Critique of 2012 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of BS Aquino – Part 6 – Expansion of Injustice

Critique of 2012 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of BS Aquino – Part 6

This part of the SONA deals with the China issue, expansion of executive control on the other branches of government – legislative and the judiciary, trade barriers that only benefit vested interests, and attempts to hide corporatism.

We exist in this world with others. And so it is only appropriate that even as we attend to our own problems, we remain vigilant about some events that affect us.

The situation in Bajo de Masinloc has been the source of much discussion. Chinese fishermen entered out territory. Our patrol boats intercepted some of their ships, which contain endangered species. As your leader, it is my duty to uphold the laws of our country. And as I did, tension ensued: on one hand, the Chinese had their Nine-Dash Line Theory laying claim to almost the entire West Philippine Sea; on the other, there was the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea, which recognized the rights of many countries, including that of China itself.

We demonstrated utmost forbearance in dealing with this issue. As a sign of our goodwill, we replaced our navy cutter with a civilian boat as soon as we could. We chose not to respond to their media’s harangues. I do not think it excessive to ask that our rights be respected, just as we respect their rights as a fellow nation in a world we need to share.

There are those who say that we should let Bajo de Masinloc go; we should avoid the trouble. But if someone entered your yard and told you he owned it, would you agree? Would it be right to give away that which is rightfully ours?

And so I ask for solidarity from our people regarding this issue. Let us speak with one voice. Help me relay to the other side the logic of our stand.

This is not a simple situation, and there can be no simple solutions. Rest assured: we are consulting experts, every leader of our nation, our allies—even those on the other side—to find a resolution that is acceptable to all.

The bottom line really is whether Bajo Masinloc is within the confines of the territory formally defined in the Philippine constitution – and the borders defined in the Treaty of Paris. Of course, the DFA will assert the position is irrelevant because Baja Masinloc is outside those borders.

If it is not within those constitutionally defined confines – then the Philippines is in a gray area and we should think twice about any arms build up. Lest we wind up purchasing items to protect territories that are not defined as being ours in the Constitution. In the process the weapons merchants make the sale, taxpayers foot the bill, taxpayers have to do the fighting and dying too – on both sides.

It is also quite amusing to request our allies such as the US to have China observe the UNCLOS when the US itself has not signed the UNCLOS.

An alternative model that needs looking into is the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission which is officialy known as the Convention on future multilateral cooperation in North-East Atlantic fisheries (NEAFC)

It is a convention where the signatories involved include the European Economic Community, Faeroes, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and Russia.

The NEAFC’s principal objective is to “promote the conservation and optimum utilisation of the fishery resources of the North-East Atlantic area within a framework appropriate to the regime of extended coastal state jurisdiction over fisheries, and accordingly to encourage international cooperation and consultation with respect to these resources”. Also, to promote the exchange of scientific information and data on the state of the fishery resources in the area and on management policies.

The Philippines needs to pursue more diplomacy with its ASEAN neighbors – work out a framework for an acceptable code of conduct in the area which resolves not just the Philippine concerns but regional concerns as well.

With every step on the straight and righteous path, we plant the seeds of change. But there are still some who are commited to uprooting our work. Even as I speak, there are those who have gathered in a room, whispering to each other, dissecting each word I utter, looking for any pretext to attack me with tomorrow. These are also the ones who say, “Let go of the past. Unite. Forgive and forget so we can move forward as a people.”

I find this unacceptable. Shall we simply forgive and forget the ten years that were taken from us? Do we simply forgive and forget the farmers who piled up massive debts because of a government that insisted on importing rice, while we could have reinvested in them and their farmlands instead? Shall we forgive and forget the family of the police officer who died while trying to defend himself against guns with nothing but a nightstick?

Shall we forgive and forget the orphans of the 57 victims of the massacre in Maguindanao? Will their loved ones be brought back to life by forgiving and forgetting? Do we forgive and forget everything that was ever done to us, to sink us into a rotten state? Do we forgive and forget to return to the former status quo? My response: Forgiveness is possible; forgetting is not. If offenders go unpunished, society’s future suffering is guaranteed.

Every step on the straight and righteous path leads to more joblessness, more corruption, more hunger, and more underemployment while cronies become billionaires. The seeds of change were planted – but were those good seeds to begin with? Was there a grand bait and switch? Yes – there was change – change for the worst.

More than twenty five years of the Aquino constitution has given rise to a two tiered economy of haves and have nots, people who are either “in” or “out”. Having the wrong family name and the wrong nationality reduces the odds of your business success – as well as career paths.

The 57 massacres in Mindanao are outnumbered by the continuous massacres and murders in Central Luzon – specifically Hacienda Luisita – and all the murders in the various agricultural estates owned by the oligarchy with the assistance of the tax-funded AFP and PNP.

Government should not be in the business of imports and exports – nor should it set up barriers to trade. Favoring farmers at the expense of consumers is wrong. Favoring traders at the expense of taxpayers is wrong. A mutually beneficial arrangement is to keep the market free – no restrictions/tariffs/quotas on exports and imports.

Government reinvesting the money is wasteful. For one – it will only benefit the suppliers of the government agencies who will implement the programs. The better option is to eliminate and defund these agencies – and reduce the taxes collected to fund these agencies. The increase in tax savings can then be used by businesses to expand their enterprises without state intervention.

Different farmers have different needs and aspirations. Huge industrial farms owned by oligarchs and protected from competition expand monocropping which leads to a reduction in biodiversity – that in the long term leads to lower yields, higher costs of fertilization – and more income inequality. An open market will provide competition to oligarch agri companies thus limiting the latter’s ability to dominate the agriculture market with monocrops. An open market also allows SMEs to flourish as the entry of new big players provide additional revenue streams – instead of being a captive supplier of the oligarch agribusinesses who buy at paltry farm gate prices – with tax subsidies at that – then sells it to Filipino consumers for a hefty price.

Absolutely, how can we forgive and forget everything that was ever done to us, to sink us into a rotten state by the 1987 Cory Constitution. Millions of Filipinos sent overseas sent to compete in foreign markets because the fuckin oligarch companies are scared as shit to complete in the global market.

True unity and reconciliation can only emanate from genuine justice. Justice is the plunder case leveled against our former president; justice that she receives her day in court and can defend herself against the accusations leveled against her. Justice is what we witnessed on the 29th of May. On that day, we proved that justice can prevail, even when confronted with an opponent in a position of power. On that day, a woman named Delsa Flores, in Panabo, Davao del Norte, said “It is actually possible: a single law governing both a simple court reporter like me, and the Chief Justice.” It is possible for the scales to be set right, and for even the rich and powerful to be held accountable.

This is why, to the next Chief Justice, much will be demanded of you by our people. We have proven the impossible possible; now, our task is reform towards true justice that continues even after our administration. There are still many flaws in the system, and repairing these will not be easy. I am aware of the weight of your mandate. But this is what our people tasked us to do; this is the duty we have sworn to do; and this what we must do.

The logic behind this is still debatable because Delsa Flores could have asked for a judicial review – or certiorari. And if so found actionable – a possbile reversal renders the impeachment ruling as a LOUSY SHAM to extend executive control over an equal and independent branch of government.

Much will be demanded of the next Chief Justice – just like the doormats of Hacienda Luisita, Arlegui, and Pasig.

Justice is served when each Filipino is no longer restrained by government regulations that bind them to purchasing goods and services from Filipino companies owned by the oligarchs only. From cradle to grave – Meralco, PLDT, PAL, and SM.

It is an extreme injustice – an evil that exists in broad daylight. But too few Filipinos are able to recognize this for they have been in Plato’s cave since the day when the encomienderos came. The Pinoys have defaulted on their birthright to think for themselves, content with the euphoria of noontime shows, bimbos on parade, and a few slivers of silver then wonder why they are treated like brainless despicable shit.

Our objectives are simple: If you are innocent, you will appear in court with confidence, because you will be found not guilty. But if you are guilty, you will be made to pay for your sins, no matter who you are.

The road to hell is paved with good objectives. If you are innocent, you will be demonized in the media with fraudulent documents which will not stand in international courts. The guilty will be hidden and decoys will be launched to set the public astray. While the public is focused on CJ Corona, the pillage of the pork barrel of the President’s office – in connivance with the tongressman of the House of

Thieves, continues – everyone’s pigging out on tax money – except the taxpayer.

I would also like to thank Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, for accepting the challenges that came with the position. She could have turned down the responsibility, citing her retirement and volunteering others for the job—but her desire to serve the nation won out. This generosity was met with a grenade in her home. Ma’am, more challenges will come; in time, perhaps, they’ll give you the same monikers they’ve given me—a greedy capitalist who is also a communist headed towards dictatorship because of the reforms we have been working so hard to achieve.

Calling Aquino a capitalist is like calling a toddler an adult. Aquino is a corporatist – not a capitalist. Aquino’s gang of cronies are able to grow because of government intervention. True capitalists grow on the basis of innovation, competition, and superior value to consumers – not by a 60/40 constitutional protection.

True capitalists and entrepreneurs don’t hide behind the skirt of Cory’s welfare state constitution which only has succeeded turning a majority of Filipinos into Pobre, Pulpol at Palamunin – PPP – the Makati Business Club included. All is well in the Yellow Hermit Kingdom.

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(Don’t be overwhelmed by BS Aquino’s flood of misinformation. AP removes the fluff and focuses on the bacon – or the lack of it. A blow by blow rebuttal of the 2012 SONA, To be continued.)