The price of treason and neglect

INFOWARS
Herman Tiu Laurel
4/7/2008



The rice crisis is only the tip of the iceberg. And while the milk crisis may not as huge as the rice shortage, it still impacts the most vulnerable in the family--children and babies. Milk prices have been on the rise and going beyond the reach of 71 percent (or 12.8-M) of Filipino families that consider themselves poor or very poor. In the years ahead, the peak of these two crises will come when water would have been dearer and scarcer than it is today. All these could have been avoided if the Marcos II programs (referring to the post-'76 Marcos who started to aim for self-reliance and industrialization) were not scuttled outright by the Edsa I regime of Cory Aquino and followed through by Ramos, Gloria and "civil society."

Yet another crisis, this time in the power sector, which has not only brought us the highest power cost in Asia, is pointing to rough times ahead. Worse, it signals our further enslavement as it is in the hands of foreign powers, like in the case of the Malampaya natural gas production facility, which newspapers report may have to shut down the next six months due to a "gas leak." Since it has been only five years since its inauguration, I find this hard to believe. Power rationing would be one consequence of such repairs. And, coming at this critical time when the Spratly's seismic survey issue between the U.S. and Britain versus China is heating up, my suspicious mind fears that the "gas leak" may just be a telegraphed warning to Gloria to carry out her promised cancellation of the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking.

A review of Marcos II shows the country anticipated and prepared for these crises by: 1) achieving rice self-sufficiency by 1976, 2) launching water and power programs scheduled to be on stream by the early '80s such as major hydro-electric dams, the geothermal and Bataan Nuclear Power Plant projects (which could produce fresh water from the sea in its cooling system), 3) launching of oil exploration that led to Malampaya, and 4) a myriad of other initiatives from developing the textile to the domestic armaments industry, which would have kept us ahead of other Asean countries. However, the U.S. took a contrary view: a nation such as ours with a big population in a strategically-located archipelago, capable of controlling passage through the China Sea, is better kept weak and dependent; hence, its de-agro/industrialization.

Under such a scheme, Marcos had to go. So Edsa I also ushered in the myth that Cory Aquino brought "democracy" back after the "Marcos dictatorship." The fact is dictatorships--of the corporate kind--rule even the Western world. Only illusions of democracy prevail there, particularly in the U.S., as the real power is the permanent political-economic rulers who control the money and the bureaucracy. President Eisenhower got that in part when he warned of the "military-industrial complex" in his farewell in 1961. President Lincoln had a far broader view of the danger: ". corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign . until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."

The global corporate powers don't want a self-reliant and independent Philippines. For them, it has to be kept under control; kept vulnerable for food, power, fuel, water and other basic necessities. The globalization logic fits perfectly: depend on other countries for cheap supplies, and dismantle the State as the corporations can do a better job. To further seal the deal, Edsa II then came to aggravate the corruption and crisis levels.

After twenty years of this mantra since Edsa I, the Filipino poor have multiplied. Despite all these facts, "people power" apologists and traditional politicians, academic, media people and columnists have not come out to debunk the prevailing system. That is the treason, and the price of perpetuating the lies is that this country never corrects it errors and is doomed to hunger, thirst and disease.

Philippine politics, media and academic discussions are a surfeit of bitching, quarreling and squabbling, grandstanding and positioning for the favors of the ruling factions and personalities. Edsa I and II apologists concentrate on the demonization of their enemies which detract us from the basic, vital, strategic and collective concerns of the nation. Their prized reward is attention of the U.S., British or E.U. embassies which may reward the national self-flagellation with a scholarship or grant, or the blessing for a politician to replace the puppet they have in Malacañang. They also crave the attention of surrogate corporate power in electricity, water, and media, which can give them funds, interviews or a free show in their massive radio and TV networks.

The result of the cacophony of demonization is the silence on the basic, long term physical and cultural infrastructure for national development and progress. This in turn has translated to neglect for anticipative expansion of power plants for cheap electricity, water projects for consumption and irrigation, mass nationwide transport systems and railways, independent surveying of our waters, research and development on food and other necessities, ad infinitum. This column, along with a few other writers like Alejandro Lichauco, tries to consistently give the long and comprehensive view to lead the readers and the nation into reflections beyond cantankerous argumentations. Thus, we challenge the Edsa I and II apologists, who still shun face-to-face debate, because the truth would expose their treason.

The price paid for the distraction from the nation's strategic tasks is the fall from the second most prosperous nation in the '50s down to just a rung or two higher than Laos or Myanmar. The price is paid by the poor and middle class Filipinos whose living standards have fallen progressively over the past two decades, with the number of poor and very poor reaching unprecedented heights. In the face of increasing crises, only placebos or stop-gap measures are available because the wherewithal, as well as, the consciousness or will to engage in long-term rebuilding is a tabooed option. When one tries to provide for food security and even a semblance of political independence, like opposing sovereign guarantees, the wrath of the U.S., British and E.U. embassies will be faced, as President Estrada did.

When Filipino leaders protest the prevailing decay of Gloria's Western-friendly government, they go to prison, like the heroes of February 2006 military protesters General Lim, Col. Querubin and company. Stage a surprise electoral victory from prison, like Senator Trillanes, and a spectacular demonstration with patriotic civilian leaders who envision the self-reliant and independent Philippines, as in the Manila Peninsula stand-off, and the U.S. ambassador quickly makes an official statement against it just three hours later. Nonetheless, with Gloria's corruption and extra-judicial killings, the U.S. and Western embassies have the patience of Job. Then, the local corporate sector, like the Federation of Philippine Industries, follows suit with a full-page ad supporting Gloria to stay until 2010.

Edsa I and II apologists and politicians must remember: "Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee." By their treason and distractive demonization, causing neglect of strategic self-sufficiency discussions and programs, they bring about this society's and their own undoing. Saddam Hussein was a U.S. surrogate, but he was brutally sacrificed in the end. Better to fight along the way Zimbabwe's revolutionary war veterans with Mugabe are fighting despite the Western embargo. Independence is the only option for national survival and prosperity. The price of liberty is to struggle against colonization, the way the U.S. founding fathers did, as well as, China, India, Vietnam, Malaysia et al. The Philippine crises provide opportunities for enlightening the people on the imperative nationalist and patriotic alternative--leadership provided by Alejandro Lichauco, General Danilo Lim, Senator Trillanes and the Magdalo, and by President Estrada.

(Tune in to "Kape't Kamulatan, Kabansa" on 1098AM, Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 9:00 am)