Christopher Maboloc
The strong stand against the People’s Initiative is a movement against the apparent threat currently at work under the guise of economic reform, but whose actual motive is the self-serving desire to perpetuate those who are already in power. The Constitution, being the basic law of the land, is the highest expression of a people’s aspirations and hopes to live in a just, equal, and democratic society under the rule of law and the guidance of an Almighty God. But the way that things are turning out in recent weeks, charter change is being used to advance the interests of those who already want to position themselves even if 2028 is still very far away.
The protests against amending the political provisions in the Constitution are meant to protect our democratic institutions and the people themselves, who at the moment are being takenadvantage by those who think of the masses as gullible and morally blind. The poor can easily be lured by promises of ayuda (assistance) without understanding fully why they are affixing their signature in the purported petition. The method is abhorrent because the same takes away from the public their autonomy or the right to informed consent. This is nothing more than a manifestation of the manipulative and corrupt ways of the powerful.
The right method to change the charter is by means of a Constitutional Convention wherein delegates are elected at large. Delegates with moral integrity and the brightest should debate among themselves the critical amendments, both political and economic, in order to address the most important issues that need to be underscored. Discourse is the right and most effective way for a people to be able to express themselves in the formalities of the halls of Congress. The truth is not actually high on a pedestal. The truth dwells in the living conditions of the people. The only way to reach out to the margins of society is by putting the authentic representatives of the masses who can speak for them.
The present unfolding in Philippine politics is a struggle between two houses. The War of the Roses in 15th-centuryEngland, made prominent by “The Game of Thrones.” “The game is up,” between the North and the South. The throne is at stake: “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle-ground.” The message is clear. This is not just a battle of wits. It is a struggle that is meant to define the political landscape after the end of the term of the sitting President. Power is tempting, of course, and it is for this reason that the struggle is there between two powerful families.
What is funny is that the other side of the political spectrum who had their time and chance in two former administrations but now dismembered from any significance, want to join the game by aligning with their former nemesis just to thwart the leader of the immediate past administration. It is a strategy that they pray will work, although their intent is clear. But nobody, as of the moment, is taking them seriously. Indeed, a mistake by any of the two members in the present ruling coalition might prove to be very costly. In this regard, aforbearing attitude is desirable to protect the throne.
The problem of those who position themselves on a moral high chair is that they have failed to improve their old narrative of change. The same has been tested but failed because the issue is not really the radical ways of the former President but the continued influence of the elite in our lives. Some are putting the wrong labels to that effort to reach out to the poor, who have been for the longest time deprived of the chance to be a crucial voice in the country’s politics. The present threat to our democracy after its restoration remains clear. While the first People Power brought back a certain degree of political freedom to the Filipino people, an elite ruling class that perpetuates itself into power is the real barrier to the political maturity of the people and indeed, the biggest impediment to our country’s progress. (Ryan Maboloc)