Randy PONTERAS' View

Impulses on the Current Political Economy

By: Prof. Randy Reyes Ponteras

July2, 2008

I come to know that the study of Political Science is focus on Political Theories, Public Law and Public Administration. As such, our chaotic society is as meaningful as it is defined by Political Science. But as a close observer and direct participant in the current political discourses, I sense that what is true by the books of Political Science will be challenged hardly in the coming few days, as it is presently being side-swift and/or undermined from all directions of the body politik. The following Global and National political-economic phenomena should be closely observed and defined by any student of Political Science.

In the International Arena

1. Supra-national bodies such as EU and WTO are taking the course more aggressively than a sovereign nation. EU and WTO are International Organizations buttressed by an International Treaty, but they are taking more of a function of a state. As such, EU and WTO may not have a power of eminent domain but they have police power and power of taxation.
2. The Uni-polar superpower, the USA, will soon elect an Afro-american president for the first time in their national history. Senator Barrack Obama, a first term-senator, have pledge to pull-out in six (6) months their military occupation in Iraq once he is seated to the White House. Obama’s candidacy is unprecedented in US history in many aspects, e.g. his age, source of political contributions, interest of the young voters and of course his color.
3. The issue of Global Warming vis-à-vis oil crisis, expansion of bio-fuel plantations and the Food/Rice shortage will continue to haunt our world leaders and our international relations. Former US Vice President Al Gore have effectively put forward the issue of climate change in the international arena, by providing a sustained mass appeal and pressure, to act on a warning before it’s too late. The Kyoto Protocol on Carbon Dioxide Emission has been gathering dust in the biggest pollutant in the world, the USA.
4. Is China a superpower now? Observers are one in saying: China has all the elements of a superpower except one, international “control and influence.” Many observers said that the Beijing Olympics is “coming-out party of the sleeping dragon.” China has the financial and military might, but it is yet to make its presence felt in the international community. But take note, China is now in Africa doing business and humanitarian assistance at the same time. What about the NBN-ZTE deal?
5. South America continent is going “red.” Except for Mexico and two others, the rest of South America is either lead by left-of-center party or openly socialist regimes now. Remember, Cuba is still under Fidel Castro, Brazil is under Partido de Trabajadores of Lula da Silva and Hugo Chavez, a socialist superstar is still the man to beat in oil-rich Venezuela. A socialist candidate in Mexico lost last election by a close margin of 48-52. So, is it relevant to read Das Kapital?

In Our National Front

1. Charter change will continue to be at the agenda of our congress. “Fed up? Go Federal,” the motto of Federalistas would say. At the same time, the economic pressure is just so hard to resist. If it is not possible by way of “open and legal” amendments, Philippine Constitution can be circumvented by a Treaty or a Supreme Court ruling. Take the JPEPA case, the Power of Taxation like imposing or removing custom duties is bundled with the treaty when formally it is a fundamental duty of congress to set rules and regulations for the government’s revenue generation program. In the same manner, the new Mining Law was affirmed by Supreme Court decision as constitutional, whereby a 100% foreign-owned mining company is now allowed to do business in the country. The “majority-control” of Filipino in the economy is watered-down.
2. The Moro war of liberation will not and cannot be solved with-in the legal framework of the present constitution. The sense of many scholars, the MILF-GRP Peace negotiation deadlock will be solve only outside the 1987 Philippine Constitution. I fully agree, the solution of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination can be more political than constitutional. Or else, war will always be a convenient excuse for both sides of the peace panel. An out of the box suggestion, what about ‘two-system, one county’ policy like Macau or Hongkong-China model? (May God forbid this to happen) But just this week information from close associates in the ground had told me, war drumbeats in Central Mindanao are getting stronger.
3. The integrity of our Comelec and the whole electoral process is also a time bomb waiting to happen. The 2004 “Hello Garci” scandal is still in the collective memory of our people. The election of Trillanes by 11 millions votes and the losing of Koko Pimentel in few municipalities of Maguindanao in 2007 election were telling signs of bad omen for the present administration.
4. The OFW phenomenon will continue without hope of ending as I see it. Nursing schools are still packed. Foreign Embassies are busy screening to reject applications. Filipino family demography is changing, including public norms and mores. The social costs of the families that are left behind are evident and full of sorrowful stories. The returning OFW are displaced and lack business skills, and are force to go abroad once again. This is indeed a Diaspora of a whole generation of Filipinos!
5. Beyond 2010, our daunting task of reform and good governance still remains. The task for national take-off to prosperity and development after Gloria Arroyo Regime starts today. For now, I have many questions that remain to be answered.

1. Assuming there will be a smooth transition of power in 2010, are people ready to forgive and forget the Arroyo Regime and its conspirator?

2. What if the “palace-sponsored coup” is executed, what option do we have?

3.

How do we ensure people empowerment so that we will not need an “Edsa-people power” all over again?

4. Lastly, what is our immediate task towards eliminating a scandalous and anomalous Arroyo Regime?

Your answer is as good as mine.

As it is, we are in an extra-ordinary time. Our global and national political-economic landscape is redefining right before our eyes. Keep your books; study your theories, your law and your philosophy. Find order in the dis-order of reality if you can. If you are lost in legal and political parlance of Aristotle, Karl Marx or Joaquin Bernas, please get back to the classroom and just recite the Preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Sukran!