where you seem to be an expert. At least there, you can do no harm.
leytenian on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 9:25 pm
Tax Joven,
whatever you say… you might need to gather help from the provinces, from the media, NGO,s and other groups to pressure congress.
It’s not what I want. It’s what other’s want. You might need to convince the “others ” who may do ACTUAL harm.
justice league on Wed, 10th Sep 2008 10:00 pm
Leytenian,
Well you could have included what happens when the task as set forth by the policy and procedure has been carried out or not. Or when the responsibility of the job that needs to be done has been done or not been done WITHIN a time frame.
Will you just depend on profit and loss projections or at the end of the road you are going to go to the actual profit or loss to determine whether you are going to hold those concerned accountable?
And when you stated “Policies will include job description including incentives for good governance and penalty for bad results.”
and
” Rules and Regulations must be respected by our Justice system. It must follow the penalty required for those who manage a project, a city, a region poorly.”
what incentives and penalties did you have in mind?
You wrote about 5 year, 10 year, and 20 year profit and loss projections. What if the loss projections actually occur. Will those concerned be held accountable for their management which resulted in losses that they projected anyway.? Will it be considered as managing poorly?
“Congress will probably will not listen”- again quite telling.
leytenian on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 5:05 am
hi justice,
“Congress will probably will not listenâ€- again quite telling.”
that’s the main problem… then we will need some collective effort to weaken the decision making of congress. as tax joven said, people’s power to target congress not Gloria.
leytenian on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 5:11 am
“You wrote about 5 year, 10 year, and 20 year profit and loss projections. What if the loss projections actually occur. Will those concerned be held accountable for their management which resulted in losses that they projected anyway.? Will it be considered as managing poorly?”
it depends. if losses are incurred on financial statement due to infrastructure expenses that could potentially spur economic growth in the near term may not be subject to penalty. It depends of how one manage the people’s money.
there are many strategies out there.
justice league on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 7:08 am
Leytenian,
Near term economic growth on a 20 year profit and loss projections? Very well.
But you and Tax Joven haven’t agreed on what to fight for yet?
And anyway, you haven’t told us of the specific incentives and penalties yet.
justice league on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 8:29 am
Leytenian,
Oooopssss.
Revised.
But you and Tax Joven haven’t agreed on what to fight for yet.
leytenian on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 1:15 pm
penalties:
1. removal from office
2. voluntary resignation
3. suspension of hours work
4. suspension of salary
5. suspension of benefits
6. suspension for hiring a family member without proper hiring… the job must be published and allow others to apply. a documented record of hiring is required.
there’s plenty of penalties..
suspension can be temporary or permanent, the media is good on leaking this information anyway… but we must provide a clear policy for penalties. it must be disclosed first day in office.
incentives: i don’t think they deserve one for now.. lol
“But you and Tax Joven haven’t agreed on what to fight for yet.”
i thought i have agreed on his local autonomy and to pressure congress. i think he suggested people’s power.
na naman?
justice league on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 2:02 pm
Leytenian,
I think Tax Joven meant that pressuring Congress is already part of the “fight”.
What you haven’t agreed on is the local autonomy under what set up. He is definitely in favor of local autonomy under the unitary while you are in favor of one that will be under a Federal set up.
Voluntary resignation? Anyway. most of the penalties you enumerated is already provided for in the Local Government Code. (Though Congress might have a different process. And before you write anything further on the accountability of Congress, I have not come across any proposed amendment by Congress on the Constitution by resolution or whatever that they would empower the people to have the “power of recall” over members of Congress)
Regarding your incentives, you implied that the QC mayor is doing a good job. Do you think he should have an incentive and if so, what?
Tax Joven on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 8:30 pm
Justice League: “What you haven’t agreed on is the local autonomy under what set up. He is definitely in favor of local autonomy under the unitary while you are in favor of one that will be under a Federal set up.”
You’ve got it 5/5. Between me and Leytenian, it’s 2/5. A good start, anyway. Considering that my obsession seem to be 0/5 from other posters. I do wish somebody can put up a better alternative. This could be a desperate battle, and a lonely one.
Leytenian, thanks for a matured response. We may be nearer 5/5 than I ever imagined possible. Would it help if I label my advocacy? HDS. A Highly Decentralized Set-up under a unitary system. It’s about bringing local autonomy to the limits allowable under the present Charter.
You can help by showing me that this is a crazy idea… that the goals of federalism is attainable only through federalism. If you can…
leytenian on Thu, 11th Sep 2008 9:31 pm
Tax Joven and Justice,
Local Autonomy thru a federal set-up may be the answer. I thought I agree on that too? lol
As for the mayor of QC, the incentives have already been enjoyed not only by him but by the people and for the people. He can be a good coach to create some kind of seminars especially on financial transaction on public funds, collection of taxes and how the process was done, project management and many more. He can help other mayors to perform or mimick his style of management.
One thing strong about the QC mayor, he has a higher level of education. mayors in the provinces may not but the QC mayor can always share his expertise thru seminars and continuing education among his peers. A 30 hours yearly seminar for good governance or whatever it may be.If mayors cannot comply with the CEU requirements then they will be subject to penalty. It’s not a hard penalty. It’s taking action in a more civilized way.
Tax joven,
no idea is crazy if presented wisely and clearly. I did oppose pimentel’s proposal before and the federalist group from cebu who linked its site somewhere here in manolo’s blog. My concern was their proposal have no clear goals, mission and vision. the feredalist group from cebu has not come back. I think I may have offended them which is not smart in my part. We can only come up with an informed decision if we listen to both sides. One sided decision is definitely a difficult task , the lack of support may lead us to a lonely journey.
a civilized discussion is crucial.
Tax Joven on Fri, 12th Sep 2008 11:51 am
Leytenian, we are back to square one. We are going around in circles. Theoretically, federalism is a form of local autonomy, but under Philippine conditions, local autonomy in federalism or vice versa is an oxymoron. This is my stand. I don’t think I can make it any clearer. Ironically though my only hope in this hopeless situation is Senator Nene Pimentel himself, no less. If only he will have a change of heart!
Corollary to an HDS is a leadership training for all local chief executives. DILG has a built-in program for this. It will not want for experienced and skilled trainers and resource persons. It is not a job for a Mayor, no matter how qualified and capable he might be.
justice league on Fri, 12th Sep 2008 12:21 pm
Leytenian,
You missed Tax Joven’s statement of “A Highly Decentralized Set-up under a unitary system. It’s about bringing local autonomy to the limits allowable under the present Charter.”
And I can’t exactly read what you claim are the incentives already enjoyed by the QC mayor.
Tax Joven,
I likewise believe that the aspirations of local autonomy is certainly achievable under the present charter.
leytenian on Fri, 12th Sep 2008 8:48 pm
tax joven,
pimentel already have accumulated support from the provinces especially mindanao and the visayans. i’m not sure if we can change the mindset of his supporter . most of them are the LGU and NGO.
justice league on Fri, 12th Sep 2008 9:26 pm
Leytenian,
Sen. Pimentel’s proposal hasn’t survived a free discussion of issues yet.
Even though they still might push for it even if it doesn’t survive, support for it might change should those discussions come to the fore.
leytenian on Fri, 12th Sep 2008 11:46 pm
justice and tax joven,
i can go with the flow. the ball is on your side. i can only share and suggest . Congress is a big labor expense and becoming a liability by dragging our economy. It’s purpose can no longer provide accumulation of assets unless each of them will truly work and focus its intention by increasing employment to their respective regions. they should be aware
that there are about 6.6 million underemployed in the agricultural sector. I don’t know how many belongs to their region. Communication between senator, congressmen and governors must be for one common goal. They don’t have one common goal for the people… They might say, oh yes we do- but numbers are negative. our country’s unemployment rate is very high and large gap of income inequality. Just wondering if Congress understand the microeconomic demands in our country?
justice league on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:47 am
Leytenian,
“the ball is on your side”.
I definitely think you are mistaken.
Tax Joven has gladly put forth his alternative on the issue of greater local autonomy.
And that is to strengthen it by way of legislation without requiring amending/revising the Constitution.
You on the other hand recommend greater local autonomy through Federalism that will require ChaCha.
Tax Joven’s proposal will consume no more manpower, resources, etc…. than what Congress eats already.
But yours will require additional manpower, manpower hours, resources, funds, etc.. along with a possibility that the electorate might repudiate your proposal in an expected costly plebiscite/referendum.
On paper, Tax Joven’s idea will demand no more political will from public officials than what they already profess to have.
Supposedly, certain members of Congress are in favor of greater local autonomy by going federal.
Supposedly, PGMA is in favor of greater local autonomy by going federal.
With so many officials in favor of greater local autonomy; what is preventing them from enacting legislations through Congress that will strengthen/enlarge/whatever local autonomy under the current Charter?
I’m trying to be polite, but you have run away from so many of my queries.
And if ever the ball is in our hands; its because you dropped it.
leytenian on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 6:05 am
justice,
you are right… i’m running out of ideas and options. i am now limited by actual data and actual happening in our country. If i have dropped the ball, I guess I have to pick it up… lol
so what is exactly you want me to say or do? i am in the US. I have limited connections. how far can we go? what’s next for tax joven’s autonomy? as i have said, many LGU’s are already in favor of federalism, that’s out of my control . And even if I will be for local autonomy, I also have no direct control. I’m just being in the middle.
Tax Joven on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 6:56 am
leytenian : “pimentel already have accumulated support from the provinces especially mindanao and the visayans. i’m not sure if we can change the mindset of his supporter . most of them are the LGU and NGO.”
Thanks for the good news. Get the proponent, and you get his supporters! But how I can get to him when I can’t even get past you? I think you’re just bursting to the seams with brilliant ideas, and you’ll be a big help if you’d just slow down a bit and get some focus.
You see primo, we need all hands on deck. And it’s good to know that justice league is on our side. The Three Musketeers is better than the Lone Ranger. It could lead to the Dirty Dozen! And who knows that justice league may actually be a league all by himself?
Cha-cha is dead, at least for now. So where else would Senator Nene Pimentel go? Well, he is always welcome to his old forte: local autonomy. Besides, HDS is the real thing for for LGU’s and our country, not federalism. Are you with us? Please hurry before senility do us in.
justice league: “With so many officials in favor of greater local autonomy; what is preventing them from enacting legislations through Congress that will strengthen/enlarge/whatever local autonomy under the current Charter?”
We know what the answer is. We know how to go about it. With no no less than the fate of the entire country at stake, can we do it? It’s a journey of a thousand miles! Shall we take the first step?
Tax Joven on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 8:01 am
Hey, KG! Where are you. Aren’t you gonna hitch your wagon to the stars?
leytenian on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 8:42 am
tax joven,
many non profit in the US lead by many OF pinoys are supporting federalism thru NGO and LGU’s. Financing and their help is huge. Even if Chacha is dead and Pimentel’s proposal may not push through, there are plenty of them who will probably continue their effort. this is also out of my control. You might have to connect with Cebu and Mindanao to support you. I may know some connections in Cebu and Mindanao but I cannot disclose nor I can provide their personal information.
As far as those connections, chacha is not dead.
Tax Joven on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 10:34 am
Leytenian, I didn’t imagine you would be of much help. I know now though why you can’t speak for federalism. Nor can even Senator Nene Pimentel himself!
He promises two fruits of federalism: spurred economic growth for countrysides and solution to the Mindanao conflict. This goes beyond nonsense. Federalism will nip those fruits in the bud rather than nurture them.
Federalism will strangle, not promote local autonomy because instead of Imperial Manila it would put of States. And states could be more domineering than far-away Manila.
A commercial hub is either within a province or a city. A business is never region-based. So, how could a State spur economic growth? Seeing that its operational and financial guidelines is yet to be drawn, it may not even be able to stand on its own in years. It even has to get sustenance from the LGU’s! 30% of the LGU share say Pimentel!
On the other hand, imagine a city or a province, moving on its own, without a monkey called state on its back! Come to think of it. What would states be for? Aren’t we prepared to let the LGU’s chart their own destiny? Can’t we entrust them to operate on their own?
The idea of federalism rose from failed governance. We did not attempt to explore the limits to which our present Charter allows local autonomy. We bungled our attempts at devolution by holding on to the funds intended for it. Now we want to change the Charter to give the LGU’s the powers we denied them in the present one!
How about the other fruit? Would regional groupings promote peace, or would it aggravate the present conflict and open up new ones? Again, the Mindanao conflict has its roots in failed governance. We refused to give lands to Maranaos, Tibolis, Bagobos, Tausugs and other indigenous tribes, in the same manner that we refused to give land titles to Christian Settlers. Federalism would give it to armed groups on a regional or wholesale basis!
Ancestral domain is neither political nor religious. It is tribal and economic. It best approached at the local rather than regional settings. RA 8371 is our best guide to this, not a cha-cha that would foster and encourage regional groups that may soon grow to be too unwieldy for progress and comfort.
justice league on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 11:26 am
If ever I want to ride on POLITICIAN’S’ view of CHARTER CHANGE; I would rather want to be the one riding and not the one ridden on. Otherwise for the most part I’d enjoy kicking them to whatever direction I deem fit.
Leytenian,
“If i have dropped the ball, I guess I have to pick it up… lol”
Well you have to get it back from us first. LOL.
“so what is exactly you want me to say or do? i am in the US. I have limited connections.
I may know some connections in Cebu and Mindanao ……”
If you’re technology savvy enough (I am not) ; why don’t you start an online petition on your end.
Influence your connections in Mindanao and Cebu and even Leyte to start a petition pushing said concerned officials to support with action their blah blah on greater local autonomy by enacting legislation RIGHT NOW within this Charter.
Tinkering with the Constitution will take years with no guaranteed result. (Unless the result has been cooked already)
By legislation, with the “supposed” support of concerned officials; a law could be passed in a couple of weeks, required period after publication will take a couple of weeks, etc… you can have greater local autonomy BEFORE ALL SAINTS’ DAY!
TAx Joven,
Do you mean literal revolution or was that just a figure of speech?
Manolo,
I know you’re pro federal. What’s your take on greater local autonomy within the present Charter?
Will you be putting up your own online petition for the above or for something else?
leytenian on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:13 pm
“Federalism next step to devolution. Federalism as an option should be considered to fully operationalize local autonomy and devolution in the country. There are discussions, not only in the Philippines but also in other Asian countries, on adopting the federal system. Some argue that federalism is the next logical step after devolution.”
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/talkofthetown/view/20080906-159116/Local-autonomy-federalism-and-BJE
Federalism in the Philippines
“The past decades has witnessed an increasing interest in federalism from around the globe. Professor Ronald Watts (2002) of Queen’s University Canada on the International Conference on Federalism held at Switzerland this year noticed, “Political leaders, leading intellectuals and even some journalist increasingly speak of federalism as a healthy, liberating and positive form of organization. Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Italy and the United Kingdom appear to be emerging towards new innovative federal forms, and in a number of other countries some consideration has been given to the efficacy of incorporating some federal features, although not necessarily all the characteristics of a full fledged federation.â€
from cut and paste:
In the Philippines, some scholars, politicians and experts have been discussing the prospects of federalism as an approach to Philippine governance. Political scientist Jose Abueva, for instance, espouses a transformation of the existing decentralized unitary system to a federal system by 2010.
He proposes that the transition to a federal state be done in two phases in a span of ten years starting 2000 to 2010 to allow for a careful examination of proposed constitutional changes, discussions and exchanges of ideas throughout the nation, and acting on the changes together as a whole. “
leytenian on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:15 pm
cut and paste:
“In a research report of the Center for Social Policy and Governance of the Kalayaan College, Abueva enumerated the theory behind Philippine federalization. The following are the hypotheses for the proposed shift from a unitary system to a federal system quoted from the research report with editing”
1. The basis for establishing a federal system is that the Philippines has already achieved sufficient national unity and democratization, including a measure of decentralization and local autonomy. The latter will follow about a decade’s transition of “regionalization†and increased local autonomy involving both the national government and the local governments.
2. Specifically, the 1987 Constitution’s design for the development of participatory democracy, local autonomy, and an active role for civil society in governance was a result of the growing difficulties and frustration with the country’s highly centralized unitary system during the authoritarian regime that started in September 1972.
3. Federalism will respond to the demands of local leaders for their release from the costly, time-consuming, stifling, and demoralizing effects of excessive centralization and controls by the national government in the present unitary system.
4. The structures, processes, and responsibilities of the federation will challenge and energize the people and their state and local governments. Such further democratization will encourage creativity, initiative and innovation, spur inter-state competition, and foster state and local self-reliance instead of continued dependency.
5. A federal system will greatly increase the capacity of the people and the government to deal with the country’s problems because the removal of the centralized structure that impose and sustain local dependence and stifle local initiative and resourcefulness will provide greater freedom and home rule. Therefore, they will be more interested in state and local governance because it is closer to them and will deal with under-development – local poverty, unemployment, injustice, inadequate social services and infrastructure, and low productivity.
6. In a federal structure that will consolidate the 80 provinces of the Philippines into 8 to 10 larger, integrated and more efficient and viable regions called states, substantial, faster and equitable development for the whole country is more likely to be achieved.
7. By participating in meaningful and challenging politics and governance at the state and local levels that impact directly the lives of the constituents, the people will be more empowered than if they continued to be alienated from their weak local governments and spectators in the affairs of far away national government institutions in the nation’s capital. Moreover, the people’s liberty will be protected by the further dispersion of power in the government and the society.
8. By governing the nation through interdependence and interaction with the states as regional governments, using the national language and a global language (such as English), the federal government will be better able to achieve and sustain national unity and identity. At the same time the states will be able to nurture, protect and enhance their regional cultures institutions and also contribute to national cultural development. Together the federal government and the states will be able to develop and sustain the nation’s cultural diversity and social pluralism.
9. A federal system will also be better able to respond to the external threats to national security and the challenges of globalization by strengthening the nation-state’s capacity to deal with its critical internal problems and development.
10. As a special metropolitan local government, Metro Manila, the present national capital, will have the structure of a state and will be able to deal more effectively with its problems as the nation’s principal metropolis. A planned new federal capital at the former Clark Air Base in Central Luzon will enable the federal government to function more efficiently by having the principal institutions and offices of the federation located in proximity to one another and accessible to Metro Manila by rapid transit.
It has been recognized that federalism is not a panacea for solving all governance problems. However, given the abovementioned hypotheses as rational, it will improve Philippine governance. As mentioned earlier, the structure of a federal government will empower the people and accelerate the country’s development.
leytenian on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:17 pm
“The following is a ten-year preparation plan prepared for the adoption of a federal government”
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:cMLnS5TGF6kJ:www.geocities.com/clrgncpag/dec-fed.doc+local+autonomy+and+federalism+in+philippines&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us
justice league on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:33 pm
Leytenian,
“… although not necessarily all the characteristics of a full fledged federation” so its federalism but not federalism.
There was a Charter Change discussion in a university once. Chairman Abueva came with a coterie of staff along with a number of government officials.
He presented numerous slides and explained them.
Then the open forum started.
I fired a salvo of non-personal and to my view legitimate questions.
Abueva was not pleased. His answers were so so …..
In fact, the school officials had to “save” him from me by turning off the guest microphone.
As I turned to return to my seat, the students were clapping. And they weren’t clapping for him!
Quoting from the source will do you no good because I’ve faced the source and HE IS WANTING!
Tax Joven on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:42 pm
justice league,
Thanks for the company. I now sense some movement.
But a good company need not be sympathetic. He could be adversarial. One could defend a proposition by trying to put it down. As I am doing with federalism. This is why I’m trying to pick up a fight wherever and whenever there’s a willing adversary. My movement is limited though because of limited IT savvy.
JA Carizo who’s for federalism put up a ring where we could continue the slug fest we started by email, http://.feDecentralize.wordpress.com. There’s enough material in there that may be worth looking into, until I can find my way in. I still have to figure out how.
There’s nothing wrong with a revolution that would start in the minds of LG and NGO officials. It could preempt a bloody one. It is the same kind of revolution that Senator Nene Pimentel is trying to foment. Only the purpose differs.
justice league on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:46 pm
TAx Joven,
The site doesn’t open for me.
Does he have a blog?
leytenian on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 12:53 pm
Political Obstacles to Decentralization: Evidence from the Philippines
Decentralization has swept across the developing world in recent years. Although the speed and scope of the shift toward more decentralized practices is striking, decentralization is neither inevitable nor irreversible. Rather, it faces enormous political obstacles and can be subject to serious setbacks. Based on fieldwork, it suggests that even after the political decision to decentralize has been made, national politicians may face deep-seated incentives to preserve centralized control over fiscal policy. Legislators attempted to reverse and then circumvent decentralization since it threatened their status as brokers claiming personal credit for negotiating fiscal transfers from the center.
leytenian on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 1:06 pm
Fiscal Federalism:
“Fiscal federalism is a system of transfer payments or grants by which a federal government shares its revenues with lower levels of government. ”
While fiscal federalism constitutes a set of guiding principles, a guiding concept, that helps in designing financial relations between the national and subnational levels of the government, fiscal decentralization on the other hand is a process of applying such principles… The PROCESS in other terms is ” local autonomy”
Local Autonomy of financial management….
justice league on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 1:41 pm
Leytenian,
“Political Obstacles to Decentralization: Evidence from the Philippines
So does this mean that you won’t be holding them accountable for all their Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah ……………………………….. supposedly in favor of greater local autonomy then?
But then why the heck do you trust them in amending the Constitution?
Are you sure that the Federalism that you envision will be the same Federalism that they will enshrine in the Charter?
If you go to the proposals in Chacha in House resolution number 4 and and even in the Concom recommended one; the same politicians that your article quote ascribes to will be the same ones who will define federalism.
So does your further quotes on “federalism” mean we shouldn’t be expecting an online petition from you like the one I advised?
justice league on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 1:57 pm
Ooooppps.
It should be properly inside quotation marks so it should read
“Political Obstacles to Decentralization: Evidence from the Philippines” .
leytenian on Sat, 13th Sep 2008 8:25 pm
justice,
Federalism is in its infancy. The government cannot afford to refuse the donation and assistance from Switzerland, Japan , Australia, and USA. These countries are for Federalism. Donations has not been channeled anymore to central. It goes directly to local NGO’s.
justice league on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 2:30 am
Leytenian,
Strings attached eh.
I would understand an interdependent relation with other countries but your idea smacks of a “dependent” foreign policy.
Are you going to be enshrining it in your proposed Charter too?
Donations go directly to local NGO’s? Well I think Local Government Units (LGUs) need not go through the DSWD for their importations but I didn’t expect rules on foreign donations to be so lax. Maybe you’re right but can you please show us your source on this?
leytenian on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 7:25 am
Hi Justice,
ang alam ko lang ang laki nang utang natin… we do need some help financially.
“Swiss President offers support for PGMA’s move to adopt federal form of gov’t in Mindanao”
The two Presidents also expressed satisfaction over the close and successful cooperation on the recovery of the late President Ferdinand Marcos’ assets from Switzerland to the Philippines following the final ruling by the Swiss Federal Court in 1998.
http://www.gov.ph/news/default.asp?i=21836
leytenian on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 7:28 am
Justice,
maybe we should talk about how to make money? hahahah
“How can I or my organization receive funding from USAID?”
Overall, priorities areas for USAID assistance are determined in conjunction with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) of the Philippines and the U.S. Embassy. It is then implemented by appropriate agencies of the national, provincial and local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private voluntary organizations (PVOs), and businesses and civic organizations. USAID assistance is generally in the form of technical assistance — services supplied by people and firms that USAID hires.
http://philippines.usaid.gov/about_2faqs.php
Tax Joven on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 12:05 pm
We can have local autonomy without federalism but we can have federalism without local autonomy. This is the essence of “Decentralization and Federalism in the Philippines: Lessons from Global Community” by Alex B. Brillantes, Jr. and Donna Moscare.
It wrote: “… it is possible to have good local governance under a devolved set up, governance here meaning the delivery of basic services to the people, not only by the local government, but in partnership with the other sectors in the community. The countryside is dotted with illustrations of good and best practices of how local governments have creatively used their powers to bring about good governance at the local level.â€
“For instance, we have seen how local governments have creatively generated additional resources by floating bonds and therefore provide public housing, something that was unheard of before local autonomy. There are local governments that constructed public markets through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode. Having no resources available except for the land, Mandaluyong entered into a partnership with the private sector through BOT and has now constructed a public market that has approached world-class standards. Similarly, a small municipality in Ilocos Norte, Dingras, also entered into a variation of the BOT to construct its public market. We have seen local governments float bonds to meet public housing requirements. Victorias, Negros Occidental and Legaspi City are examples of such. In the area of environmental management and consciousness, contrary to the popular notion that projects with social and environmental concerns are not politically expedient because results are not felt immediately as, say, public works and infrastructure projects are and therefore unable to deliver votes, experience has shown that many local governments in the country have place environmental considerations among their priority concerns.â€
“Local governments have entered into joint ventures and cooperative arrangements within the context of maximizing utility of resources. They have set up their own provincial investment and business councils to maximize their entrepreneurial capacities. The list of examples of good practices goes on. Efforts at recognizing good practices at the local level may be placed within the context of proving that devolution is working. In other words, local government units, using the creative powers devolved to them under the Code, and inspite of the many constraints, have been able to respond to the enormous challenges brought about by devolution.â€
“Another concern that should be addressed in pushing for a federal system is the capacities and capabilities of the state and local governments. While preparing for federalism, the government should be more decentralized. It is necessary to promote and develop self-reliance in the local governments that will be converted to states. They should have the capability and resources to function effectively as states under a federal government. They should be enabled to respond to the needs and demands of the community and fulfill their roles under a federal set-up. Parallel movement, therefore, of devolution and federalism is vital.
Having said all these, one would think that the Paper has scheduled moves to immediately further decentralize the present set-up. Instead, it drew an elaborate plan to promote federalism, making mention of implementing amendments to the LGC only on the fourth year of its execution. This means that federalists are more interested in setting up federalism than in promoting local autonomy. The paper pays lip service to local autonomy while actually stifling it. No amendment to the LGC until 2006!
So, what does the Paper offer? A slow, painfully slow, process of decentralization under the 1987 Constitution! Then, what? The death blow: federalism or the consolidation of provinces into States. No more shall LGU’s be free to manage their affairs! What would States be there for except as a regulatory body? Whoever wrote that “… federalism as an option should be considered to fully operationalize local autonomy and devolution in the country†closes his eyes to the reality that local governments can function well enough without a State to look over its shoulders. And whoever wrote that “federalism is the next logical step after devolution†is far from being logical. Of what use is federalism when the LGU’s have reached their optimum functional level?
Lest we be misunderstood, let us clarify our stand. We are for amending the 1991 LGC NOW. The changes should be substantial enough to cope with the present political and economic crises. It must be within the framework of the present Charter. Except for the time frame, this is also included in the ten-year plan of federalists. So, the initial conflict would just be in the matter of thrusts and priorities. The real fight should only come 10 years from now when federalism is formally introduced. Unless the federalists contradict its own stand on the LGC, and refuse to cooperate with us!
justice league on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 12:24 pm
Leytenian,
The article states that
“The Department of Foreign Affairs said the areas of mutual interest between the Philippines and Switzerland include maintaining the high level of exchange visits and continuing political consultations between the two countries started in 2000.”
Back then, efforts to revise the Charter weren’t even about federalism and PGMA wasn’t even President.
So the likelihood is that Swiss support would still be here even without the issue of federalization.
The President however should be ashamed for the Philippines that since that final ruling by the Swiss Federal Court in 1998, she still has to issue an update on the status of the Law on the Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations which has been pending since 2004. She was already President at that time and she even certified the bill as urgent in 2006 but to no avail.
And you haven’t exactly expressed gratitude over the last advice you solicited from me and now; of all things, YOU WANT ME TO DISCUSS WITH YOU HOW TO MAKE MONEY VIA FUNDING FROM THE USAID?
Heheheh.
Maybe you should read about the Philippine Children’s Fund of America (PCFA), an NGO that is alleged to be profiting (in terms of material gain) from their supposed charity work.
The NGO has been suspected of even selling the toys and clothes that have been donated to them for distribution to the needy. (And you even claimed that donations now are directly given to NGOs)
An offshoot of those allegations is that foreign donations of used clothes are no longer accepted for such works as they are suspected of being channeled to the used clothing business as well as for claimed hygienic and dignity issues.
Lady, I think I have been as patient with you MORE THAN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
I think no one can fault me if I start dismissing further assertions from you on these issues as nothing more than BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH ……………………………
Tax Joven on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 3:56 pm
Leytenian,
Thanks for the link: http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:cMLnS5TGF6kJ:www.geocities.com/clrgncpag/dec-fed.doc+local+autonomy+and+federalism+in+philippines&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us. It is a virtual gold mine of arguments for our advocacy. My 12:05pm post is just the tip of the iceberg. It may take some time before I can discuss much of it.
But so far, I think you delivered the most telling blow against federalism: “… the revenue of our country is smaller than Orlando and Miami. Both city of Orlando and Miami is only run by a mayor. we don’t need useless congress.” I doubt if anyone can beat it.
justice league,
Where you are, I was. I learned that it’s just a matter of picking up what works, considering our agenda. Forget about the blog where you say you can’t get in, at least for now. The job’s here.
Your say on my 12:05pm post, please? We can’t just dismiss other ideas as wanting. A demolition job is thankless but sometimes it has to be done. I hope Leytenian finds my ideas interesting enough to copy and paste. Or could Manolo arrange a better venue? If he can’t come in… After dozens of emails I have yet to receive an acknowledgment from any of our Senators.
.
leytenian on Sun, 14th Sep 2008 8:59 pm
Justice,
hahaha, we will not make money from USAID. US banks are falling down. sorry about blah blah blha.
“An offshoot of those allegations is that foreign donations of used clothes are no longer accepted for such works as they are suspected of being channeled to the used clothing business as well as for claimed hygienic and dignity issues”
you are partly true for clothing. this is another issue of corruption. It’s not about blah blha blha.
Aids are not only in the form of clothing or foods but:
Japan: On governance assistance
“Japan will focus on improving the ARMM government’s policy-making capacity and actual policy implementation, and as for the Mindanao region as a whole, we will focus on improvement of basic human needs not only in the form of socio-economic projects but also infrastructure building, and further peace-building measures, in accordance with the Support Package mentioned before.”
Australia:On Education assistance
“Australia is recognized as the lead bilateral donor in education through the Philippines Development Forum and whose assistance to basic education is the largest in Mindanao and is now expanding in the Visayas. A high priority of the Australian Government’s aid to the Philippines, about 40% of the Australian aid budget for its 2007-2008 financial year has been earmarked for education programs”
LIBYA: Welfare programmes
“The Gaddafi International Foundation for Charitable Association (GIFCA) has been engaged in implementing various socio-economic programmes in Muslim communities in Mindanao for nearly a decade. “
leytenian on Mon, 15th Sep 2008 7:25 am
tax joven
oh, you have found it… welcome.
justice league on Tue, 16th Sep 2008 1:57 am
Tax Joven,
“No more shall LGU’s be free to manage their affairs! What would States be there for except as a regulatory body?”
Not every State Constitution in the U.S. devote an article on local government.
Some States don’t but Hawaii has one.
And Hawaii’s Article VIII-
TAXATION AND FINANCE
Section 3. The taxing power shall be reserved to the State, except so much thereof as may be delegated by the legislature to the political subdivisions, and except that all functions, powers and duties relating to the taxation of real property shall be exercised exclusively by the counties, with the exception of the county of Kalawao. The legislature shall have the power to apportion state revenues among the several political subdivisions.
If you consider our section on local government of
Section 1. The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays………
Section 5. Each local government unit shall have the power to create its own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees and charges subject to such guidelines and limitations as the Congress may provide, consistent with the basic policy of local autonomy. Such taxes, fees, and charges shall accrue exclusively to the local governments.
etc…………
Our Charter seems more liberal on some points on local government than some State Constitutions in the U.S.
Tax Joven on Tue, 16th Sep 2008 5:11 am
Justice League:
Thank you for the interesting observation. The provision you cited (Sec. 3, Article VIII, Hawaii) is precisely what I was afraid of. It would spell the death of our working institutions: cities and provinces and maybe even barangays. States will sap away their power and wealth!
One reason why Senator Aquilino Pimentel is pushing for federalism in our country is to “hasten the economic development among the various regions of the country by allocating power which at present is concentrated in the central government to the regions that will be converted to federal states. The devolved powers will allow the federal states to mobilize their resources for development without being hindered or controlled by the central government.”
This is nonsense. Why must we to create States when we can allocate powers from the central government directly to the LGU’s that have long established rules and procedures in dealing with business? A State has none. So how can it “hasten the economic development…?†What does a political scientist, Dr. Jose Abueva say on this?
“Meanwhile we have to accelerate the process of government decentralization under the 1987 Constitution both ways: by de-concentrating national government administration to the regional centers and by devolving more national government functions to the local government units through continuing amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991. At the same time, we have to reorient our people… towards greater self-reliance and responsibility through local governance and development, including developing their capacity to raise more local revenues and generate funding for local development, and to attract investments.â€12
This is what the country needs. It is long overdue. This is what Senator Pimentel has neglected for the last 17 years. Now he wants to amend to Constitution when all he had to do was amend the LGC! Dr. Abueva himself can serve the country if he concentrates on this task which he himself outlined. He does a disservice to the country by trying to go further: towards federalism.
Another reason cited by Senator Nene Pimentel in his bid for federalism is to “dissipate the causes of the recurrent armed Moro challenges against the government and, thereby, lay the basis for a just and lasting peace in Central and Southwestern Mindanao.†13 Again, this is nonsense. This “recurrent armed Moro challenges against the government†is the product of failed governance and stupid approaches. The issue is neither political nor religious; it is tribal and economic.
Years of government apathy and neglect caused certain elements to takes up arms just to be noticed. For too long we refused to give Tausog, Maranaos, Bagobo’s, Tibolis and other indigenous peoples their due. Now, we want to give in to the unjust demands of certain armed groups! “Regionalizing†the Ancestral Domain issue would be a big mistake. It is a “local†problem, and therefore must be treated as such. The solution lies in the vigorous implementation of RA 8371 which clearly spells out how to deal with the indigenous peoples.
leytenian on Tue, 16th Sep 2008 5:43 am
Tax Joven,
“Why must we to create States when we can allocate powers from the central government directly to the LGU’s that have long established rules and procedures in dealing with business?”
1. Real Estate: States can exercise its rights on property law. This will be too large to handle in just one central power. It can easily be manage in a State. The importance of federalism in fostering dynamism and choice can be seen throughout the law of property. another good example, Collection of state taxes and property taxes. The standard data of record is easy for any foreign investors to abide by the rule of the state rather than central unitary system. Managing over 1007 islands in terms of property rights is too large to handle. The concept is to delegate the task to its subsidiary, the State.
2. Rule of Law:
National vs. State Government
Exclusive Powers of the National Government
include:
# Print money (bills and coins)
# Declare war
# Establish an army and navy
# Enter into treaties with foreign governments
# Regulate commerce between states and international trade
# Establish post offices and issue postage
# Make laws necessary to enforce the Constitution
Exclusive Powers of State Governments include:
# Establish local governments
# Issue licenses (driver, hunting, marriage, etc.)
# Regulate intrastate (within the state) commerce
# Conduct elections
# Ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution
# Provide for public health and safety
# Exercise powers neither delegated to the national government or prohibited from the states by the U.S.
# Constitution (For example, setting legal drinking and smoking ages.)
Powers Shared by National and State Government
Shared, or “concurrent” powers include:
# Setting up courts
# Creating and collecting taxes
# Building highways
# Borrowing money
# Making and enforcing laws
# Chartering banks and corporations
# Spending money for the betterment of the general welfare
# Taking (condemning) private property with just compensation
leytenian on Tue, 16th Sep 2008 5:49 am
Tax Joven,
I don’t think we can attarct investment with our current LGU or central power. Foreign investors are motivated to transact business with there’s organization management in a State. They will have options on which state has better incentives for them. Our current system is not working to attract foreign investors. It is too disorganize and the local units ( like mayors and barangays) are too small to transact such international business.
Redefining Federalism :
http://www.redefiningfederalism.org/SLES/Sol7.asp
justice league on Wed, 17th Sep 2008 12:07 am
Tax Joven,
Don’t be misled by mere/more Blah Blah Blah.
American States (the states or state agencies include New york, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Rhode Island) have in May sued the EPA, a federal agency because it wasn’t strict enough with ozone pollution standards.
In other words, the States are demanding the federal government for more regulation on them! (or words to that effect)
And States have sued institutions in other States over pollution. Oklahoma sued several firms in Arkansas over chicken waste used as fertilizer in that farm pollution run off is damaging their tourist-attracting lake.
And States have contemplated on suing fellow States over the pollution the other States allow to wreak disaster on the other State. Kentucky contemplated on suing Virginia over Virginia’s plans to allow a strip mining company (Consolidation Coal Co.) to discharge more than a billion gallons of briny water into a river just eight miles from where it flows into Kentucky and damage Kentucky’s Fishtrap lake.
And this will be part of the “inter state competition” and “better incentives” that pro federals like to tout will occur in a federal set up. It is clear that there are instances where States will simply not care what detrimental effects their industries will cause in other States as long as such industries will be theirs. Companies out to make a buck and nothing else will flock to States that will be lenient with regards to environmental issues.
Tax Joven on Wed, 17th Sep 2008 8:31 am
Justice league,
Good info. Lesson: certain powers have to be retained and enforced by central government, and that each LGU must be vigilant and assertive of its rights.
Leytenian,
We have good laws. RPT or real property tax is shared between a province and its constituent municipalities and barangays, except in the case or chartered cities which has the income all to itself. The same is true with income from quarry. Among Ed (Gov. Panlileo of Pampanga) has a problem because while he increased the income of barangays, towns and the province itself, he has, in effect, diminished the personal incomes of many government officials. If you know what I mean.
Competition for business occurs at the city or town level because it is there where businesses get their permit. Cities or town “spur” economic activity. Provinces play a minor role. So, how could federalism spur economic activity? The size of the base of its operations (city or municipality) has nothing to do with international business!
Federalists argue that small is better, but they intend to consolidate provinces and “operationalize” them as a state. How could they contradict themselves so? They may have a point, but, is it worth all the trouble? How can we overhaul the system when we can’t even amend or fully implement a simple law?
The task ahead was so aptly enunciated by a federalist, Dr. Jose Abueva, when he said that: “Meanwhile we have to accelerate the process of government decentralization under the 1987 Constitution both ways: by de-concentrating national government administration to the regional centers and by devolving more national government functions to the local government units through continuing amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991. At the same time, we have to reorient our people… towards greater self-reliance and responsibility through local governance and development, including developing their capacity to raise more local revenues and generate funding for local development, and to attract investments.â€12.
Has he made any move towards this end? I wish he would concentrate on this task, and STOP as soon as it is done. He must abandon all plans of going beyond this point. For the good of the country.
mindanaoan on Tue, 23rd Sep 2008 11:17 pm
tax joven,
your approach is incongruous and absurd. the federal system is designed around the idea of decentralization, while a unitary system is designed to work efficiently because of centralization. now, you want to push local autonomy (decentralization) in a unitary system, at the same time you oppose federalism. have you no concept of design?
Tax Joven on Wed, 24th Sep 2008 7:22 pm
mindanaoan,
Thank you for your comment.
We want to free our LGU’s of Imperial Manila? So why don’t we? We can simply devolve functions and resources directly to LGU’s, can’t we?
So why do we have to create states? The design is simple enough. Why do we have to complicate it?
Devolution in our country did not work. Why? Because we devolved the personnel but not the funds. The DA is now awash with funds, which it mismanages. Programs designed to help farmers do not reach the intended beneficiaries.
Local government can handle food production better than the central government. But if the funds are coursed through states as in federalism, nothing will change. From one collar (imperial Manila) to another (state).
Do you know that fiscal federalism also applies to a unitary system? The design I object to is the grouping of provinces into regions or states. It is nothing but added red tape and expense.
mindanaoan on Wed, 24th Sep 2008 8:58 pm
tax joven,
i don’t know what you mean by free from imperial manila, but saying we can simply devolve functions and resources to lgu’s to be free from manila is simplistic. government is a very complex system. you cannot rearrange it like you do your furniture. lgu’s are not mini-countries which have the same ,and can accept, devolved functions as the national government
the goal of federalism is to give autonomy to groups of people who share common concerns and aspirations. so, you can see, devolution of functions to lgu’s (which are at a different level than regions) are off-tangent.
devolution did not work because it’s a kludge. what was changed were paramaters, which have little effect in huge and complex systems. what’s needed are different and better-suited control and feedback mechanisms, designed specifically to operate for a set of components with a high degree of autonomy but at the same time coordinating efficiently thru a central coordinator. that goal, i submit, is better served by a federal system.
and lgu’s for food production? what happened to economies of scale?
justice league on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 1:30 am
Mindanaoan,
“the goal of federalism is to give autonomy to groups of people who share common concerns and aspirations.”
Article 2.
Section 25. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments.
Article 10.
Section 2. The territorial and political subdivisions shall enjoy local autonomy.
Section 3. The Congress shall enact a local government code which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative, and referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers, responsibilities, and resources, and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials, and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of the local units.
Section 13. Local government units may group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them in accordance with law.
Section 14. The President shall provide for regional development councils or other similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other government offices, and representatives from non-governmental organizations within the regions for purposes of administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of the units therein and to accelerate the economic and social growth and development of the units in the region.
———————————-
Maybe the groups you are referring to can take advantage of Article 10 sec. 13. If a law stands in the way of that, surely Congress can remedy it.
Tax Joven on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 2:57 am
Mindanaoan: I don’t know what you mean by free from imperial manila, but saying we can simply devolve functions and resources to lgu’s to be free from manila is simplistic. government is a very complex system. You cannot rearrange it like you do your furniture. lgu’s are not mini-countries which have the same, and can accept, devolved functions as the national government.
Let me answer with a quote from a federalist, Dr. Jose V. Abueva. U.P. Professor Emeritus of Political Science. He said, “… we have to accelerate the process of government decentralization under the 1987 Constitution both ways: by de-concentrating national government administration to the regional centers and by devolving more national government functions to the local government units through continuing amendments to the Local Government Code of 1991. At the same time, we have to reorient our people… towards greater self-reliance and responsibility through local governance and development, including developing their capacity to raise more local revenues and generate funding for local development, and to attract investments.â€12
So you see, mindanaoan, LGU’s need not be mini-countries or states to be able to accept devolved functions. My point: if this recommendation of Dr. Abueva is carried out, what need would there be for federalism? When we can’t even amend and implement a simple law, how can we be expected to succeed in overhauling the whole system?
Mindanaoan: The goal of federalism is to give autonomy to groups of people who share common concerns and aspirations. So, you can see, devolution of functions to lgu’s (which are at a different level than regions) are off-tangent.
LGU’s have common concerns and aspirations. Can you say the same of regions or states? As programmed by federalists, states have yet to define their concerns and aspirations as well as operational and financial procedures. We will be off-tangent if we insist in creating regions or states who shall manage the affairs of LGU’s, instead of going directly to the LGU’s.
Mindanaoan: Devolution did not work because it’s a kludge. What was changed were paramaters, which have little effect in huge and complex systems. What’s needed are different and better-suited control and feedback mechanisms, designed specifically to operate for a set of components with a high degree of autonomy but at the same time coordinating efficiently thru a central coordinator. That goal, I submit, is better served by a federal system.
You call the 1991 Local Government a kludge? I know it has its share of imperfections and that is precisely I want it amended, but I don’t think Senator Nene Pimentel would be very happy with the term you used. Anyway, do you think our lawmakers can do better with a huge and more complex system as federalism? LGU’s “are different and better-suited control and feedback mechanisms, designed specifically to operate for a set of components with a high degree of autonomy.†It does not need a “central coordinatorâ€.
You speak of economies of scale. Please remember that we are talking here of LGU’s as against states. Do you really think that a regional based food production program would be more effective than a provincial based one? Can the rice problem be tackled better by states rather than by LGU’s?
So, please tell me. Is there a need to group provinces into states? How shall we profit from it?
MQuezon and JNery has made “current” their Managing Crisis, Immigration and Devolution. I was preparing a comprehensive comment, when you came in. I would rather have this dialog.
Tax Joven on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 3:33 am
Justice league, I just posted when I read you comment.
You just showed us that local autonomy is uppermost in the minds of the framers of the 1987 Constitution. We can avail of its benefits without a cha-cha, and without going into federalism. Legislators only have to do their job.rather than invite us into wild goose chases.
leytenian on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 8:17 am
tax joven.
“We have good laws.”
Yes, but it has never been understood nor implemented properly
“In the September 23, 2008 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (global survey ranking countries in terms of perceived corruption), the Philippines dropped to 141st, down 10 places from 2007, among 180 countries surveyed. It scored a 2.3 in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), lower than 2007’s 2.5, on a scale where 10 is the highest possible grade. Vincent Lazatin, TI executive director, said: “We are compared to our nearest neighbors Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, with Vietnam seen as eventually overtaking us in a few years. The difference is that (in other countries) when business sets aside money to grease the wheels, they know that they will get what they paid for. In the Philippines, there is no certaintyâ€
I think the discussion must be broken according to the structure of Congress and the Justice System. These two are conspiring against the people.
Tax Joven on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 9:52 am
Leytenian, You diverge. Well, this is a free country. We can always go anywhere we like. But you’re welcome anytime, on the subject.
mindanaoan on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 10:35 am
tax joven, please note that lgu’s are not the same as the states envisioned by federalism. all the talk about local autonomy in the constitution and the local government code are about lgu autonomy. that’s a different matter.
as i understand it, federalists who are pushing for devolution do so as an implementation strategy rather than, as it seems you do, confuse it with the goals of federalism.
to understand the goals of federalism, you have to recognize that the ilocanos, cebuanos, mindanaoans, the muslims, and others, want to be able to move on their own as a group.
if you look at it even casually, the composition of our country is a natural for a federal system. the present unitary system is a mistake.
leytenian on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 10:57 am
mindanaon,
i agree with you. the leytenians, surigawnon’s and boholano’s are also wanting to move on to.
mindanaoan on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 11:01 am
tax joven, a kludge is a fix, a workaround, to implement something not originally intended in the design. usually, it works clumsily, if at all. devolution, if you want it to implement federalist ideas inside a unitary system is such a thing.
about food production, are you some kind of socialist? when i mentioned economies of scale, i was thinking that food policy issues are better considered at the national, rather than local or state level.
leytenian on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 11:03 am
I like Cha-Cha that provides the implementation of an INTERIM version of it. Why? Because, if it doesn’t work, then a reversion back to where and how the government was to try to make it work again might be wise. Right now, our government is full of G&C shenanigans that any filtration of funds that is intended to get down to the lowest form of local government literally becomes nothing. It’s almost the big government’s version of the Marcos’ regime. The only difference is that during said regime, only Marcos’ hands and his cronies got most of the funds (Example: 4billion dollars to the Marcoses and only 2 billion out of the 6 billion annual US aid went to the people). Nowadays, whatever funds there are, allegedly go to the many hands and pockets of crooked, elected and appointed officials of the government. Like Gomer Pyle said, “Per shame, per shame, per shame!”
that’s the financial aspect of it.
The Judicial system must conform to that INTERIM. Ready to prosecute instead of hiding one’s fault.
justice league on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 2:30 pm
Mindanaoan,
Local government units go up to as high as Provinces and some even to regions. So the autonomy of such LGUs are as high as provinces or even regions.
I presume that the LGUs of the Ilocanos for the most part are held by Ilocanos, and the same goes for the Cebuanos, Mindanaoans, Muslims (ARMM), and so forth.
Surely the provinces of the Ilocanos and so forth should be able to utilize Article 10 Sec. 13.
justice league on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 3:11 pm
Leytenian,
Neither the Leytenians, nor the surigawnons and nor the boholanos are about to get a State all to themselves in the proposals for federalism.
All those you enumerated are going to be grouped with others (the Leytenians with non-Leytenians, the Surigaonons with non-Surigaonons, the Boholanos with non-Boholanos) in the proposed states so what kind of wanting to move on to are you talking about?
As to your claim of
“I like Cha-Cha that provides the implementation of an INTERIM version of it. Why? Because, if it doesn’t work, then a reversion back to where and how the government was to try to make it work again might be wise.
In whose or what Cha-Cha proposal has this provision for an implementation of an INTERIM version of it outside of going through the WHOLE process of amending/revising the Charter again?
Is it Abueva’s?
Is it Sen. Pimentel’s?
Is it PGMA’s?
Is It Speaker Nograles’?
If their version of ChaCha doesn’t have this provision for “the implementation of an INTERIM version of it”, why are you willing to ChaCha with them?
(Or is this the part where you do what you do best)
Tax Joven on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 3:50 pm
Mindanaoan, I know that the lgu’s are not the same as the states envisioned by federalism. This is precisely why I object to it. I want us to pursue local autonomy as envisioned in the 1987 Constitution, not a false autonomy under federalism.
I know that federalists push for devolution as a strategy, not as an end in itself. This is precisely why I find it so nonsensical. If we can make local autonomy work, we need not go into federalism. What for? Those who say that federalism is the logical step after decentralization are far from being logical. Federalism will obliterate our gains in local autonomy. States could be more stifling of local initiatives than the central government.
As I understand it, federalism is not about Ilocanos, Cebuanos, Mindanaons, the Muslims, and others. Such a division could give rise to confusion and even animosity. Do you know where the Ilocanos, the Cebuanos or the Bicolanos are? I think it is about provinces. Which ones should constitute a particular state. And this task wouldn’t be as easy as you imagine. For instance, only Nur Misuari proposes that Mindanao be constituted as a state. Now which one will you give to the Muslims?
You see the composition of our country as a natural for a federal system. It is not. If it is, how is it that there are so many varying proposals into how the country should be divided?
The local government code is within the original intent of the constitution. Federalist themselves, cites the advances made through this Code. Devolution is very much a part of a unitary system. See for yourself what federalist say of advances made under the local government code. Then, tell me if it is a kludge.
In “Decentralization and Federalism in the Philippines: Lessons from Global Community†by Alex B. Brillantes, Jr. and Donna Moscare, declare that, “… it is possible to have good local governance under a devolved set up, governance here meaning the delivery of basic services to the people, not only by the local government, but in partnership with the other sectors in the community. The countryside is dotted with illustrations of good and best practices of how local governments have creatively used their powers to bring about good governance at the local level.â€
“For instance, we have seen how local governments have creatively generated additional resources by floating bonds and therefore provide public housing, something that was unheard of before local autonomy. There are local governments that constructed public markets through the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode. Having no resources available except for the land, Mandaluyong entered into a partnership with the private sector through BOT and has now constructed a public market that has approached world-class standards. Similarly, a small municipality in Ilocos Norte, Dingras, also entered into a variation of the BOT to construct its public market. We have seen local governments float bonds to meet public housing requirements. Victorias, Negros Occidental and Legaspi City are examples of such. In the area of environmental management and consciousness, contrary to the popular notion that projects with social and environmental concerns are not politically expedient because results are not felt immediately as, say, public works and infrastructure projects are and therefore unable to deliver votes, experience has shown that many local governments in the country have place environmental considerations among their priority concerns.â€
“Local governments have entered into joint ventures and cooperative arrangements within the context of maximizing utility of resources. They have set up their own provincial investment and business councils to maximize their entrepreneurial capacities. The list of examples of good practices goes on. Efforts at recognizing good practices at the local level may be placed within the context of proving that devolution is working. In other words, local government units, using the creative powers devolved to them under the Code, and in spite of the many constraints, have been able to respond to the enormous challenges brought about by devolution.â€
This of course is not the end of the line. We still have a long way to go before we can make full use of local autonomy allowed by our constitution. And this is what I want us to avail of.
Tax Joven on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 5:17 pm
Leytenian, would you rather that Leyte gets its share of national taxes directly from the national treasury? Or that it be coursed through a state? What would you prefer, the whole of the allocation for lgu’s, or only 70% because the 30% will be retained by the states for its operational expenses?
Mindanaoan, I was thinking of economy of scale in line with production economics. At what size or level could you reach optimum productivity given a set of factors? It’s not about policy. Anyway, I thought we are both for decentralization. Now, you are assigning a simple task back to the national leadership!
mindanaoan on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 5:42 pm
justice league, region as lgu? except for ARMM and CAR, that’s not true. there’s no policy making body in regions.
you are missing the point if you think ilocanos have autonomy because they hold their lgus. do they have a government that looks over them because they are ilocanos?
to repeat, local autonomy for lgus are not what federalists want. lgus want autonomy because of the unresponsiveness of the national government to their local needs. but at the same time, people also want to have a government for their cultural gorup that they can call their own, something they can live in, rather than live under.
mindanaoan on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 6:04 pm
Tax Joven, local autonomy and federalism is not an either-or proposition. as i said before, they are not at the same level, each has it’s own goal, which is not incompatible at all.
you don’t think a federal system is natural for a country that is geographically , culturally and liguistically diverse? you think it’s better to run it as if it is homogeneous?
justice league on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 6:14 pm
Mindanaoan,
If you read my post again, I never claimed that all go up as high as regions.
So how is the present set-up preventing the LGUs of Ilocanos from looking over the Ilocanos as Ilocanos?
mindanaoan on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 6:30 pm
Tax Joven : “Now, you are assigning a simple task back to the national leadership!”
now, i think that’s being ridiculous. you cannot devolve all and every national function to local governments. we want to fulfill our different aspirations, but we also have to think about operational efficiency.
i’m not for decentralization just for the sake of decentralization. our government as a system is unresponsive to local needs, and also doesnt (because of it’s structure, it cannot) represent our aspirations as different groups of people. that is the problem we want to solve. the solution to that, i submit is federalism.
mindanaoan on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 6:42 pm
justice league, that’s why there’s “except for…”
“So how is the present set-up preventing the LGUs of Ilocanos from looking over the Ilocanos as Ilocanos?”
it is not a function of the present ilocano lgus to look over ilocanos as ilocanos. that is why we are proposing that there should be one.
justice league on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 7:04 pm
Mindanaoan,
So in other words you were in fact saying that what I said as “Local government units go up to as high as Provinces and some even to regions” is true.
Very well then.
And so there is no “prevention” at all.
And what you are implying is that the LGUs of Ilocanos are lacking the initiative to look over the Ilocanos as Ilocanos.
mindanaoan on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 7:27 pm
justice league, please note the words ’some’ and ‘except’ to straighten your logic.
“no prevention” is not equal to “should”. this is not about initiative but about function and purpose.
Tax Joven on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 8:07 pm
Mindanaoan, maybe we should try to be more specific with our assertions. General or motherhood statements will bring us nowhere.
I said states are unnecessary. I have shown that lgu’s can and do function well enough without them. Now, please tell me why you still want to create states.
You cited one reason: “the ilocanos, cebuanos, mindanaoans, the muslims, and others, want to be able to move on their own as a group.” I have not seen this kind of division espoused by any known federalist. Anyway, to which state would you assign the Muslims? You mentioned mindanaoan, didn’t you? But, why not separate states each for kapampangans, Igorots and Ibanons too?
Do I think it’s better to run our country as if it is homogeneous? Yes. Let each tribe foster and nurture their closeness to each member, but, preserve the government’s right to promote and maintain their identity as Filipinos! Have you not experienced inter-regional negativity in national conferences?
Just between the two of us, mindanaoan, do you really think it is possible to create a Muslim state in Mindanao? Is it practical? Is it feasible? Or will it be a source of more intense conflict than we are experiencing now?
mindanaoan on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 9:07 pm
Tax Joven, what you have shown in fact is that devolution did not work after two decades, you being one of those who still cry for its realization. the simple reason it that you want to change the system’s operation by changing its parameters rather than its structure. given that people holding the controls have vested interest in keeping hold of the controls, it’s futile. what’s needed is to change the government structure.
from a systems perspective, the problem why the government is unresponsive is latency. it takes too long for the government to notice and respond to the problems at the local level. we have to move the controls nearer the evironment to improve this responsiveness. and we are not talking about lgu functions, we are talking about highways, railways, airports, education, etc. things that call for handiing at a level higher than lgus. surely you understand it will be very inefficient if each lgu handles all these functions themselves.
about the muslims: the muslim areas will form the bangsamoro state. that should be obvious.
against the desire to give autonomy to our subgroups of people is the matter of efficiency and economics. the igorots are too small to have a state government. so, i generally agree with pimentel’s 11 states.
we have already the ARMM, what is not feasible? i can’t also see why it will be a source of more conflict, would you care to elaborate?
Tax Joven on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 4:03 am
Mindanaoan, Devolution did not work as effectively as it should because the people holding the controls have vested interest in keeping it. The LGC was not visited after every five years as the law itself mandates because Congress did not want to relinquish power and wealth. Now, what makes you think that a con-ass or a con-con would have a change of heart and suddenly become more generous that the l987 Charter requires? All that is needed is a law that would increase and make automatic the release of funds to lgu’s. Instead, you want to create a new layer of governance called states! Here is where our disagreement begins.
It takes too long for the government to notice and respond to the problems at the local level so, instead of automatically and directly giving them the needed funds, you want to create a state to oversee how the funds are handled, while effectively retaining 30% of said funds for its maintenance and other operating expenses. You want to “move the controls nearer the environment to improve this responsivenessâ€. This is what I have been objecting to all along. We need local autonomy for lgu’s, not control. The nearer the control is, the more it becomes pervasive and stifling. This is why I say that federalism would negate our gains at decentralization.
I agree with you that certain concerns should not be given to lgu’s. What I object to is giving it to states. Here is where your economy of scale should apply. The proposed states are too small to handle “highways, railways, airports, education, etc. things that call for handling at a level higher than lgusâ€. Surely, it will be very inefficient if states handle these functions themselves. It has to be done at the national level. But, of course, questions on which functions should be devolved and which should be retained by the central government are entirely a different topic. Suffice it to say, for now, that not all functions can be devolved.
So now, would you agree that economy of scale actually works against federalism, and that nearness does not necessarily mean responsiveness? Also, that it is unwise to divide the country into Ilocanos, Cebuanos, Bicolanos, etc.? Now let’s tackle the Muslim issue. You say that “muslim areas will form the bangsamoro stateâ€. You say that this is obvious. Is it? Will you please name the territories which would constitute what you call muslim areas?
You say a Muslim state is feasible because of ARRM, an autonomous region. It is not a state. Do you know that each state will have to write its own Constitution? Do you think the issues raised in the failed MOA-AD will not find a place in the new document? If you’re a Christian in a Muslim territory how would shariah affect you? Can’t you see a power struggle scenario in the process of creating a Muslim State? Please fill me in on this. I’m Luzonian.
leytenian on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 5:04 am
Local autonomy to LGU’s is actually the INTERIM. The next phase is full Federalism in 2012.
Tax Joven on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 10:13 am
leytenian : Local autonomy to LGU’s is actually the INTERIM. The next phase is full Federalism in 2012.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Now you’re talking sense again. I want to repeat what I said before, you delivered the most telling blow against federalism: “… the revenue of our country is smaller than Orlando and Miami. Both city of Orlando and Miami is only run by a mayor. we don’t need useless congress.†Also, you provided vital links.
Before we go out of focus again, please give us a picture of what you call “local autonomy to LGU’s”. How should it be pursued? How does it relate or differ with my advocacy? Who knows that we might arrive at a set-up that would convince federalists of the irrelevance of their cause.
justice league on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 1:19 pm
Mindanaoan,
“justice league, please note the words ’some’ and ‘except’ to straighten your logic.â€
And why should it?
Is what I said as “Local government units go up to as high as Provinces and some even to regions†untrue? If one is to accept the CAR and the ARMM as the “some†then it is true, isn’t it?
The National Executive Board of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) (composed of the provincial governors and representatives of metropolitan political subdivisions) has cast their lot for Federalism.
Other local executives have also expressed their favor for federalism.
Given such favor; one would expect local executives to be exuding initiative to do as you say like LGUs of Ilocanos looking over Ilocanos as Ilocanos as you can find nothing preventing them from doing so.
But NO!
Since by your claim this is not about initiative but rather about “function and purposeâ€; we have to REWRITE the Constitution so these local executives SHOULD DO what they SUPPOSEDLY WANT TO DO what THEY CAN DO ANYWAY within the present Constitution.
Did I get that right?
Gusto nilang gawin! Kaya nilang gawin! Pero hindi nila ginagawa!
KAYA ANG TANGING SOLUSYON AY PALITAN ANG SALIGANG BATAS!
Seems it’s not my logic that has to be straightened.
Tax Joven on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 2:00 pm
Justice league, You’re 5/5. Cheers.
mindanaoan on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 3:41 pm
Tax Joven,
“The LGC was not visited after every five years as the law itself mandates because Congress did not want to relinquish power and wealth. Now, what makes you think that a con-ass or a con-con would have a change of heart and suddenly become more generous that the l987 Charter requires? All that is needed is a law that would increase and make automatic the release of funds to lgu’s”
so your approach is to continue hoping they have a change of heart and suddenly become more generous, and pass your needed law? but, to repeat, it’s a different matter. local (lgu) autonomy remains the same issue whether we are under a unitary or federal set-up. if your argument against federalism rests on your advocacy of local autonomy, then it’s off-tangent.
“you want to create a new layer of governance called states!”
please compare a unitary system and a federal system, and see if a federal system is just a unitary system with some layers added. you will see your statement doesn’t make sense.
“The nearer the control is, the more it becomes pervasive and stifling.”
is this some principle from control theory, or did you just make this up?
“So now, would you agree that economy of scale actually works against federalism”
why would it, when functions that should be handled at the national level will still be handled at the national level?
“and that nearness does not necessarily mean responsiveness?”
are you saying distance doesn’t matter?
“Will you please name the territories which would constitute what you call muslim areas?”
ARMM
“If you’re a Christian in a Muslim territory how would shariah affect you? Can’t you see a power struggle scenario in the process of creating a Muslim State?”
there are more muslims in christian areas than there are christians in muslim areas, so a modus vivendi will quickly work itself out.
mindanaoan on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 4:01 pm
justice league, no, you did not get that right. it will not be the local executives who will be doing the new function of looking over ilocanos as ilocanos. it will be the function of the state executive. no one can do it today, because that office does not exist, hence, the desire to create such an office.
Tax Joven on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 7:27 pm
Mindanaoan, I am just hoping that the efforts towards federalism would be channeled, somehow, for more local autonomy. My puny efforts may not count at all, but at least, it cannot be said that I just waited for the roof to fall on us.
You keep repeating that “Local (lgu) autonomy remains the same issue whether we are under a unitary or federal set-up.” If it’s all the same with you, why change the system? Why bother going into federalism at all?
I would like very much to compare my idea of local autonomy under a unitary system with any proposed federal structure for our country. So far I have not found any concrete proposal. All that I hear is that every state shall be given leeway to come up with their own ideas. Scary, if you ask me. Do you have any model that is worth looking into? Oh… never mind. It wouldn’t be the final thing anyway.
Control in the hands of a professional CEO is a management tool. But try giving it to politicians or bureaucrats who will handle your states! It is something you’ll learn from experience, not theories.
Functions that should be handled at the national level will be handled at the national level. Okay. But why don’t we just devolve functions to provinces and cities, instead of states? LGU’s are prepared to take on more challenges. States have yet to be formed!
ARMM, the Muslim state! I hope you have THE say on this. I hope you have THE say on the Sharia law that the state will adopt. But since you won’t have any say on these, I hope you don’t have to live there for your sake. Please tell me why the MILF is still so active despite ARMM? Who will get to rule the Muslim state? MILF or MNLF? Who gets crushed in-between? Modus vivendi? Yes, if Christians will agree to be second class citizens!
Not that I’m biased against Muslims. Try a government run under Christian rule and see what will happen to the Muslims. My bias is against a government based on religion. It should never be allowed. However, as a mere autonomous region is can be tolerable.
Frictions will be avoided if we just concentrate in developing the provinces and the indigenous peoples living therein. No states. No cha-cha. No religion. Just plain and simple development efforts through local autonomy.
mindanaoan on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 10:25 pm
Tax Joven, you are an advocate of lgu autonomy and i’m an advocate of federalism. i look at your advocacy as helpful to mine, but you resent my advocacy because you wish that my effort would be channeled, somehow, to your advocacy. that doesn’t sound reasonable. to understand your opposition to federalism, can you explain to me how, or why, local autonomy is incompatible with a federal set-up? or why a federal system is inappropriate to a multi-culture, multi-language country like ours?
“If it’s all the same with you, why change the system?”
i’m beginning to feel we are talking past each other. what is same is the issue of lgu autonomy, whether unitary or federal, it’s the same issue. but lgu autonomy is not our (federalists) goal. our goal is federalism. so, from your perspective it should be the same, but from my perspective it’s not.
you don’t care for my idea of the proposed federal structure because it wouldn’t be the final thing anyway? should i take it that you believe your idea of local autonomy will be the final thing?
“It is something you’ll learn from experience, not theories.”
i don’t know about you, but i believe control systems theory is applicable to any kind of system, and that forms of government are in fact just different configurations of control-feedback objects (government units) inside the system we are considering.
“Please tell me why the MILF is still so active despite ARMM?”
the milf is an islamist movement. until the world finds a solution to islamism, we have to live with that problem. they have nothing to do with our form of government. and please don’t confuse ‘muslims’ and ‘muslim rebels’. they are not the same.
“Modus vivendi? Yes, if Christians will agree to be second class citizens!”
if christians become second class citizens in the bangsamoro state, the muslims will become second class citizens in our states. that’s the modus vivendi.
“Frictions will be avoided if we just concentrate in developing the provinces and the indigenous peoples living therein.”
now, that’s a motherhood statement.
justice league on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 2:07 am
Mindanaoan,
During the course of the discussion you claimed/stated the following:
1)-you are missing the point if you think ilocanos have autonomy because they hold their lgus. do they have a government that looks over them because they are ilocanos?
2)-people also want to have a government for their cultural group that they can call their own
3)-it is not a function of the present ilocano lgus to look over ilocanos as ilocanos. that is why we are proposing that there should be one.
4)-“no prevention†is not equal to “shouldâ€. this is not about initiative but about function and purpose.
5)-it will not be the local executives who will be doing the NEW function of looking over ilocanos as ilocanos. it will be the function of the state executive. no one can do it today, because that office does not exist, hence, the desire to create such an office.
The following comes from the “LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES”
TITLE ONE. – BASIC PRINCIPLES
CHAPTER 1. – THE CODE: POLICY AND APPLICATION
SEC. 5. Rules of Interpretation. – In the interpretation of the provisions of this Code, the following rules shall apply:
(a)Any provision on a power of a local government unit shall be LIBERALLY INTERPRETED IN ITS FAVOR, and in case of doubt, any question thereon shall be resolved in favor of devolution of powers and of the lower local government unit. Any fair and reasonable doubt as to the existence of the power shall be interpreted in favor of the local government unit concerned;
(c) The GENERAL WELFARE PROVISIONS in this Code shall be LIBERALLY INTERPRETED to give more powers to local government units in accelerating economic development and upgrading the quality of life for the people in the community;
CHAPTER 2. – GENERAL POWERS AND ATTRIBUTES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS
SEC. 16. General Welfare. – Every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as
powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units SHALL ENSURE AND SUPPORT, among other things, THE PRESERVATION AND ENRICHMENT OF CULTURE, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, encourage and support the development of appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, improve public morals, enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote full employment among their residents, maintain peace and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.
This Code is nearly 17 years old. Any power, function, attribute, etc. provided here is definitely not new.
So how does your idea of the LGUs of Ilocanos looking over the Ilocanos as Ilocanos not conform to powers, functions, attributes, etc. already provided herein?
And btw, how many states do you envision in your proposed federal Philippines anyway?
I took a look at MLQ3’s blog entry of “Sultan Sa Ramain speaks, 1934″ and it listed more than a dozen ethnic groups.
Since you imply/state that it will be the function of the “state executive” to look over the cultural group as a cultural group, does this mean every cultural group will have a “state executive” and so hence each cultural group will have a state of their own?
As based on the Blog entry’s map, the Surigaonons are dispersed in about 2 provinces. So will these 2 provinces be 1 state for the Surigaonons?
The Boholanos are concentrated in the province of Bohol. So will Bohol be a single province state?
How about the Pangasinenses?
The Cebuanos and also the Hiligaynons are dispersed over areas/provinces that are not contiguous. Will all the Cebuano’s and Hiligaynon’s areas be considered as a single state respectively?
Tax Joven on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 2:10 am
Mindanaoan, We may indeed be talking past each other. But, maybe only semantics sets us apart. You want federalism. I want power to be divided between central government and local government units. It’s basically the same thing except that you’d like to create states while I want to utilize existing political units.
We can look at it this way. Since Senator Nene Pimentel is open to suggestions on the number of states to be created, I propose that we create as many states as there are cities and provinces. Let’s share or devolve the central government’s power with them as we would do to states. The powers that would be shared with lgu’s would naturally be smaller than those that we would give to states. But, who knows that it might be the best arrangement for us. Remember that there are no hard and fast rules on this.
Federalism differs from country to country, and between federal and unitary systems are varying hues and blends. Fortunately, we’re free to choose or construct the kind that would work for us, given what our aspirations are and the resources that we have. Closest to my heart is the Spanish model which is a highly decentralized unitary system. For this, you may have to rethink your idea of federalism as a goal. Would you really pursue federalism for federalism’s sake?
The beauty of treating lgu’s as though they’re states, but not calling them as such, is that we can go for the fruits promised by federalism without actually going into it, and without the costs. No need for an expensive and debilitating cha-cha. Only plain and simple legislative action! But, truly we have to fight for it. With your help, we might succeed.
justice league on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 2:12 am
Tax Joven,
Cheers.
Tax Joven on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 8:41 am
hvrds : Two Republicans so far have been responsible for ballooning the U.S. Federal Debt. Reagan and off course Bush 43. He has increased the national debt by an amount that is more than the combined debt since G.Washington.
Aren’t you concerned at all that Philippine presidents have been doing the same thing for decades? Where’s you pinoy sense?
mindanaoan on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 10:15 am
justice league, for all the things you enumerated, which of these lgu’s is concerned with the welfare and development of ilocandia as a whole?
i agree with pimentel’s 11 states.
boholano, if you care to know, is a dialect of cebuano. from a national perspective, boholanos and cebuanos, even siquijodnons are the same people.
mindanaoan on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 10:20 am
Tax Joven, are you sugesting we maintain public works department in every lgu?
some functions need to be handled at a state level, that’s why we need states
Tax Joven on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 2:56 pm
PSI: Worrisome are duplicate costs from redundant functions.
leytenian: “… the revenue of our country is smaller than Orlando and Miami. Both city of Orlando and Miami is only run by a mayor. We don’t need useless congress.â€
x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Double cheers! 75 senators and 350 congressmen? A billion jeers!
mindanaoan, Are you actually proposing 11 public works department for the country? And other departments as well? You’ve got to be kidding! A public works department is too big even for a state. All departments should remain with the national government. Only certain functions must be devolved to the lgu’s. Please don’t ask me which ones. Let’s leave the task to experts and legislators.
leytenian on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 8:56 pm
tax joven,
Federalism will not change the structure of the Executive Department. It’s function and duty will be carried out and implemented at the LGU ( city or municipality) depending on the needs of the people. Just like what we have right now. Nothing will change except budgets will come from city revenue. If not enough , it will come directly from NGO’s or other foreign aids or federal government.
Your local autonomy alone with the same centralized power has never been tested to function in the long term especially in the emerging countries. Whereas Federalism is a very flexible system that is applicable to our country with so much diversity: 1007 islands, ethnicity, languages, natural resources unique in one region, size and wealth. Local autonomy alone will not work. It has been proven that central congress comprising of many senators who are from manila are not representing the LGU of Mindanao and the Visayans Island. We want our own kind to manage our own.
how can 11 States be content with the same constitutional status? How can federalism be flexible enough to respect both the principle of equality and that of diversity?”There are three methods: financial asymmetry, constitutional asymmetry and optional asymmetry. Elements of all three can be found in the Canadian federation.
leytenian on Sat, 27th Sep 2008 9:16 pm
Local autonomy is a feature of Federalism. Fiscal federalism is a system of transfer payments or grants by which a federal government shares its revenues with lower levels of government . It means local autonomy of revenue.
Three types of power of a Federal System. Let’s assume we formed the 11 States.
1. Reserved Power- All powers retained by the 11 states are known as reserved powers.
2. Those specifically granted only to the Executive/ Federal/Central government are known as enumerated powers.
3. Concurrent Matters -both the Federal/Union and the state governments have control
justice league on Sun, 28th Sep 2008 2:21 am
Mindanaoan,
“justice league, for all the things you enumerated, which of these lgu’s is concerned with the welfare and development of ilocandia as a whole?”
It will be ANYTHING/ANYONE resulting from the MOA signed by ANY and ALL LGUs of Ilocanos who do care about the welfare and development of Ilocandia whether as a whole or even in part.
Local Government Code-
Article Three. – Inter-Local Government Relations
SEC. 33. Cooperative Undertakings Among Local Government Units. – Local government units may, through appropriate ordinances, group themselves, consolidate, or coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them. In support of such undertakings, the local government units involved may, upon approval by the sanggunian concerned after a public hearing conducted for the purpose, contribute funds, real estate, equipment, and other kinds of property and appoint or assign personnel under such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the participating local units through Memoranda of Agreement.
Apparently that was already an application of Article 10 Sec. 13 and it has already been used.
3 coastal municipalities in Iloilo banded together to rehabilitate the depleted resources of Banate bay and they created the Banate Bay Resource Management Council on February 28, 1996 comprised of representatives from the participating municipalities.
As per agreement of the 3 towns, the council had the SOLE POWER to regulate, protect, and rehabilitate Banate Bay.
2 years later, they won the Galing Pook Foundation Award for Marine Resources Conservation and Management.
So you agree with Sen. Pimentel’s 11 states.
As per Senate Joint resolution 10, it states that:
(A) The State of Northern Luzon.
The State of Northern Luzon shall comprise the provinces of llocos Norte, llocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, and all the cities, municipalities and barangays therein. Until provided otherwise by the State Legislature, Tuguegarao City shall be the capital of the State.
Well, too bad for the Pangasinenses and the Ivatans.
And also there is an interesting provision which reads
New Section. Article I. Dissolution, Secession or Separation of States.
No State may dissolve itself, secede or separate from the Federal Republic unless it first secures the approval of two-thirds of its qualified voters in a plebiscite called for that purpose. Thereafter, the Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, voting separately, act on the proposed dissolution, secession or separation of the State concerned.
Hmmmmm. Very Interesting.
“boholano, if you care to know, is a dialect of cebuano. from a national perspective, boholanos and cebuanos, even siquijodnons are the same people.â€
I have my own issues about Ethnologue but Ethnologue entertains that it is sometimes considered a different language.
But it’s down to language now, isn’t it? Well too bad for the Surigaonon speakers (of Surigao del Norte and parts of Surigao del Sur) then. They don’t seem large in number and Sen. Pimentel’s proposal doesn’t even place them together in the same state.
Tax Joven on Sun, 28th Sep 2008 6:05 am
Leytenian,
You choose not to answer very specific questions. For example, wouldn’t Leyte be better off if funds are directly released to it rather than through a state? Instead, you gave vague assertions. Frankly, I can’t get anything from your first paragraph. Every sentence in it is a puzzle by itself.
“Federalism will not change the structure of the Executive Department.†Please explain. Will it remain national, or will it be copied as is in every state? “Its function and duty will be carried out and implemented at the LGU ( city or municipality) depending on the needs of the people.†Vague! “Just like what we have right now.†What do you mean? “Nothing will change except budgets will come from city revenue. If not enough, it will come directly from NGO’s or other foreign aids or federal government.†By city, are you perhaps referring to the state? So who determines whether enough is enough? Are you saying that federal government’s participation in state revenue is just in the category of NGO or foreign sources, aid? Are you also saying that a state will depend on aid for its operations or survival?
“Local autonomy alone will not work.†Local autonomy is working. Federalists say so themselves, as I quoted earlier. Yet I am not satisfied with what we have. I want it strengthened through legislation. No need for a cha-cha. Yes, federalism is a very flexible system but please show us how it shall be “flexed†enough to suit our country’s unique needs. States, unlike lgu’s, will encounter problems related to the diversity because in any combination of provinces cultures, traditions and aspirations would not be as homogeneous as it is in provinces or cities. The lgc, however, has provisions for cultural and economic linkages within the regions, as cited by justice league.
All we need are automatic and sufficient shares from national taxes. Senators or lawmakers are irrelevant even at state levels. Whatever made you think that Leyte will be better off if you have your own Senators nearby? Senators are not managers, they’re lawmakers. Lawmaking must remain national. Mere ordinances will suffice for local concerns. Your own can better manage your own at the city, provincial and barangay rather than at state level. States, at best, would be unwieldy structures; at worst, it could gobble up your meager resources.
“How can 11 States be content with the same constitutional status?†Of course it can’t, so why create them? Using the Canadian federation as model is a big joke because our income is even much smaller than any of its states. Instead, let’s take a look at any of its states, say, Quebec or Ontario. Essentially, isn’t it working as a unitary system? How come it’s so successful? How about Japan and China? Are we in any way more diverse than any of them?
mindanaoan on Sun, 28th Sep 2008 2:08 pm
Tax Joven,
“All departments should remain with the national government”
this makes our discussion a little clearer because it is at this level that we have our disagreement and not at the lgu level. people in the provinces find the responsiveness of the deparments (let’s call them that, to make it short) wanting. good for you if you are in manila where people in a flooded barangay have no trouble calling on the secretary of the dpwh to fix their problem. but dpwh in the provinces is so exasperating that at one point, cebu threatened to throw out the dpwh and do the work themselves. that’s why federalism is popular among lgu executives. they want lgu autonomy, but unlike you, they also like the idea of federalism, where like manilans, they can also call the department secretary to fix their problem.
and what do you mean by ‘a public works department is too big for a state’? is it about land area, or people, that has to be some size? surely you are aware of some countries smaller than our proposed states. do you think they shouldn’t have a public works department?
mindanaoan on Sun, 28th Sep 2008 4:40 pm
justice league, so it’s okay for you if the lgu’s cooperate in a form of cooperative but not if it’s in a form of government? are you against their forming their own government as a whole because it’s detrimental to them, or is it detrimental to the whole country? or is it because it will lessen the derivative benefits of the concentration of power and resources in manila?
“I have my own issues about Ethnologue but Ethnologue entertains that it is sometimes considered a different language.”
cebuano and boholano is mutually intelligible i have to doubt the credentials of any linguist who say boholano is a different language. it’s like saying batangueno is a different language.
“But it’s down to language now, isn’t it? Well too bad for the Surigaonon speakers…”
it’s not language, it’s ethno-linguistic groupings. we should ask the surigaonons which one they like better, to be under this unitary system, to have a separate state, or become part of a mindanaoan state? or for that matter, we should ask the boholanos whether they want a separate state or be part of a central visayan state? the answer should be obvious.
justice league on Sun, 28th Sep 2008 9:03 pm
Mindanaoan,
There was a thread here in MLQ3’s blog about “SPIN”.
SPIN! SPIN! SPIN!
But moving on to your present questions.
“so it’s okay for you if the lgu’s cooperate in a form of cooperative”
Given the present Constitution and laws as I know them; I’m going to say yes.
“but not if it’s in a form of government”
Hmmmmm….. Is it okay for you if they coooperate in a monarchic, communistic, dictatorial ………. form of government?
“are you against their forming their own government as a whole because it’s detrimental to them, or is it detrimental to the whole country?”
Is that a serious question? I suggest you go back to my earlier answer above.
“or is it because it will lessen the derivative benefits of the concentration of power and resources in manila?”
There is all this BLAH BLAH BLAH from certain public officials allegedly in support of deconcentration of power and resources so why don’t you cash in on such support right now WITHIN the present Constitution.
I agree to your deconcentration as long as you do it within this present Constitution.
“cebuano and boholano is mutually intelligible i have to doubt the credentials of any linguist who say boholano is a different language.”
I wrote them earlier about another concern and you’re definitely free to bring up your issue with them.
“it’s not language, it’s ethno-linguistic groupings. we should ask the surigaonons which one they like better, to be under this unitary system, to have a separate state, or become part of a mindanaoan state? or for that matter, we should ask the boholanos whether they want a separate state or be part of a central visayan state? the answer should be obvious.”
Well you ALREADY AGREED to Sen. Pimentel’s 11 states.
So when did all these concern for asking the surigaonons and boholanos come in?
justice league on Sun, 28th Sep 2008 9:09 pm
I mean going back to my earlier answer above on the question of cooperating in a form of government.
mindanaoan on Sun, 28th Sep 2008 10:59 pm
justice league,
surely you are aware that the present constitution allows revision to itself, and that the resulting revision will become THE constitution and your argument will fall flat because at that time it will be the present constitution?
asking the surigaonons and the boholanos was a rhetorical question. we know they are not clamoring for their own separate states.
so, again, what is it about federalism you find objectionable? is it detrimental to anyone, to any group, or to our country as a whole?
justice league on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 12:23 am
Mindanaoan,
1) “surely you are aware that the present constitution allows revision to itself”
Of course!
2) “and that the resulting revision will become THE constitution”
Yes!
3) “and your argument will fall flat because at that time it will be the present constitution”
If that Constitution will allow a set up of a Dictatorial form, etc……….. MY ARGUMENTS FALLING FLAT WILL BE THE LEAST OF MY CONCERNS!
4) “asking the surigaonons and the boholanos was a rhetorical question.”
Ahhhhhhhh! So you weren’t concerned in asking after all.
5) “so, again, what is it about federalism you find objectionable?”
Well definitely you are going to drag us into a costly process of revising the Charter for federalism for issues you haven’t convinced anyone other than YOUR CHOIR is not achievable in the present Constitution as well as the dissolution and near dissolution of Federal countries, etc ……………..
6) “is it detrimental to anyone”
If it leads to the fragmentation of the country; it’s going to be detrimental to a lot of “anyones”.
7) “to any group”
Well we could ask the Pangasinenses, Ivatans, Surigaonons, etc….. about that concern.
Ahhhh. I remember. You are not concerned to ask, right?
There have been a number of instances where the “wholeness” of a federal country has undergone/undergoing considerable danger and there a number of federal countries that AREN’T EVEN WHOLE anymore.
justice league on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 12:24 am
WTH.
Where did that smiley come from?
mindanaoan on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 2:10 am
justice league,
“Well definitely you are going to drag us into a costly process…”
the constitution defines the procedure on how to revise it, and if the proponents of the revision comply with all of its requirements, we are bound by the same constitution to entertain them, aren’t we, cost and all?
“If it leads to the fragmentation of the country; it’s going to be detrimental to a lot of “anyonesâ€.”
the purpose of giving autonomy to the regions is to address the complaint that their is an unequitable distribution of government resources and services among the regions. the question is, why would there be more desire to secede if this source of discontentment is removed, than if this discontentment remain?
“Ahhhh. I remember. You are not concerned to ask, right?”
you made it sound as if i don’t care about the these people, when it’s you who don’t care about the aspirations of other people.
“There have been a number of instances where the “wholeness†of a federal country has undergone/undergoing considerable danger and there a number of federal countries that AREN’T EVEN WHOLE anymore.”
can you prove that it’s their federal form of government that’s causing them to break up, and that had they been unitary they wouldn’t have broken up? which among the 26 federal countries do you have in mind that’s undergone/undergoing considerable danger?
i think you fear is unwarranted. in fact, we can become united only if we recognize that we are not one.
mindanaoan on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 2:19 am
hehe. it ’s the 8 and the )
leytenian on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 2:40 am
it’s definitely very difficult to explain federalism to senators who are lawyers because they may not be able to understand the management aspect of public service. besides , our judicial system is number 6th of the most corrupt in Asia. why should I trust the Senate from Manila? The provinces and the middle class have lost their respect. Politicians in our country is not a noble job. It’s always been dirty and it needs some kind of shock- like Federalism.
Read Canadian Federalism, Read European Federalism, Read all the progressive countries Federalism for better understanding. google search .. local autonomy is lip service. it is very short term not long term.
leytenian on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 3:06 am
tax joven,
“How can 11 States be content with the same constitutional status?†it can’t”
yes it can. devolution of power under One Constitution, subsidiarity and delegating tasks. Management of the Law
Local autonomy has been practice by many cities already. Your proposal is not NEW. It’s been implemented by Cebu, Davao, Quezon City and other major cities in the country. What’s setting us back in our country is the conflict in Mindanao. Give them the State they want and give the Visayans State they want. Our management style of local autonomy scares foreign investors. FDI is not attractive in our country. e don’t have clear rules and regulations.
“How about Japan and China? Are we in any way more diverse than any of them?”
You are comparing apples to banana. China is not as stable as you think.
leytenian on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 3:17 am
Federalism Checks the Power of the Central Government:
Here are some lessons we can learn from the american federalism:
“Vesting power in two levels of government, dividing it by making each level supreme in its separate sphere, was one solution to the problem of how to grant necessary authority to government without creating such concentrated power that liberty would suffer.
• Federalism’s ability to accommodate local issues also contributes to democracy by decentralizing policies and politics. States can adopt widely varying policies on the same problem, thereby providing the means for citizens to live in a state where the policy suits their moral or cultural values.
• The states often are called laboratories of democracy, and for good reason. Innovative programs and policies from welfare and educational reform to health and safety regulation repeatedly have come first from state governments. Long before the national government acted, a number of states abolished slavery, extended the right to vote to women, African Americans, and 18-year-olds, and provided for the direct election of U.S. senators, among other reforms.
• A federal system also expands participation in politics and government: the more levels of government, the greater the opportunity to vote and hold office. Many of these offices are training grounds for future national leadership.
• Additional levels of government also increase access to decision-making in ways other than holding office. Interest groups blocked from influence at one level of government may find a better reception for their ideas at another level. During the 1950s and 1960s, civil rights advocates faced strong opposition from Southern states that opposed racial integration, but they found support in the national government for their efforts to achieve racial equality.
• Finally, federalism enhances democracy by providing a platform for effective criticism and opposition to governmental policies and practices. A political party out of power nationally still may capture state and local offices that allow it to challenge national priorities or decisions. ”
http://www.america.gov/st/usg-english/2007/January/20071128094357abretnuH0.8318903.html
leytenian on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 3:30 am
Success of India’s Democracy thru Federalism: Unity in Diversity
” A changed federal system
India has moved a long way from co-operative federalism, where states and the central government jointly plan and carry out programs, to competitive federalism – where individual states compete in terms of services offered, including lower tax bases. The country still has a strong central government, but it does not have the same clout as it once wielded in the days when CONGRESS was the dominant party .”
http://www.forumfed.org/en/products/magazine/vol7_num1/india_cajoling.php
justice league on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 3:48 am
Mindanaoan,
1) “the constitution defines the procedure on how to revise it, and if the proponents of the revision comply with all of its requirements, we are bound by the same constitution to entertain them, aren’t we, cost and all”
Yup. I’m not averse to revising the Constitution per se. But that “cost and all” goes hand in hand with issues you can’t defend as not achievable in the present Charter.
2) “the purpose of giving autonomy to the regions is to address the complaint that their is an unequitable distribution of government resources and services among the regions.”
Read the Constitution and read the laws. Congress seems amenable to give more autonomy by revising the Charter so there should be little reason for them to deny it in the present one so they should be agreeable to amending the Local Government Code etc…….
3) “the question is, why would there be more desire to secede if this source of discontentment is removed, than if this discontentment remain?”
I looked up Senate Joint Resolution #10 which embodies Sen. Pimentel’s proposal.
If Sen. Pimentel didn’t entertain the possibility of any desire to secede even if ANY source of discontentment has already been removed; why is there an article on “Dissolution, Secession or Separation of States”?
Did you bother to read Senate Joint Resolution #10?
4) “you made it sound as if i don’t care about the these people, when it’s you who don’t care about the aspirations of other people.”
Oh I do care enough.
But I’m not the one unable to justify that those aspirations can’t be attained with the current Constitution.
5) “can you prove that it’s their federal form of government that’s causing them to break up, and that had they been unitary they wouldn’t have broken up”
I never claimed that their federal form of government that’s causing them to break up.
What is definite is that their federal form of government was unable to prevent it and that runs smack against claims that a federal form of government will prevent secession.
And that in certain instances it makes it EASIER to secede. Read Senate Joint Resolution #10. Read about Quebec.
6) “which among the 26 federal countries do you have in mind that’s undergone/undergoing considerable danger?”
Is that a serious question?
There’s Canada with Quebec, India with Kashmyr and Jammu, Pakistan with Bangladesh, USA with ………………..
7) “i think you fear is unwarranted.”
Not based on above.
Well I already told you to cash in on all that BLAH BLAH BLAH by politicians by demanding them the deconcentration of power and resources WITHIN the present Constitution.
I THINK I WILL BE MOVING ON NOW.
But just in case you want to pursue a federalist cause without the ability of defending it; you have my permission to use the battlecry below in its totality!
“Gusto nilang gawin! Kaya nilang gawin! Pero hindi nila ginagawa!
KAYA ANG TANGING SOLUSYON AY PALITAN ANG SALIGANG BATAS!”
Bye. And thanks for explaining the smiley.
mindanaoan on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 10:23 am
no problem, justice league.
Tax Joven on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 2:59 pm
Leytenian: What’s setting us back in our country is the conflict in Mindanao. Give them the State they want and give the Visayans State they want.
How do you want this done? How many states does Mindanao want? How will this resolve the Mindanao conflict?
Local autonomy is practiced throughout the country, not just in the provinces and cities you mentioned. I just want to give them more.
Tax Joven on Mon, 29th Sep 2008 3:12 pm
This post is from http://fedecentralize.wordpress.com/
What’s in a name? If this were the case I’d also go for federalism: shared powers between central government and its constituent political subdivisions. Only, I won’t call it federalism. Also, I won’t refer to the political subdivisions as states. Instead I’d call them as they are: provinces and chartered cities. It may not be constitutionally mandated, but it is allowed.
Sharing powers with lgu’s rather than states is not just about working within the parameters of the 1987 Constitution. It has its intrinsic merits. It is doable now or anytime, it is less expensive and disruptive, and it can go for the fruits promised by federalism while deflecting the dangers poised upon our poor country be federalists. Senator Nene Pimentel says that his federalism will cause the speedy development of the entire country by unleashing the forces of competitiveness among the States. Nothing is farther from the truth. The real competition is between and among cities and municipalities, not even among provinces. Most businesses are either city or town based. It is there where businesses get their permits. States cannot and should not alter this arrangement.
Val Abelgas disputes the Senator’s claim in his article entitled The Folly of Federalism, thusly: “It will create additional layers of bureaucracy that will lead to even more red tape, corruption and confusion. Businessmen and investors will be the most adversely affected as they will have to contend with conflicting and confusing laws from various states/regions. Can you imagine 11 states with their own agencies on commerce and industry, housing, health, transportation, education, etc. and the federal government having its own, too, all with their own sets of rules?â€
Another claim by Senator Pimentel is that his federalism will dissipate the causes of rebellion in the country, Mindanao in particular. The opposite is true. His kind of federalism will enhance the causes of rebellion in the country: poverty through failed governance. The shift towards federalism is so expensive and disruptive that it will aggravate the sufferings of our people leading to further destabilization. It will eat up resources that otherwise could go towards poverty alleviation.
In an article entitled Financing Federalism Leonor Magtolis-Briones wrote: “Students of public finance have been pointing out that the creation of an additional layer of government—namely the state—will inevitably lead to higher levels of expenditures. This is because the machinery of the states has to be maintained, along with that of the federal government and the local government units. Pressure for higher levels of expenditures will inevitably lead to pressure for increased levels of taxes.†This concern does not even mention the added cost of maintaining 75 Senators and 350 Congressmen. Senator Nene Pimentel probably thinks that we are overjoyed with the antics of our do nothing Senators and Congressmen that he wants to create and create more and more of them!
It not just federal financing that will aggravate the causes of rebellion. Mere creation of states also will. It will create diversity and conflict where there is none. I believe in unity in diversity. But creating a union to create diversity is another thing. This is what happens when provinces are formed into a state. To be able to understand this point better, please take a look at the proposed State of Northern Luzon. It shall comprise the provinces of llocos Norte, llocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, and all the cities, municipalities and barangays therein. Until provided otherwise by the State Legislature, Tuguegarao City shall be the capital of the State. Even the seemingly homogeneous Bicol region would experience one form of inter-provincial conflict or another. Wait ‘til they start defining the rules. Wait ‘til Masbate and Catanduanes start fighting it out for the state’s attention!
But nothing so bad will happen in Luzon and in the Visayas compared to what Mindanao would go through if it tries to organize and operate a Muslim state. I don’t know why anyone would promote the organization of a state based on religion, more so if it is done at gunpoint. I would not want theocracy for even the worst of my enemies. I would not will it for Muslims or Christians. I shudder at the specter of another MOA-AD, a version far more bloody than one can ever imagine. The Muslim problem sprung from years of government apathy and neglect. It is a condition shared by Christian settlers as well. It is neither political nor religious. It is economic, stupid!
Senator Nene Pimentel succeeded in getting the support of ULAP and other local government organizations by using a bait called 20/80. They can see the figures, but not the hook! History will be repeating itself once more as when Congress devolved the functions of agriculture, social welfare and health services. It conveniently forgot to provide the necessary funds. The curses of the aggrieved devolved personnel are still on the lead man, Senator Nene Pimentel. Now he wants to strike LGU’s a more lethal blow. Actually very little of the 80% state share would reach the LGU’s because its 30% share will likely be not be enough for its own maintenance and other operating expenditures. The result will be more confusion, wrangling and hardships.
Federalists brag that opposition to federalism springs from ignorance. The contrary is true. Many people support federalism because of ignorance. They will reject federalism if they know what it is. One supporter thought that there will be a state for Ilocanos, Cebuanos, Bicolanos, etc. Alas it is not to be so. A blogger who posted at MLQ3 blog wrapped in a flag as justice league has this to say:
“… just in case you want to pursue a federalist cause without the ability of defending it; you have my permission to use the battle cry below in its totality!â€
“Gusto nilang gawin! Kaya nilang gawin! Pero hindi nila ginagawa! KAYA ANG TANGING SOLUSYON AY PALITAN ANG SALIGANG BATAS!â€
leytenian on Thu, 2nd Oct 2008 8:00 am
Managing Philippines thru Federalism( my view)
I would like to assume Federalism of 11 States as branches rather than provinces or regions. Provinces and regions are too many and too diversified in terms of getting information, auditing financial records and consolidation of data. A State will consolidate all such information in one place. Managing 11 States rather than too many provinces and regions is actually a sound policy in terms of Management. It doesn’t have to be called the “State” . In Business Management, the 11 states are more like the branch offices, functioning with the same rules and regulations ( The constitution) like the head office/malacanang Therefore, understanding the State as a branch office requires a Managers in each branch Office. These Managers are the job description of a Senator. Congressman and a Governor.
Today… Malacanang cannot monitor all the provinces and regions because senators have no direct access to real issues coming from the bottom- the people. The middlemen- congressmen and governors are supposed to be in the middle to gather information from the bottom and report this information to the top. The Management style of our system has always been from TOP to BOTTOM, instead of bottom to TOP.
Tax Joven on Thu, 2nd Oct 2008 1:12 pm
You speak of a kind of federalism that is uniquely yours. I’m not even sure if it can classified as one. It appears to be more of a bungled unitary system. You treat a state as a management tool, not as a policy making body. And, you redefined certain positions, WOW!
Federalism is pushed precisely to address a clamor for a Muslim state. You are against it. Or, at least, you will not allow it to adopt and practice Muslim laws. You said, “It bothers me to see such a great and noble religion dragged through the mud by its own. It is notable how differently Sharia law is implemented throughout the Muslim world. It seems women are more often punished than men. Also, corruption and cheating are seemingly not punished at all.â€
You also wrote, “Lower levels of elective office can constitute an arena for training and recruiting new political leaders, including women and young people who have not previously had a role in political life. And these lower levels of democracy provide a more accessible means for citizens to become active in public affairs, such as to question their local officials, monitor what they do, present their interests and concerns, and learn the skills and values of democratic citizenship.†This is not applicable to states, only to provinces and cities.
You wrote, “… the revenue of our country is smaller than Orlando and Miami. Both city of Orlando and Miami is only run by a mayor. We don’t need useless congress.†And yet, you want to put up lawmaking bodies in every state. Also departments. Oh, I’m sorry. You said senators and congressmen will not make laws. They will be managers. Right?
Tax Joven on Fri, 10th Oct 2008 3:13 am
Wrapped in the flag. Displaced. Hungry. Angry. BJE.
Causes: time warp, selective history, failed governance, greed, apathy, stupidity.
Flawed solutions: Brute force, selective history over reality, gun over reason, a theocratic state.
Immediate response to on-going atrocities is one thing. Going after criminals is another. It is police work. Not the AFP’s or the PAF’s. Is it worth killing a criminal when an innocent one dies with him? Collateral damage. Are we at war? With whom? Who minds the refugees? The displaced children?
For decades we have virtually left our people to fend for themselves. Even when people get wrapped in flags, we still do. We are too busy importing rice to notice that Mindanao is not producing enough because nobody is buying its produce at the right price at the right time! Now, how can they farm when they’re on the run?