TOWARDS A NEW PHILIPPINE ORDERBy Bagong Katipunan
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FILIPINO
It was still early in the morning when Mang Nestor got up from bed. He is now quietly sipping a cup of salabat inside his kubo as he prepares to walk to the town. Mang Nestor is a rice farmer in the strife-torn town in Central Mindanao. Today, however, he will not farm. He had been told a day before that the area where the rice fields are, had been declared “No Man’s Land” by the AFP as part of the on-going military operations against the MILF. Taking advantage of the break, Mang Nestor decided to spend the day to look for a doctor. He had long wanted something to relieve himself of the sharp pain in his abdomen. He believes it is some sort of liver ailment as told by the albularyo he consulted with.
At the health center, Mang Nestor dutifully waited for his turn. After patiently waiting for a few hours, he was finally called but only to be dismissed quickly by the attending health worker since the doctor was not around. Besides, he was also informed that there was no medicine available. Eventually, he was told to come back the following week as the doctor should arrive by then. Realizing that he had no more business in the town, Mang Nestor then headed slowly back for home. As he strode by the dirt road, he began to shake his head in regret when he figured that his habitual drinking could likely be the cause of his predicament. He smirks as he recollected about those whole-day drinking sprees he and his friends did back then to provide some form of cheap entertainment as well as to drown his hunger and miseries away.
His reflections were abruptly disrupted by a convoy of streaking vans escorted by several police and military vehicles that blew past him causing a cloud of dust and dirt. As he squinted his eyes, he managed to get a glimpse of the black van at the center of the convoy. He nodded as though it was very familiar to him. A few years back, Mang Nestor recalled that it was the same black van that brought the town mayor to the plaza to deliver a campaign speech. A bus had brought him there, along with other people, to be part of the hakot crowd in exchange for a fifty-peso fee. The mayor then was running for re-election and was sincerely promising the townsfolk that, if re-elected, he will install deep-well pumps for potable water in their barangays as well as multi-purpose pavements to dry their palay. During the elections, he voted for the mayor not because he was moved by the promises made but because he had sold his vote to the tune of five hundred pesos. His neighbors said they received more but then again, he thought, five hundred pesos is still five hundred pesos. The elections are near again yet the promises remained unfulfilled but the prospects of making a little money amused him. This time around he will sell his vote to the highest bidder. He is convinced they are all the same anyway.
Halfway to his home, Mang Nestor decided to take a break from walking under the scorching heat of the sun. He found a big tree and gently sat underneath its shade. He appreciated the scenic view of the rolling mountains as he blew out a sigh of exhaustion. Near the base of the nearby mountain, however, there seemed to be clouds of smoke. Then he heard distant rumbling of what sounded like continuous cannon shelling. It is the war, he thought. How long would it take this time, he asked himself. It was a good thing he still has a half-sack of rice stored in his house. He had already conceded the possibility that his harvest would be completely destroyed. Besides, he had already loaned out almost all of it to the rice cartel operator in the area in exchange for the money he used during pre-production.
He now wondered how his life would have turned out had he joined the NPAs who were recruiting him several years ago. Would he be living a better life now? Most probably not, he thought. For he vividly remembered an incident a few years back when a band of NPA guerillas stormed their barrio and killed a man suspected of being an AFP informant. He could not understand why these people who fashioned themselves as the saviors of the masses would kill the very same people they claimed to be fighting for? Then again, he still would not have joined them because no one would take care of his family.
Mang Nestor’s wife, like him, is illiterate and could not be employed. Actually, only one of his six daughters had gone past grade six. Aside from the fact that he could not afford their education, he remembered what was taught to him by his own parents: "Knowing how to read and write your name; and how to count money are the only things you need to know to survive”. What frustrated him though, was the fact that he had no sons to help him in the farmlands. His two elder daughters had gone to Manila to work as housemaids. The next two are still at home helping their mother. The fifth daughter left for Davao to look for work a year ago but he had not heard from her since. His neighbors heard this vicious rumor that she had ended up working as a prostitute. While the youngest child, the brightest and the one who had the most promising future, had eloped at a tender age of fourteen. In deep thought, he had not noticed the tears that rolled over his cheeks. He asked himself, “What have I done to deserve this?” “Maybe I was not praying enough”, he answered himself back. But his family rarely missed going to mass. Nonetheless, he pledged to himself that this Sunday he would pray more fervently than the previous weeks.
In his reflections, Mang Nestor had lost track of time. He looked up and estimated the time to be way past noon, which was why he had grown hungry. He contemplated on resuming his long walk home but then he realized there was nothing to eat there except the boiled malunggay leaves his family had been eating for the past several days. So instead, he decided to lie down on his back and sleep.
The plight of Mang Nestor is but one of the more than forty million Filipinos or more than half of our population living way below the poverty line. Each one goes through a similar ordeal every single day. Their lives are the representations of the true state of the nation with all the societal problems, government shortcomings and the damaged culture that had made them poor, weak, and helpless.
This reality is far different from the picture of peace and progress being painted by the government. And what the elite and middle class are seeing is but a mirage, a wall of denial formed by their minds through the cloud of deception wittingly created by the present regime and unwittingly propagated by the media.
Indeed, where is peace and progress in the lives of the masses? Where is the government in the life of Mang Nestor? How does the trillion-peso national budget impact on them? Where is social justice? Where is social equity? Who is fighting for their rights? What does the future hold for the poor?
THE DYING REPUBLIC
Our Republic is dying. Even so, the present government is characterized by its pompousness, insensitivity and arrogance. It had been totally distracted from its mandate to uplift the lives of the poor and it had totally failed to protect the populace from crime and terror. In addition, there is a very inadequate and inefficient delivery of basic social services. Our sovereignty had been compromised and trampled upon by our subservience to 1st world countries and it reflects on our foreign and economic policies. Our territorial integrity is being endangered by secession and the communist insurgency remains a threat. In short, this regime has been devoid of any reason to exist.
Our people are literally dying of hunger in the countryside. Our society is slowly being engulfed by the fires of poverty, war and corruption. True enough, the social volcano is about to erupt.
Even as our country struggles to fight for survival, it is confronted yet by another masked evil, globalization. Globalization will finish off whatever was left by the oligarchy. Our industries and agriculture will not survive the avalanche of imported goods and services. We simply cannot match the advanced production capabilities of the western countries; neither can we compete against the cheap labor of China and India.
Where will our farmers and laborers go? Our local economists who are sold to the free trade concept have incessantly prescribed "finding a niche in the market" in order to survive and benefit from globalization. How? Are there still products out there that our country can produce with a comparative advantage over the other countries aside from our mangoes, pineapples, bananas and tuna? Our skilled labor may be our niche but this is conveniently excluded by the WTO-GATT.
Globalization will lead to a world monopoly or cartel of every product and service by a certain country. Once this happens, the free trade paradigm will be shattered and all nations will be at the mercy of those who own those monopolies. Globalization must be stopped. But it cannot be stopped by a regime that had been reduced to a mere lap dog by multi-national financial institutions. A regime that is willing to sell out anything and everything for as long as it can grab hold onto some droppings, which it can gorge on.
What are we to do now? Elections? Unfortunately, the problems are systemic and to certain degree, they are structural. Electing a new administration will not solve the crisis; it will only further institutionalize them. For the election process itself is a problem.
First is the ignorance of the electorate. What good is the will of the people if that "will" was made by an uninformed people? This is analogous to the people of biblical history choosing Barabas over Jesus. The people must first be taught or made to become politically mature enough to know how to choose their own public servants before they are allowed to choose at all. Money must never be a criterion for choosing a candidate.
Next are the candidates. Do we see any potential candidate who, should he win, would be morally courageous enough to turn his back against the oligarchs who funded his campaign in the first place? Or has the political will to fire treacherously corrupt and incompetent generals in order to reform the AFP/PNP? Is there anybody among them who actually has the heart and determination to uplift the lives of the masses?
If there were, then the corrupted electoral process itself will guarantee that such a candidate will never win. Or, if by some miracle he does win, he will have been corrupted or his principles and ideals compromised by the time he even sets foot in Malacanang.
Consider this. A decent presidential campaign is estimated to cost at least 3 billion pesos. In order to raise this huge amount, the candidate will solicit from the business sector. In exchange, certain concessions are made whether they are promises of future projects or presidential appointments, delay or dismissal of pending tax cases, environmental clearances, new or extension of mining or logging concessions, government franchises, land conversions, privatizations, etc.
After soliciting money through the business sector, the candidate will now solicit support from the institutional churches and civil society groups. Again concessions are made and, in addition, the candidate gives “donations” to these groups in exchange for their support.
But the candidate is not through yet. He will still have to contend with another emerging uncontrolled force in society, the media. This time the candidate gives a "research fund" to prominent broadcast personalities, publishers, columnists, reporters and editors to provide a subliminal and sometimes blatant PR campaign under the cover of responsible journalism.
Come Election Day to ensure victory, the candidate and his operators now pour money into the different levels of electoral process. From the precinct level where they buy votes and finance flying voter operations; to the municipal, provincial levels and up to the national board of canvassers where they can have totals altered through dagdag-bawas.
After all these, once the candidate wins, he will realize that the only decision left for him to make may well be whether to breathe or not.
Without a doubt, death is upon this Republic. It is inevitable and it’s just a matter of time. Again, the Filipino asks, what will be done to avoid this tragic fate? Indeed, he agrees that the situation warrants a regime change and that a government that is dictated by self-interests to accumulate more money or more power or to abuse or oppress the very same people they are mandated to serve and protect, has no right to exist and must be replaced at the soonest possible time, but how?
REVOLUTION
A revolution is a social phenomenon where a group of people initiates, by any means, a radical change of an existing socio-political order into another. From this definition, it could be deduced that there are three essential elements in a revolutionary movement – the cause, the vision and the patriots.
The cause is the inspirational force of the movement. It is the spark that ignites the nationalistic fervor of the people to rise against a system. The cause also gives meaning and face to what is being fought against. Moreover, it provides nobility to the revolution.
The vision is the end state to which the revolution will logically conclude. It is a new system that encapsulates the ideals and principles being fought for. It sets the standards for the new society. The vision also clearly delineates the fact that the revolution is not merely an instrument to release anger and hatred for the present system but a means to attain a truly worthwhile objective. Ultimately, it is the barometer from which the success or failure of the revolution will be measured.
The patriot is the individual who had been enlightened of his true environment – the reality of poverty, war, hunger, oppression, corruption, fear, anarchy and chaos. He refuses to swallow the grand deception being fed to him by the State and decides to fight for what is just, right and true. He realizes that the fight is neither for himself nor his family but for the abused and oppressed yet unenlightened Filipino. The patriot concurs with the collective vision of the movement. He also knows that he may have to sacrifice his own life in the pursuit of such vision, but he accepts it nonetheless.
Our country has experienced two revolutions in the past century, the Bonifacio Revolution in 1896 and the EDSA I Revolution of 1986. Both had valid causes. Andres Bonifacio and the KKK were revolting against an oppressive colonial rule and the EDSA I forces likewise, were fighting against an oppressive dictatorial regime.
Bonifacio fought for his vision of an independent republic and had the Katipuneros as patriots. On the other hand, the EDSA I forces fought for a vision of a free-society and corruption-free government and they had the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) as patriots.
Concisely, the two revolutions had all the essential elements but still were not able to realize their vision even though both had succeeded in assuming power. Why? How come these movements, which started out with the noblest of intentions ended up as failures?
From the lessons learned from these two historical events emerge a new concept, a new philosophy, and a new ideology: The Last Revolution.
THE LAST REVOLUTION
The Last Revolution is no different from all the other revolutions in the sense that it has the same three elements – cause, vision and patriots. It is only different in the way it will be unrelenting in its pursuit of change until it realizes the vision that it had so established. For once the vision is realized, there shall never again be a cause for the people to revolt. Thus, it is truly the Last Revolution.
The Cause: To save the dying republic and rescue the people from an oppressive government and a corrupt system.
The Vision: To install the New Order that is characterized by the following:
1. Lasting Peace and Prosperity for the country
2. A free, educated and responsible Filipino citizenry that is bound together by a National Identity uniting them regardless of religion, culture, social status and ideology
3. Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity
4. A truly Democratic government founded on equality and social justice with an election process reflecting the true will of the informed people
5. Governance guided by social equity
6. An efficient and professional bureaucracy of honest, humble, competent and hardworking public servants
7. Public policy-making defined solely by National interest
8. National Interest centered solely on public welfare
The Patriot: Every patriot shall voluntarily swear, with God as his witness, to the following oath:
1. I am willing to lay down my life in the pursuit of the Vision.
2. I will be loyal always to the National Interest.
3. I am willing to be a catalyst of change of an oppressive and unjust society into one that advocates equality and social justice.
4. I will respect human rights.
5. I will not commit any acts of corruption.
6. I will live a modest life commensurate to my legal means.
7. I am willing to be punished should I betray any decree of this oath.
8. I am doing this supreme act of sacrifice for God, Country and People with no promise of reward, compensation or recognition.
THE EXECUTION
The Last Revolution shall be executed in four phases. It shall only be deemed a success if all these phases have been surpassed. Only then shall the vision be realized. Otherwise, if it fails even a single phase, the revolution would not be complete and it is but a matter of time that the old system resurrects itself.
Phase I. Assumption of PowerThe actual revolution starts with the assumption of power. This will be done through all means necessary and must be absolute. The means will not be confined within the ambit of the constitutional framework. This constitutional shield has been the defense of the corrupt and the incompetent to restrain the enlightened patriots and pacify the abused masses. But does the constitution also tolerate a government that rapes its own people for money and power? Does the constitution accept a government that creates its own terrorists, blowing up innocent civilians, just so it can avail of foreign anti-terrorist funds?
Once the power had been assumed, all pockets of resistance will be crushed and the lines for command and control will be established and communicated to the people. The international community will then be informed that this patriotic move is not a terrorist act but a sovereign people’s demonstration of will to purify its own socio-political order.
If possible, damage to life and property would be avoided. But when it becomes necessary in the accomplishment of the mission, the mission to save their country from the true enemies of the state, the patriots will not hesitate.
Phase II. The National Recovery ProgramAfter completion of Phase I, the patriots and the revolutionary masses now turn over the power to the National Recovery Council (NRC) to immediately set in motion a transitional government that will provide new policy directions and ensure the continuity of bureaucratic operations. The NRC will be composed of Filipino men and women of wisdom, integrity and selflessness with an unquestionable love for the country. They shall come from the different sectors of society and across the current political spectrum. The NRC shall be headed by a revolutionary President, who will also act as the head of State.
The NRC shall be guided by the National Recovery Program (NRP) along with the ideals set forth in the envisioned New Order as its framework for governance. The NRP is a strategic package of radical policy reforms that addresses the problems on peace and order, economy, poverty, corruption and population.
Upon assumption of power, the NRC will immediately implement the NRP to arrest the deterioration of the state and lay the foundation for a truly strong nation. This will fill the vacuum of public administration and set the tone for more comprehensive reforms to come. Most importantly, the NRC will instigate a top-to-bottom cleansing of the bureaucracy and weed out its corrupt elements. In addition, electoral reforms and education/indoctrination of the electorate will be prioritized.
Phase III. The Socio-Cultural RevolutionIn order for him to survive the harsh environment provided to him by the State, the Filipino had pushed back most of the good traits of our culture and mutated it into what it is today – a cultural mishmash of subservience, insolence, corruption, greed, indolence, ignorance, indifference and helplessness.
Subservience is written all over our public policies so much so that our government had committed treason and placed foreign interest above our national interests. It is also evident in the Filipino’s better appreciation of anything made abroad. Insolence, on the other hand, had become prevalent in the elite, middle class and our very own public servants.
Corruption, greed and indolence are evident everywhere in the bureaucracy; in BIR, Customs, PNP, AFP, DENR, DECS, DA and all the other departments.
Ignorance and indifference have been deeply ingrained in the ordinary Filipino. He is ignorant of his rights and privileges as a citizen and indifferent to national and political affairs. The Filipino is still living up to the indio persona that was instilled in him by the Spanish colonial regime. Just like Mang Nestor, he had accepted his fate and had succumbed to helplessness. This is also manifested through the lowly taxpayer’s tolerance of the fact that the hard-earned taxes he pays only end up in the pockets of public officials. This helplessness to bureaucratic corruption is analogous to another sad social phenomenon happening today, that of a weeping woman who looks the other way as she sees her husband raping his own daughter.
Since society provides the people to man the government, it follows that the government will absorb whatever culture these people had once they join the government. So, for long as there is prevailing culture of corruption and greed in society, there will be a culture of corruption and greed in government. Therefore, once the government had been cleansed the next step is to cleanse the society itself.
The society, however, will not change on its own; there has to be a medium or a prime mover for change, in this case, the government. The government shall act as the irresistible force of change that will radiate towards society. This will be done through the dispassionate implementation of the law, imposition of a system of rewards and punishments, incentives and penalties, intensive education, re-indoctrination and value formation, and an unwavering leadership by example. Through these activities, the Filipino’s psyche and behavior will transform from initially being merely reactive until it becomes habitual and ultimately, it becomes cultural. All told, the government will create a controlled environment that will not necessarily restrict freedom or curtail human rights; yet, be able to mold a new culture reflective of a true God-fearing and peace-loving Filipino.
Phase IV. The TransitionThe transition phase is the most critical phase of the revolution. Soon after the fires of the call to change had been extinguished, opportunism and complacency are bound to creep in and the New Order faces the danger of a relapse into its old ugly form. It is vital therefore, to guard the gains of the revolution.
This is precisely the downfall of the EDSA Revolution of 1986. Once the smoke of battle had cleared and the state of euphoria had subsided, the same politicians from the old system and a totally new breed of vultures managed to slither into the new regime and resurrected the very same system the revolution had intended to destroy.
This must never be allowed to happen. Thus, in order to perpetuate and institutionalize the ideals of the revolution, the patriots shall be embedded within the New Order – in government, in the business sector and in civil society. Their primary role is to become the conscience of the new order and continuously guide the state until it realizes the vision of the revolution.
It will be hard, no doubt. There will be those who will succumb to the temptations of power and there will be others who will shirk from the awesome responsibilities abruptly placed on their shoulders. Hence, the patriots must be resilient and steadfast in their resolve to be catalysts of change. They must, for the fate of the country is in their hands!
In all, the completion of all four phases should only take a maximum of 36 months. Thereafter, a new democratically elected government shall replace the NRC and steer the country to the path of peace and prosperity.
The Call
Our beloved motherland is on the verge of collapse and she is crying for help. She is pleading for patriotic spirits to answer the call of duty and save her from destruction. Her people are at war; they are at war with poverty, hunger, ignorance and helplessness. She is calling on each and every enlightened Filipino to free them.
The call was heard. Now the call had been answered. Thousands of patriots stood up and thousands more are poised to join them. Soon, they will march to the halls of power and mark a glorious day in our nation’s history.
The Last Revolution is our country’s only hope for rescue from its inevitable demise. It is our only chance for resurgence into the great nation we never were. Let us therefore rally behind the revolution and help accelerate the process of change.
To the oligarchy that had long enslaved this country, the time for reckoning has come…
To Mang Nestor and all the Filipinos suffering like him, the long wait is over. Freedom is near…
The cause had been laid; the vision had been made and the call had been answered –
LET THE LAST REVOLUTION BEGIN!
September 21st, 2008 at 3:45 am
Whewww!!! At last, nakatuntong din ako ng Maynila after being away for a few months. Mas malamig pala ang beer dito. Hehehehe.
I got interested dito sa thread about Penafrancia and Gen Danny Lim. Kanina nakita ng mga kasama ko sa bahay na nagbabasa ako ng blog ni Ate Ellen. They noticed nga this thread na na-mention si Gen Lim. Yung isang bisita namin mentioned something about a child or high school student ata yun na nag-interview kay Gen Lim as part of her school assignment. I am very interested on what questions were asked and how Gen Lim answered it. Am trying to find out more details about it. Baka maya-maya makuha ko yun. Konting snooping lang. Kukwento ko sainyo pag nakita ko mamaya. Hehehehehe
September 21st, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Wow, I got what I wanted….and fast at that. I thought it would be in a folder packaged as a school report, but instead, what was handed me is a xerox copy of the original, in Gen Lim’s own handwriting.
Six (6) questions were asked of him by this child on 22 October 2007.
1. Did you intend to become a soldier?
2. Who and what inspired you to become one?
3. What did you expect life in the military?
4. Do you feel fulfilled or frustrated as a soldier?
5. Will you encourage the youth to become a soldier and serve the country?
6. Who is your personal hero and why?
His answer to question #6 is very interesting.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:51 pm
It’s okay Sulbatz.I’m interested to know his answer.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Q#1. Did you intend to become a soldier?
Ans: As a young man, soldiery as a profession was farthest from my mind. Had we the means to support my college studies, (taking up a course I truly like), I should either be a physician or an engineer now. Even with a college scholarship, other expenses were still considerable. I was a freshman at UP when some classmates (some had elder brothers at PMA) convinced me to to take the entrance exam for PMA with them. I did very well in the exam and eventually decided to enter the Academy. After one year at PMA, I took another competitive exam for USMA at West Point and was lucky to be selected to represent the country as a member of USMA class ‘78. Having gone through all the preparations for a military career (1 yr at PMA and 4 yrs at West Point), while not initially inclined to it, I have embraced and learned to love the vocation.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Q#2. Who and what inspired you to become one?
Ans: Honestly, no one in particular inspired me to become a soldier. My mother was so much against the idea of me, the youngest of her 5 boys, entering the Academy that she must have gone to all the churches she could go to praying that I flunk the entrance exam. I guess pragmatic considerations and some “peer pressure” from my UP freshman classmates helped me become one.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Q#3. What did you expect life in the military?
Ans: I expected that life in the military would be difficult and would offer challenges that not very many would experience. That in many ways, it is, in a sense, tantamount to sacrifice. I expected the kind of training that would build character, instill discipline and imbue one with the moral courage to arm him for the realities associated with the chosen profession. I expected professionalism at all levels.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Daming typo…sorry.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:44 pm
cont….
Q#4. Do you feel fulfilled or frustrated as a soldier?
Ans: I feel fulfilled having developed that character and sense of self-discipline I believe I have put to good use in all the modest accomplishments I have undertaken while performing my sworn duties. I am blessed by the many experiences I’ve gone through which you can’t find if you’re not in the military. I am frustrated when I observe that the actions and attitudes of our leaders (both civilian and military) sharply contrast with the ideals that we were supposed to have internalized.
September 21st, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Q#5. Will you encourage the youth to become a soldier and serve the country?
Ans: Even with all its defects (mainly the faults of senior military people who have allowed themselves to be prostituted by partisan considerations and personal aggrandizements), the military remains a noble and honorable profession. I would encourage our young people to join the service. But one word of caution, be prepared for its disappointments. It is not a perfect organization.
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 am
Where is #6?
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 am
Sorry Ate Ellen, I have to call some people just to get my data right kasi yung sagot ni Gen Lim sa #6 got me interested and made me recall some incidents and stories in the past. I happen to be one of the audience sa kwentuhan and I just have to check with some people I remember who were there kung tama yung recollections ko.
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:41 am
Q#6. Who is your personal hero and why?
Ans: My personal hero and a very dear friend - Haydee Yorac. She embodied everything - good, right, just and the truth. This is not my first time to be detained for my principles and convictions. For my involvement in the Dec ‘89 military rebellion, I was jailed for almost three years. During those times, Haydee was a frequent visitor. And we have maintained our very close friendship till the time she went ahead of us. If she were alive today, she would be lawyering for me.
September 22nd, 2008 at 1:48 am
What struck me about this revelation of Gen Lim in regard to his answer to Q#6 is that at that very same period where his friendship with the late Haydee Yorac was developing, another friendship was being developed with another Marine officer several miles away from the detention center of the former in 1989.
The then Major Miranda, who was a Battalion Commander of the 3rd Marine Bn in Sulu, had his first encounter with Haydee Yorac, who was then with the party of FVR, Ninez Cacho Olivares and some local politicians. This first encounter with the much respected lady would soon bloom into a deep friendship until her very last days.
Gen Miranda, when asked the same question as that of Q#6, would answer the same as Gen Lim’s.
Unfortunately, both are now in incarceration...