What are we to do with corrupt elders? Or respected family members exposed to corrupt political practices due to a corrupt political system that has tainted and governed their lives since their were born or have joined this corrupt political system?
Scene 1
Elder 1: Kapatid, pakitulungan mo sa trabaho yung pamangkin mo. Kapag naikuha mo na siya ng trabaho, hindi ka na niya gagambalain sa trabaho at kunin mo na rin yung budega sa likod.
Elder 2: Sige, pag-iisipan ko.
Scene 2
Elder 2: Ipasok mo yung pinsan mo sa trabaho. Alam kong bawal ito pero ipasok mo na rin.
Related Government Official: Hindi ho naaayon sa batas ang ganito. Ano po ang sasabihin ng tao kung nalaman nilang ako ang nagpasok sa kanya?
Elder 2: Alalahanin mo, tumulong ako sa kandidatura mo, at hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng pera.
Related Government Official: Ganito ba ang magkaroon ng utang na loob sa politika? Ang kapangyarihan talaga naman, sadyang napakamahal ang kabayaran.
Scene 3
Sa langit...
Elder 3: Ginamit ko ang lahat ng kakayahang ibinigay sa akin ng Diyos para ipagtanggol ang prisipyo ng katamaan at ipinaglaban ang nakakabuti sa lahat, hindi nang sa akin lamang, noong ako'y nabubuhay pa.
Subalit mukhang mahihirapan ang aking mga pinakamamahal sa pagtataguyod ng mga adhikaing aking ipinakita at itinuro sa kanila, ngayong ang ibang mga nakakatanda ay hindi tumanda sa pagiging tama hindi lamang sa salita kundi na rin sa gawa.
Ang Panginoong Diyos ang sanang manatili ninyong kataas-taasang patnugot sa lahat ng inyong desisyon at mga gawain. Alalahanin ninyo,
"Ang mabuting pangalan ay mas dakila pa sa anumang kayamanan."
- Proverbs 22:1 -
More to come.
Friday, May 30, 2008
To Federalize or Not to Federalize
To federalize or not to federalize, that is the issue.
Recently, Senator Aquilino Pimentel presented Senate Resolution No. 10, which primarily revolves around the proposal to transform the Philippines into a federal republic.
But first, what is federalism? Although the term has many connotations, the essential feature of federalism, in simple terms, is the notion that national and sub-national levels of government are sovereign in their own right. Hence, in a federal government, functions are clearly specified. If foreign relations and national defense are exclusive functions of the national government, then garbage collection and zone redistricting of real estate property (whether a specific local area is commercial, industrial, and residential) belongs to the local government.
Each level of government then does not interfere in the actions taken and decisions made by appropriate government levels. The national government has no authority to dictate policy when it is clear that matters at issue are within the legitimate scope of local governments and vice-versa. The notion of centralized governance where frequent interference by national authorities were expected ought to be non-existent as determined by law. During the period of Spanish rule in the Philippines, this meant Madrid deciding whether Pasig river ought to have lesser number of boats in order to lessen the traffic in the canal.
This system of government certainly curtails the influence of the central government, especially with regard to one of the most important of all governmental functions, resource allocation. In a unitary republic such as the Philippines today, apppropriation of the public money, due to Marcos era decrees left unchanged even today, provides extensive appropriation powers to the Philippine President although under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is clear that the Philippine Congress is the de jure government institution delegated with the "power of the purse."
The result being that local government units had to literally beg the central government for money and even use corrupt practices in order to access public funds. This system must be changed. Not only does it teaches bad government habits to young politicians, local officials, and future civil servants, but also destroy the system of checks and balances purposely enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.
For the reason stated above, I vote for a shift to a federal form of government. I may disagree with the final draft of the proposed changes. But it is high time to decentralize a dysfunctional system that perpetuates graft and corruption in the Philippines, a nation so gifted with educated, professional, and skilled individuals, but cannot even elect a government untainted even by "modest" corrupt practices.
More to come on this topic.
Recently, Senator Aquilino Pimentel presented Senate Resolution No. 10, which primarily revolves around the proposal to transform the Philippines into a federal republic.
But first, what is federalism? Although the term has many connotations, the essential feature of federalism, in simple terms, is the notion that national and sub-national levels of government are sovereign in their own right. Hence, in a federal government, functions are clearly specified. If foreign relations and national defense are exclusive functions of the national government, then garbage collection and zone redistricting of real estate property (whether a specific local area is commercial, industrial, and residential) belongs to the local government.
Each level of government then does not interfere in the actions taken and decisions made by appropriate government levels. The national government has no authority to dictate policy when it is clear that matters at issue are within the legitimate scope of local governments and vice-versa. The notion of centralized governance where frequent interference by national authorities were expected ought to be non-existent as determined by law. During the period of Spanish rule in the Philippines, this meant Madrid deciding whether Pasig river ought to have lesser number of boats in order to lessen the traffic in the canal.
This system of government certainly curtails the influence of the central government, especially with regard to one of the most important of all governmental functions, resource allocation. In a unitary republic such as the Philippines today, apppropriation of the public money, due to Marcos era decrees left unchanged even today, provides extensive appropriation powers to the Philippine President although under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is clear that the Philippine Congress is the de jure government institution delegated with the "power of the purse."
The result being that local government units had to literally beg the central government for money and even use corrupt practices in order to access public funds. This system must be changed. Not only does it teaches bad government habits to young politicians, local officials, and future civil servants, but also destroy the system of checks and balances purposely enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.
For the reason stated above, I vote for a shift to a federal form of government. I may disagree with the final draft of the proposed changes. But it is high time to decentralize a dysfunctional system that perpetuates graft and corruption in the Philippines, a nation so gifted with educated, professional, and skilled individuals, but cannot even elect a government untainted even by "modest" corrupt practices.
More to come on this topic.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Private Monopoly vs. Public Monopoly - the Case of Meralco
Although I believe in the concept of capitalism, private property, and market economy, the statement of Senator Joker Arroyo, "only the Lopezes now how to run Meralco" embodies the dismal situation of the Philippine economy, which only comprise of certain few families that drives the capitalist economic order.
Make no mistake, I have no complaints, merely disappointed. Although I agree that capitalism must be preserved as the primary means of resource allocation in society, a shift from the system's oligarhic tendencies ought to take place - which means small to medium businesses as driving the engines of the economy.
But enough of daydreaming. The question that lies before us is whether economic sectors where monopoly is arguably jusitified i.e., natural monopoly, should be taken over by public institutions to lower the average utility costs of consumers.
I believe the answer lies in considering internal and external factors.
First of all, is Meralco electricity rates higher than foreign electricity rates (preferrably compared to the average eletricity rates of other countries with similar economic conditions to the Philippines) ? One needs to compare utility costs around the region and based upon such comparison, in addition to the economic capacity of consumers, determine the most efficient utility cost.
As a natural monopoly, government intervention is necessary in an economic sector where market competition does not exist. Senator Arroyo himself said that "we shall allow matters... to be decided by the private sector based on good corporate management practices" and if and only "if the result for the consumer is significantly higher rates, then we just have to step in."
The problem now lies on what formula would be used to calculate whether Meralco is charging consumers more than it ought to. Although I recognize the necessity of the interference by public institutions, the two Arroyos must agree as to whether the utility company is charging excessive prices when it can charge consumers lower utility costs without sacrificing its potential for making profits.
Make no mistake, I have no complaints, merely disappointed. Although I agree that capitalism must be preserved as the primary means of resource allocation in society, a shift from the system's oligarhic tendencies ought to take place - which means small to medium businesses as driving the engines of the economy.
But enough of daydreaming. The question that lies before us is whether economic sectors where monopoly is arguably jusitified i.e., natural monopoly, should be taken over by public institutions to lower the average utility costs of consumers.
I believe the answer lies in considering internal and external factors.
First of all, is Meralco electricity rates higher than foreign electricity rates (preferrably compared to the average eletricity rates of other countries with similar economic conditions to the Philippines) ? One needs to compare utility costs around the region and based upon such comparison, in addition to the economic capacity of consumers, determine the most efficient utility cost.
As a natural monopoly, government intervention is necessary in an economic sector where market competition does not exist. Senator Arroyo himself said that "we shall allow matters... to be decided by the private sector based on good corporate management practices" and if and only "if the result for the consumer is significantly higher rates, then we just have to step in."
The problem now lies on what formula would be used to calculate whether Meralco is charging consumers more than it ought to. Although I recognize the necessity of the interference by public institutions, the two Arroyos must agree as to whether the utility company is charging excessive prices when it can charge consumers lower utility costs without sacrificing its potential for making profits.
Monday, May 5, 2008
An Open Letter to the DENR Secretary
Hon. Jose Atienza
DENR Secretary
Republic of the Philippines
Sir,
Good Morning.
I was wondering whether you are aware of the fact that the construction of the Angono Dumpsite was initiated under the administration of the former Mayor of Angono, who is now Assistant Secretary of DENR, Gerardo V. Calderon.
The dumpsite was recently closed (January 2008) by the current Mayor of Angono, Aurora Villamayor, after six years of continuous violation of certain provisions under Republic Act 9003 particularly Chapter VI, Section 37 and Section 48, subsection (9), (10), and especially (16) - the dilemma of the current Angono dumpsite near our precious Laguna Lake.
I find it disturbing that current news media reports inflict upon the new administration of Angono the whole blame of the Angono Dumpsite while the one who created it, who perpetuated the dumpsite's existence, goes unpunished. Correcting this injustice is one of the main reasons as to why I write this open letter, Honorable Secretary. If the current administration of Angono initiated the construction of the said Angono dumpsite, I see no reason as to why it should not be criticized. But such is not the case.
I also would like to ask, given the limited amount of money local governments get from the national budget pie, how can the local government of Angono bear the burden of cleaning up the Angono dumpsite given six years of unceasing collection and disposal of unsegregated wastes. Surely, one cannot expect to clean an open dumpsite after six years of accumulated and unsegregated wastes within six months, can we, Honorable Secretary?
Sir, I believe that you wish to promote the common good for our environment. But I pray that you do not surround yourself with incompetency and lack of care in the person of unqualified appointees that are supposed to protect our precious environment, not to mention allow no scrutiny of an individual's background regarding their stance towards eco-friendly waste management.
Former Angono Mayor and now Assistant DENR Secretary Calderon has received numerous cleanliness awards in the nine years of his leading Angono; that I cannot deny and yes, I wish to praise. Nonetheless, one must doubt his capacity of enforcing environmental laws if we are to look back into his management of Angono waste management system, which in his last two terms as Mayor failed to halt or even suspend dumping garbages near our precious lake - a clear violation of Republic Act 9003 chapter VI, section 48, subsection (16).
As such, I suggest more strict scrutiny on the credibility and appointment of officials in performing the office they will hold. It is unthinkable for DENR officials to have histories of violating an environmental law in this magnitude and for indeed, it does disservice to the mandate of the executive department tasked to promote and protect our precious environment.
Regards,
DENR Secretary
Republic of the Philippines
Sir,
Good Morning.
I was wondering whether you are aware of the fact that the construction of the Angono Dumpsite was initiated under the administration of the former Mayor of Angono, who is now Assistant Secretary of DENR, Gerardo V. Calderon.
The dumpsite was recently closed (January 2008) by the current Mayor of Angono, Aurora Villamayor, after six years of continuous violation of certain provisions under Republic Act 9003 particularly Chapter VI, Section 37 and Section 48, subsection (9), (10), and especially (16) - the dilemma of the current Angono dumpsite near our precious Laguna Lake.
I find it disturbing that current news media reports inflict upon the new administration of Angono the whole blame of the Angono Dumpsite while the one who created it, who perpetuated the dumpsite's existence, goes unpunished. Correcting this injustice is one of the main reasons as to why I write this open letter, Honorable Secretary. If the current administration of Angono initiated the construction of the said Angono dumpsite, I see no reason as to why it should not be criticized. But such is not the case.
I also would like to ask, given the limited amount of money local governments get from the national budget pie, how can the local government of Angono bear the burden of cleaning up the Angono dumpsite given six years of unceasing collection and disposal of unsegregated wastes. Surely, one cannot expect to clean an open dumpsite after six years of accumulated and unsegregated wastes within six months, can we, Honorable Secretary?
Sir, I believe that you wish to promote the common good for our environment. But I pray that you do not surround yourself with incompetency and lack of care in the person of unqualified appointees that are supposed to protect our precious environment, not to mention allow no scrutiny of an individual's background regarding their stance towards eco-friendly waste management.
Former Angono Mayor and now Assistant DENR Secretary Calderon has received numerous cleanliness awards in the nine years of his leading Angono; that I cannot deny and yes, I wish to praise. Nonetheless, one must doubt his capacity of enforcing environmental laws if we are to look back into his management of Angono waste management system, which in his last two terms as Mayor failed to halt or even suspend dumping garbages near our precious lake - a clear violation of Republic Act 9003 chapter VI, section 48, subsection (16).
As such, I suggest more strict scrutiny on the credibility and appointment of officials in performing the office they will hold. It is unthinkable for DENR officials to have histories of violating an environmental law in this magnitude and for indeed, it does disservice to the mandate of the executive department tasked to promote and protect our precious environment.
Regards,
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