Federal Philippines: Reap what you sow!
A series of seminars on Constitutional Change was conducted in the "Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila" in Intramuros Manila. The 5th and last was held last Dec. 7, 2005 with the speaker being the Canadian ambassador Peter Sutherland. Last November 2005, the 4th was held with the guest speaker being American Dr. Ellis Katz (a well known professor of Federalism loaned by the U.S. Embassy).I could not already understand why the Canadians would be in favor of a Federal Philippines, imagine my dismay that the Americans too were playing along with the thoughts of a Federal Philippines.
The Venable lobby contract aside, I do not believe that it would in the interest of the U.S. and even Canada to have a Federalized Philippines.Sometimes it is honorable to work against one's own interest but there are times when it seems to be nothing but utter brainless insanity.
If there ever is such a condition; this is probably one of them!
Federalization is sure to add another bureaucratic layer in government. The provinces are likely going to retain their own governors with subsequent offices and legislatures or whatever new terminolgies they wish to use for such officials. The additional layer will be provided by the new State governors/premieres, new State legislatures, etc....These will require a higher budget to be funded likely by a new slate of taxes and/or higher rates of existing ones. Unless they are smarter than others; it is likely that Multi National Companies will also be hit resulting in less earning of these companies. Some of these companies are owned by the Americans and the Canadians.Even if by some black magic they get to be exempted; their employees or laborers are unlikely to be so lucky. New or higher taxes on them will urge them to demand higher wages that will eat into the profits of these MNC's.
With the exception of Emilio Aguinaldo, I can not think at this time of a Chief Executive of the Philippines who has been considered Anti American.
Maybe not pro American but not anti american. Even Japan occupation President Laurel can't really be considered anti american.Practically every Filipino Head of State has been considered at one time or another as an AmBoy or AmGirl.
At this time, there are already pockets in this country that are considered foreign and local terrorists training grounds.When the American forces set their war games inside or close to terrorists' lairs (The Burnhams were still captives at that time if I'm not mistaken); it was by virtue of the existence of a strong unitary government that allowed them to do so.When this nation has been carved into federal states (provided the nation doesn't get dissolved outright), do the americans still think that a fractured and hampered federal government will be able to allow them to set up shop anywhere they request to do so?
Mark my words. There is all possibility and probability that at least one proposed state is going to elect a governor/premiere that will be anti american. Worse, not only might that governor be anti-american; that governor might be sympathetic to America's enemies.Nur Misuari was able to thumb the nose of a strong unitary government when he acquired, trained, and armed his followers in the ARMM. How much more will it be when a similar governor/premiere comes against a weak federal government.
As if by some clairaudience, I can hear foreign terrorists in our land laughing together:
Foreign Terrorist 1- "Foolish stupid Americans (and Canadians), they pick up stone to hit own head. Ha! Ha! Ha! HA!"
Foreign Terrorist 2- "That stone is us! HA! HA! HA!"
Woe to the Caucasian Europeans and espescially the Aussies. When these terrorists are finally exported and start targetting the Americans (Caucasians) ; all of them including the Canadians will look the same. The Aussies (and the Brits too) will even sound the same.
What is the the U.S. government going to do then? Cut off our loans? But then why should a state governor/premiere care what happens to the rest of the country? He/she already has his/her fiefdom to rule as he/she wishes!
When Americans and Canadians start getting maimed and murdered by these kind of terrorists (again); I will grieve along with you but my dear American and Canadian colleagues; know fully well that your governments are only reaping what they have sown!!!
posted by justicialiga @ 9:52 PM
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