By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
I am a staunch supporter of any move to establish a federal form of government or autonomy, or anything that smacks of decentralization. A decentralized organization should be a lot better if the people in key positions are responsible and efficient. But if they are corrupt, then things would be a lot worse.
But where do we begin to have such an efficient decentralized government? I am mindful of our officials’ “make money while the sun shines” attitude which has filtered down to all and sundry, Thus, whenever one lands in a position in government, his attitude is to “make hay, rather money, …………………..”
While I am just an individual, I am willing to take the risk for the establishing of a federal government. Sure, there will be a lot of birth pains, mistakes, failures, suffering, etc. But when will we ever be freed from the clutches of the center of power, Imperial Manila.
Small federal states might end up being ruled by some version of the Ampatuans, but some states might end up very prosperous where officials are easier to reach as they are localized.
I don’t see however the relationship between a Revolutionary Government and a federal system. A RevGov is a bit of scary to me. It sounds like the three branches of government (judiciary, legislative and executive) will all end up being run by a dictator. In other words, the death of democracy
Such system is always backed by a strong police force and military that often end up running the country as a junta. This means people will be abused as the checks and balances assured by democratic institutions would have been decimated.
So count me in for any movement for federalism, but for a RevGov? No thank you.
Then there is the headline of this issue on the CPLA’s move for a reactivation of the Cordillera Bodies. While I have nothing against any member of the CPLA, the problem with that group is their reputation now, if they have any left.
Here are questions the CPLA have to ask themselves. Have they kept or maintained their supposed ideals of fighting for the interest of Cordillerans? Have they maintained their supposed revolutionary discipline like living simply or with just the barest of necessities, and always on the lookout for chances to protect the downtrodden? As to living simply, why don’t they look at their individual lifestyle?
Or have their lifestyle degenerated into something like that of everybody of us which can be summed up as “running after every economic or political opportunity” that presents itself in our day-to-day lives?
In my book, without a revolutionized lifestyle, or being contented with the most basic of necessities among a group’s leaders, no revolutionary goal could be attained.
Or perhaps the CPLA leaders should conduct a survey on how ordinary people think about them. Do the people love them, or are the people afraid of them or hate them?
A few people I know think of them as “squatters.” If this is wrong or not true, then the CPLA (if there is still such a viable group) should start correcting it through moves that will make the people love them.
What I am saying here is, the problem of the CPLA are themselves.
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