Rather Than Whine #RIPDemocracy, Why Can't The Philippine Opposition Support #CorrectTheConstitution Instead?

 

Until now, it's very difficult to get over the joke essay I wrote that Philippine democracy "died" last September 21, 2017, when it didn't. Trying to compare President Rodrigo R. Duterte to the REAL dictator that's Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. should be counted as a very USELESS exercise. For one, ABiaS-CBN is far from shut down. You still have ABiaS-CBN with cable and Internet. I'm still able to watch ANC and the misadventures of Carlo Dalisay in Ang Probinsyano are still airing on cable. The big stunt has always been that democracy has died. However, the big difference between Ninoy Aquino and his son Noynoy Aquino is that one faced a real dictatorship and the other is an imaginary dictatorship. Sure, President Rodrigo R. Duterte needs to control that mouth of his or him insulting Vice President Leni Loud Robredo recently was uncalled for. However, Leni Loud is still in her post, the critics are still criticizing (and Pignoy Ako Blog is still ONLINE), and until now no mass arrest of political opponents have happened. I mean, are we seeing Antonio Trillanes IV back in jail after his supposed re-arrest? 

The big issue with the current opposition is they're focusing on #RIPDemocracy. The political stunt they pulled off last September 21, 2017, was really funny. They wore white blouses as if they were attending a wake or a burial. It's really a shame that the Philippine "Opposition" is too focused on what should never be again than what should be. For instance, why keep going against the Marcos Years but they never see what allowed those years to be so dreadful and weary. Do they really even see that the Marcos Years were highly protectionist years too? Rather than come up with a platform that will actually get them relevant again - they chose to put on clothes as if mourning took place. Noynoy though broke the mood when he was smiling at the "wake" of democracy. The opposition could've planned to actually support constitutional reform while they remain as such. They don't need to be Duterte supporters. The late Carlos Celdran was anti-Duterte but he supported constitutional reform. 

They want a united, formalized opposition against Duterte? Shifting to parliamentary will give them just that. The Westminster-style parliamentary has two parties namely the Government and the Opposition. Leni Loud herself can either become the Opposition Leader or they can give Noynoy a new term as the Opposition Leader. If Nacionalista wins then maybe Trillanes himself can be the Opposition Leader. The parliamentary system will also set them at a weekly question hour which will change things. The Opposition will have shadow ministers to serve to counter the Government's actual ministers. Would have the Philippines gone parliamentary last 2009 - they may have their voice. They may even get the same sense of decency from parliamentary countries which is IMPOSSIBLE under the current system. Instead, they really are the classic scenario of Filipinos fighting against reforms that could've benefited them. 

Want to begin decentralizing the Philippines? It's time to go federal like Malaysia and Germany. Unitary works in some countries (ex. Taiwan, Singapore) but the Philippines is too fragmented for that. Asymmetric federalism will help spread out development in the Philippines. They want to decentralize the Philippines? Then why not FEDERALIZE and follow the Malaysian-type constitution? Malaysia has only ONE constitution to govern all the member regions or states. The Philippines can go federal with ONE constitution. There's the local and national government. Unfortunately, the Philippines is too focused on Imperial Manila and leaves non-Tagalogs behind.

Above all, why not support economic liberalization? They were talking about debts piling up but how do they propose to PAY IT BACK? Unless they can make it rain gold coins - they really need to push for the removal of 60-40 and the negative list ENTIRELY. Economic liberalization would be the time to correct the mistakes of the Marcos Years. Having a free market will minimize crony capitalism and provide more jobs for Filipinos. It will also provide better growth opportunities for local businesses since having threats also means having opportunities. They want to pay back the debt involved with the COVID-19 expenses? Then why not support free markets over the protectionist policy that was done by the Marcos Years?

How can they rise from the grave by supporting the three-point agenda? Supporting the three-point agenda means it's time to STOP blaming the Marcos Years and focus on how to repair the damage caused by the Marcos Years. Besides, if they want Marcos' remains exhumed and thrown out then they should agree the same should be done to Carlos P. Garcia too.