Our POLITICAL awareness in the PHILIPPINES

The findings in a recent survey on Charter Change which revealed “(1) that most Filipinos (61 percent) were not aware of the charter change resolution filed in Congress, and (2) that more than half (61%) of Filipinos have not heard, read, or watched anything about the resolution calling for amendments,”  did not surprise us as  we know for a fact that the average reader or viewer shows preference for entertainment over public affairs information.

Perhaps too, because of our low level of awareness of social and political issues, we are now reaping the consequences of failure to exercise vigilance  – proliferation of political dynasties, monopolies, and oligopolies, widespread corruption, and the pork barrel scam, among others. They have been with us for decades because we have tolerated their existence. Our mass media, more concerned with economic survival,  have  likewise been unable to exercise their “watchdog” function effectively. It had to take the social media to undertake the task of awakening the people to the many social injustices happening before our eyes.

Again, we find ourselves at a crossroads as we confront these challenges:  “enhancement” of  the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, finding a mutually peaceful solution to the territorial conflict with China; acceptance of the basic law creating the Bangsamoro sub-state; choice of suitable candidates for 2016;  and ensuring that our initiatives in educational reforms get to a good start. These,  in addition to potential hurdles in the implementation of the Reproductive Health law, and the rehabilitation of disaster communities.  At this time, the media should be setting the agenda for debate and dialogue on these issues. Needing even greater attention because they can be divisive are the bills on charter change.

Thus far, the following bills/resolutions have been filed:  Senate Resolution No. 10 by Senator Aquilino Pimentel III calling for the change in structure of our presidential system to a federal republic; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.’s bill, pushing for economic liberalization; Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Party List Rep. Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr.’s bill for a federal-parliamentary system of government in addition to economic liberalization.

There are also initiatives from business groups like the Foundation for Economic Freedom, Arangkada Philippines, and Makati Business Club; government agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Trade and Industry which are calling for economic liberalization; advocacy groups like Save our Languages through Federalism, advocate for federalism and abolition of the national language; and from political parties like the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines and the Democratic Party of the Philippines.

Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/our-level-of-political-awareness/#HuFgzSvlXEs6wsAK.99