I was aboard the cruise ship Legend of the Seas on a much-needed vacation when I heard about the incident at Ampatuan. I was in my state room watching the news on CNN when the familiar voice of Maria Ressa went on the air and what I heard so shocked me that my coffee had turned cold before I remembered I was holding the cup in my hand.
But it wasn’t until I arrived in Manila several days later that I got to read the details. Most reactions I heard ranged from rage to shock to the strange conclusion that President Gloria Arroyo had somehow supported the killings, directly or indirectly, to make sure that the Ampatuan family stayed in power (didn’t they, after all, deliver the Maguindanao votes in her favor during the last elections?). Personally, all I could think of was that the killings ought to make us think hard about efforts toward federalism and the so-called strengthening of local governments.
We don’t hear much about Chacha these days. How can we with the frenzy over the 2010 elections, the presidential candidates with their ever-changing partners, the party switching and the weirdest political re-alignments ever? But we all know that Chacha remains a serious issue although it may have been pushed to the background for now.
I am not against revisiting the Constitution. In many ways, I think that the 1987 Constitution sucks big time. But I have always been vocal about my reservations about federalism. I’ve always felt it is not something that will jive with our culture given our political history of warlordism. Old political families still own far too much of the resources in their respective regions. I’ve always felt that creating a scenario where they can amass even more economic and political power, a ninety-nine percent probability under a federal system, would lead to a spiraling regression to our feudal roots.
It is a mistake to think that the situation in Maguindanao, the presence of uber powerful political clans with their private armies, as unique, isolated and something that can only happen in warn-torn Mindanao. There are powerful political clans in almost every part of the country and many of them do have private armies. They control illegal logging, mining, gambling, smuggling and just about every operation, legal and illegal, within their regions.
It is an even bigger mistake to think that the government – and I am talking about this administration, the past four administrations, and the opposition in all these administrations – is interested in dismantling political clans. On the contrary. Marcos appointed his family members to government positions. After he was ousted and Cory rose to power, Aquino and Cojuangco family members sought and won positions in government. Two of Joseph Estrada’s sons “followed” in his footsteps. Gloria Arroyo has sons and a brother-in-law in Congress at varying times. And while no such controversies (at least, none that I recall) marred the administration of Fidel V. Ramos, nothing was done during his six-year term to bring to fruition the call of the 1987 Constitution to pass an anti-dynasty law.
This penchant for strengthening a family’s political power is echoed all throughout the nation from the national to the local level. The Asistio family reigned in Caloocan for decades. Vice Presidential candidate Bayani Fernando was “succeeded” by his wife Marides as Marikina mayor. Presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro’s wife is the incumbent representative of his hometown. When Mike Defensor was an influential political figure, his family members held various positions in the Quezon City. After the death of Senator Rene Cayetano, two of his children rose to power. The Revillas and the Remullas have practically divided Cavite between them. In the province of Rizal, the Ynares family have been calling the shots for decades. In Ilocos, the Crisologos and the Singsons have been lords long before I was born. In Maguindanao, the Ampatuan and Mangudadatu clans have been political powers for so long that towns have been named after them.
And that’s a very short list.
Yes, the Ampatuan killing is shocking. Yes, the impunity is enraging. Yes, the brazenness is nauseating. But we have to view it from a historical context as only a manifestation of very sick political system where clans are allowed to accumulate so much power that their members believe from birth that it is their birthright to hold government positions – a belief that is passed on to their children and grandchildren. It is this belief that makes political families think it is justified to defend their status with private armies (calling them bodyguards don’t really change what they are). It is the belief in such birthright that turns political contests into murderous confrontations.
When I listen to politicos condemning the Ampatuan killings, I try to determine if he who condemns is among those who have been guilty of perpetuating the political dynasty culture in the country. And if he is, I ask just what he condemns. For as long as people think it is a good thing to keep political power within the family, political contests will continue to be marred by death and violence.
A dated article but still pretty relevant article by (retired) Justice Isagani Cruz: http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20070120-44507/Political_dynasties .
Politicians argue that the people keep voting for them and their relatives but skirt the issues of incumbents enjoying an unfair advantage over opponents by using government monies and resources to perpetuate their hold on the area and its people, enslaving the populace by keeping the citizens poor and ignorant.
If there is anything that must be given teeth by the Philippine Congress, it is
through pressure exerted by citizens, it is Art. II, Sec. 26 of the 1987 Constitution. For 22 years, we have all sat on our hands on this matter. Hence the Ampatuan Massacre.
It is just sick. This is the 21st century by God, not some medieval, feudal fiefdom. With all the advantages this country has it should be a prosperous country looking forward to a bright, rosy future. But…..it is always but….or if only….or sana. (ad nauseam).
When is the fatalism going to stop?! When is enough enough?! When are people going to demand and insist on a responsible, efficient, and clean government!
I kinda think it’s our Spanish (Latin) heritage. Mafiosi mentality.
You cant continue to blame everything on the colonial past . the Spanish got the boot in 1898 I believe > Filipinos now control The Philippines . Ask yourself , is this the country I want , ruled by corruption and nepotism? Because sadly that’s how it appears to be . Look at modern Spain , is it ruled by the church , or powerful corrupt warlords ? Was it ever ? It had its dictator , Franco , but its since moved on to become a modern democratic society in a very short time .Look forward , not back ,never forgetting the lessons of history though .
“Filipinos now control The Philippines”
No, we don’t. The MNCs own the economy. And that’s a relic of our American colonial past.
Every country struggles with multi-nationals , just look at the resource industry here in Australia as an example .
Since our government is clannish, this is more of the prehispanic era when datus lorded it over on lands, villages and properties.
Our mayors, governors, and lawmakers are just modern equivalent of prehispanic clannish warlords. It did not change that much in the context of family control.
With the carnage, the Filipinos are desperately looking for justice.
During Ramon Magsaysay’s time, one Moises Padilla brought to death by electric chair, 1 Governor, 3 Mayors and 3 Police Chiefs among the 22 defendants.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,820089,00.html
With 58 victims (mostly women and media) tortured and killed by the Ampatuans, should they deserve less justice than in 1951 (especially that death penalty was removed by Pres Arroyo)?
I am afraid that Filipinos are getting shortchange today in terms of justice than 6 decades ago.
I believed we have to restore death penalty but the saddest thing the political machinery (including the church) are just too indifferent or catatonic.
Very well said… So why vote? Huwag na lang! !
Your comment Dodong -
“…(especially that death penalty was removed by Pres Arroyo)?”
Really, did Mrs Arroyo removed the death penalty?
The way I read your comment, the Ampatuans are already guilty. (I don’t intend to say something that will sound defending them. My point is – day in court of law).
Last time I check, that is your similar comment on a recent case where a US military man was accused of raping a Filipina . In the appeal, the accused was acquitted. Whether we like it or not, it’s the rule of law otherwise gayahin na lang natin ang nasa Mindanao.
During Magsaysay’s time, those accused of the crime committed on Moises Padilla were put to death after judicial decision.
I’ve watched the movie on how they’ve tortured him. If my recollection is correct, Leopoldo Salcedo played Padilla’s role and Joseph Estrada was the torturer’s role. I can’t help but shed tears when I’ve watched his torture since I was just a kid during that time (wala pang “Parental Guidance Is Required”). First time to watch a human torture in a black and white movie.
Pahabol lang,
In the movie, graphically, it was shown how the torturer plucked the two eyes of Moises Padilla and allow him to be alive for quite some time.
Jeez…
“Really, did Mrs Arroyo removed the death penalty? ”
==============================================
Wikinews:
President Arroyo has abolished the death penalty.
Gloria Arroyo, President of the Philippines, has signed legislation abolishing the death penalty. This move comes on the eve of a visit to see Pope Benedict XVI and only two weeks after the legislation was confirmed by Congress.
=========================================================
BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Philippines’ death penalty debateJun 26, 2006 … Philippines President Gloria Arroyo signs a law abolishing the death
It was the 1987 Constitution that abolished the death penalty, except in cases of heinous crimes, as subsequently defined in RA 7659, later repealed by RA 9346 which prohibited the imposition of the death penalty.
RA 9346 is what you must be referring to as the abolition of the death penalty by GMA which carries the implication that it was her sole will and act. But RA 9346 is a law which means it started as a bill in Congress, passed the required three readings and got sufficient affirmative votes so it reached the President’s desk for her signature. So, I hardly consider the process synonymous with GMA abolishing the death penalty.
Love it when your post is about politics. It helps me understand it better.
If 2010 becomes a farce & the elected turn out no different (hopefully not worse) than GMA… Seriously, what can we do as a nation?
It sucks big time the taxpayers always bear the brunt. And those below poverty line, multiplies becoming hungrier & even more desperate. It easy for those who can to flee (myself included) but it hurts to watch our country collapse.
Magagamot pa kaya yung sakit nang mga political families? Yung kaya’ng mga anak nila magkakaroon nang decency instead of a sense of entitlement?
I like your post pero nakakainit nang ulo.
“hopefully not worse”
To think that it can get worse is a nightmare I don’t even want to think about. When I think na baka manalo ang patido ni Erap, gusto kong mag-immigrate. Kahit saan.
My oh my. After I’ve watched this tabloid Ch 2 pesidential forum (debate?), I was really surprised that Erap has a big similarity with Obama. Teleprompter boy din pala itong si Erap.
Kailangan, pag medyo “deep English” kailangan ulitin sa kanya ang tanong in vernacular not once, not twice but thrice!! (Anyway, Obama can’t even complete a sentence once in a while and he was a presidential candidate). I was not able to get the exact question but it has something to do of doing away some of his luxuries in life. Kaya nga lang, ‘deep English” ang pagkakatanong. I’m still searching the web for the transcript.
In the end, 99% of his answer to the question are his political platforms that anybody can easily promise to voters just like Obama. What is missing is that he did not tell the people on how can accomplish it.
The same with Noynoy, Villanueva (tangna ang yabang), and Gordon. They did not tell the people on how they will accomplish their corresponding platforms.
Parang mga illegal recruiters.
I like Gordon — at least his emphasis on people changing first is refreshing.