
By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
The issue of federalism is now again in the air. With it, for us Cordillerans, is autonomy. For having a federal form of government would be useless if we are lumped with other regions in Luzon. We would be a minority and with the number of voters we have, the other regions within our federal state would end up controlling us. That would get the nod of the national powers-that-be as they care more for the vote-rich areas than a teeny weeny Cordillera.
So the best choice for us is to have a Cordillera Federal State. While it would not be perfect, at least we would not be under the beck and call of the bigger parts of the region like Pangasinan, or the Ilocs Region, or the Cagayan Valley. And in those areas are found personalities who might become Luzon’s Ampatuan family which is one of the possible dangers being cited by those who are anti-Autonomy. To be objective, the possibility is there.
As a small federal state, the chances of us being taken out from the clutches of the highly oligarchic system of the country would be better. Those who think that the Cordillera would be very small for a federal state are deadly wrong. The cantons of Switzerland are examples of how small towns—considered federal states—became united as one nation with a federal form of government. Its smallest state only has a population of barely over 15 thousand while the bigger ones only have more than a million citizens. Of course everybody knows that Switzerland is a very rich country specializing in numbered bank accounts containing billions of dollars many of which are the ill-gotten wealth of killer dictators or the corrupt politburo members of China or Russia.
But back to the term “oligarchy.” PDU30 mentioned this in his speech the other day before OFWs in Hongkong who cheered him on every time he ranted or cursed or uttered his usual cuss words (e.g. putang ina!) against the Prieto family of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Gaby Lopez of ABS-CBN. Then he said, the Philippines is still being run by oligarchs.
The word oligarchs became an ordinary term in this country during the time of Pres. Marcos just before he declared Martial Law. He was ranting then against the Lopez family (of ABS-CBN fame) who financed his (Marcos’) way to Malacanang but who were then abandoning Marcos’ political ship. Shortly, thereafter, Marcos declared Martial Law and then jailed thousands who went against him, including many of the Lopezes who were not able to run and seek refuge abroad.
Oligarchy from how we understand it, is being ruled by a few rich families who control the economy.
The more important question in our minds, however, is what is PDU30 doing to dismantle the oligarchy so the nation’s riches can be distributed in a more egalitarian way? I don’t see anything revolutionary from my very tiny corner. Perhaps, federalism can help in a way but the oligarchy will still be there, and the very wide gap between the rich and the poor will keep on widening.
Going back to Cordillera Autonomy, I once attended a media affair at the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency in front of the Mansion House. The discussions veered towards Cordillera Autonomy and then my seatmate who is a well-known lady in the media said, “Paana ba naman, pare pareho na lang ‘yong speakers pag may Autonomy affair. Lalong lalo na ‘yong mga galing sa medya. Pare pareho na lang. Parang sila lang ang magaling.”
While that might be an unfair comment, perhaps the Regional Development Council should come up with new strategies and personalities to promote Autonomy. Otherwise, we might end up having the same results.
Such new strategies should be forthcoming especially since the RDC head now is Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan. He should infuse that body with some dynamism and new viewpoints.
Some food for thought.
**