Tomorrow
Is it far easier to throw stones than to build a house? Such question comes to mind more often these days.
In MLQ3's post, "Are Filipinos Ready to Cha-Cha to Get Rid of President Arroyo?" at the end of it he summarizes our political impasse: we agree on status quo and the proposal of charter change is aimed to break it, though its intent is not better governance. And sadly--- such words echo true, and our professional political operators, the authors and blind stewards of this nation remain locked in their insatiable parasitic greed. It is of course such breath of fresh air to read presentations by distinguished gentlemen like Father Bernas and Christian Monsod, men who have an intimate understanding of our situation and who offer credible answers to our impasse. These three gentlemen have an astue understanding of the situation and it is poignant to think, they are not in positions of greater influence in our national lives.
The world of course moves forward--- and the challenges of our time demand we move faster to keep pace. Challenges like the uncertain and often rising oil price--- individuals and often nation-states like ours have neither power nor control over, ought to dominate our prioirity. How can a nation grow without meeting the Energy Demands of our era? Industries of our time all need more power and with our national priorities locked perpetually in a stalemate, is it farfetched to subscribe to the doomsayers and the cynics where this nation is going to end up in?
the political opposition is pushing forward with an impeachment campaign. its goal is one thing--- the removal of president arroyo. though on one hand, it gives the president every opportunity to defend herself, and for us folks in the sidelines, to bring the questions to light and answers for it. of course, we already know the answers there is. of course there is a difference in what law and history will write and say.
People in all quarters agree our institutions have been shaken to their foundation. And with the controversy over our last national and local election attest to, even that is not sacred ground. The election of Joseph Estrada was proof positive of the people's voice and in our reckless abandonment of our electoral process, we took to the streets and ousted him. It is not to say, Estrada didn't have it coming, like many of our leaders, his greatest failure is not looking after the people who elected him. And many of us, capable, middle class folk usurp power once more and our intent for a better world like most, if not all revolutions do, has bit us back.
I can not help but wonder though, if impeachment is the wisest course of action to resolve this issue because i find the truth in Mr. Monsod's words better and i have written about it before: the 2007 elections will serve as an indirect referendum on mrs. arroyo. at the same time, how valid will such a referendum be, when everyone will be running under her banner, when at present, no indications of anyone else contesting seats everywhere or the mechanism to do so? still, it is too soon to tell, our cynicism shouldn't make the better of us. Perhaps quietly, people who want to make a difference are preparing to run for eletion. There should be elections in 2007 and it ought to be a referendum on the President. We ought to have more faith.
Our country's divisions are such widespread and deep and our only recourse is to keep the status quo, as mlq3 and many people have correctly analyzed. truth of the matter is, to right this ship of state will require that election in 2007. It will require we call for a Constitutional Convention and for how long it should take, let them draft our manifesto--- a belief, to put into words our aspirations, dreams and hopes. Federalism, Parliamentary--- or however you call it, no study has reveiled a correlation between any system and national success. The only way to right this ship of state is to do it properly, with the ideal of good governance and social justice as our guide, no matter what tools we use.
As often as I have written it--- the past must be accepted. We must accept twenty years of Marcos, the six years of Cory, of Ramos, the election and eviction of Joseph Estrada and the controversy of Gloria. We take it all as lessons learned, painful for certain but without this acceptance, no new governing document, no new election, no leader, no government can take us forward.
Ms. Karen Calilung wrote "The good and the bad". Ms. Calilung was brutally honest that she isn't happy to be Filipino. she then told the story of how terrible Filipinos are to each other on the road and how she and her mother had breakfast in Greenhills and how her mother left her bag and how it was properly returned. She had this to say: "It took just one act of kindness for me to believe in my countrymen again. I remember one Bible story where God told a prophet He would save a town if he could find just 10 good people there. The Philippines, I think, has much more than that."
There are many different ways how you can say this, and men everywhere know this aphorism: "God forgot to write a manual when He built women". Perhaps, the same can be said about Filipinos. Fact: there are many good men and women out there and are Filipino and they lament how the system is flawed and needs fixing. this is a question only tomorrow can answer: is it easier to throw stones than to build a house?
The world of course moves forward--- and the challenges of our time demand we move faster to keep pace. Challenges like the uncertain and often rising oil price--- individuals and often nation-states like ours have neither power nor control over, ought to dominate our prioirity. How can a nation grow without meeting the Energy Demands of our era? Industries of our time all need more power and with our national priorities locked perpetually in a stalemate, is it farfetched to subscribe to the doomsayers and the cynics where this nation is going to end up in?
the political opposition is pushing forward with an impeachment campaign. its goal is one thing--- the removal of president arroyo. though on one hand, it gives the president every opportunity to defend herself, and for us folks in the sidelines, to bring the questions to light and answers for it. of course, we already know the answers there is. of course there is a difference in what law and history will write and say.
People in all quarters agree our institutions have been shaken to their foundation. And with the controversy over our last national and local election attest to, even that is not sacred ground. The election of Joseph Estrada was proof positive of the people's voice and in our reckless abandonment of our electoral process, we took to the streets and ousted him. It is not to say, Estrada didn't have it coming, like many of our leaders, his greatest failure is not looking after the people who elected him. And many of us, capable, middle class folk usurp power once more and our intent for a better world like most, if not all revolutions do, has bit us back.
I can not help but wonder though, if impeachment is the wisest course of action to resolve this issue because i find the truth in Mr. Monsod's words better and i have written about it before: the 2007 elections will serve as an indirect referendum on mrs. arroyo. at the same time, how valid will such a referendum be, when everyone will be running under her banner, when at present, no indications of anyone else contesting seats everywhere or the mechanism to do so? still, it is too soon to tell, our cynicism shouldn't make the better of us. Perhaps quietly, people who want to make a difference are preparing to run for eletion. There should be elections in 2007 and it ought to be a referendum on the President. We ought to have more faith.
Our country's divisions are such widespread and deep and our only recourse is to keep the status quo, as mlq3 and many people have correctly analyzed. truth of the matter is, to right this ship of state will require that election in 2007. It will require we call for a Constitutional Convention and for how long it should take, let them draft our manifesto--- a belief, to put into words our aspirations, dreams and hopes. Federalism, Parliamentary--- or however you call it, no study has reveiled a correlation between any system and national success. The only way to right this ship of state is to do it properly, with the ideal of good governance and social justice as our guide, no matter what tools we use.
As often as I have written it--- the past must be accepted. We must accept twenty years of Marcos, the six years of Cory, of Ramos, the election and eviction of Joseph Estrada and the controversy of Gloria. We take it all as lessons learned, painful for certain but without this acceptance, no new governing document, no new election, no leader, no government can take us forward.
Ms. Karen Calilung wrote "The good and the bad". Ms. Calilung was brutally honest that she isn't happy to be Filipino. she then told the story of how terrible Filipinos are to each other on the road and how she and her mother had breakfast in Greenhills and how her mother left her bag and how it was properly returned. She had this to say: "It took just one act of kindness for me to believe in my countrymen again. I remember one Bible story where God told a prophet He would save a town if he could find just 10 good people there. The Philippines, I think, has much more than that."
There are many different ways how you can say this, and men everywhere know this aphorism: "God forgot to write a manual when He built women". Perhaps, the same can be said about Filipinos. Fact: there are many good men and women out there and are Filipino and they lament how the system is flawed and needs fixing. this is a question only tomorrow can answer: is it easier to throw stones than to build a house?
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2 comments:
You wrote: "Perhaps quietly, people who want to make a difference are preparing to run for election. There should be elections in 2007 and it ought to be a referendum on the President. We ought to have more faith."
I would add, apart from faith, we should have a greater sense of responsibility going into the elections. It is not enough for us to let the pundits formulate our opinions for us - especially about those who would be our leaders. People - voters - should take the time to understand the issues; should hold their elected representatives accountable; and should help spread the word that leaders should be chosen based on criteria more meaningful than popularity.
I like your words, my brother. And tho' I suspect you might not always agree with mine, I would appreicate it if you could pay me a visit here.
thanks! :)
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