NTC Calls for Day of Mourning and Prayers

Today, January 28, 2015, the National Transformation Council (NTC) is declaring a nationwide day of mourning and prayers for our fallen Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) personnel. The death of our compatriots is indeed a national tragedy and we enjoin all Filipinos to honor them in solemn and deep prayers and commiseration to the loved ones they leave behind. May God take them in His bosom in mercy and love.

Do's and Don'ts of “System Change”

“System Change” is the transformation of the fundamental structure of the state, that is usually linked to politics and the economy.ⁱ It involves revolutionary changes in the structure of government and the key economic policies. It usually includes major revisions of the constitution and the laws.

“System Change” becomes imperative when the existing system fails to generate jobs for the poor, protects the monopolies of the rich, enables family dynasties to rule, manufactures election results, institutionalizes graft and corruption, perpetrates selective justice, rewards criminality, distorts history to hide the ugly truth, and closes avenues for genuine reform.

To ensure that “System Change” leads to meaningful social transformation, these guidelines are suggested to assist the people and their delegates in reaching a general agreement, on which structures and policies to change in order to promote the general welfare and ultimately the common good.

The suggested Do's and Don'ts are as follows:

1. DO discuss proposed changes in orderly manner,
2. DO focus discussions on structural and policy issues that matter,
3. DON'T divert discussions to peripheral issues that don't matter,
4. DO use available language when general agreement is reached,
5. DON'T use new language unless necessary,
6. DO consult lawyers and English scholars to review language,
7. DO record discussions for future reference.

While the subject of “System Change” includes both the constitution and the major statutory laws (such as the Local Government Code and the Organic Act for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), these guidelines discuss only the constitution for brevity.

1. DO discuss proposed changes in orderly manner.

Meetings of importance always have an agenda. Otherwise, everyone will rise to take the floor and talk about his or her own favorite topic. When the meeting adjourns, no one present will know what it was all about. This is so regardless of whether the meeting is physical in a town hall or board room, or virtual in cyberspace.

Accordingly, it is elementary that serious discussions about “System Change” must begin with an agenda. Anyway, if the majority of the participants do not like the agenda presented, they are free to change it.

My personal preference is to adopt the content outline of the 1973 Constitution as the agenda items for any serious forum on “System Change”. Why? It is because the 1973 Constitution covers the basics with short and simple statements. Moreover, it is the ONLY Philippine Constitution drafted by ELECTED delegates INDEPENDENT of the authority of a foreign power.

The 1973 Constitution consists of a Preamble and 17 Articles, i.e. National Territory, Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Citizenship, Bill of Rights, Duties and Obligations of Citizens, Suffrage, President and Vice-President, National Assembly, Prime Minister and Cabinet, Judiciary, Local Government, Constitutional Commissions, Accountability of Public Officers, National Economy and the Patrimony of the Nation, General Provisions, Amendments, Transitory Provisions.

The Preamble and 17 Articles make a total of 18 subjects outlined for discussion.

If participants want to omit certain subjects from the outline, let them explain.

If participants want to add new subjects to the outline, let them explain.

If participants want a totally different outline with nothing in common with the 18 subjects for discussion, let them explain.

If participants want an “uncodified” or “unwritten” constitution, just like in the United Kingdom, let them explain.

1. DO focus discussions on structural and policy issues that matter.

The ultimate purpose of “System Change” is to improve our lives and change the economy and politics for the better. Accordingly, we should focus our energies on issues that matter. These are the changes that promise to make tectonic shifts in society.

My personal view of the structural and policy issues that matter include the following:

1. Proposed liberalization of restrictions on foreign investments; the proposition seeks to generate jobs for the poor through massive capital infusion; it also seeks to dismantle the monopolies of the rich through open competition; finally, it seeks to dismantle the cartels of government suppliers and contractors through the entry of new independent players;

2. Proposed shift from the “presidential form” of government to a “parliamentary form”; in other words, the shift from individual rule to collective rule; the proposition seeks to loosen the grip of oligarchs over the national government; it also seeks to establish a lean but strong national government;

3. Proposed shift from the “mayor type” of local government to a “council type”; in other words, the shift from individual rule to collective rule; the proposition seeks to loosen the grip of family dynasties over local governments in the provinces, cities and municipalities; it also seeks to establish lean but strong local government units;

4. Proposed shift from a “unitary state” to a “semi-federal” or “federal state”; in other words, regional decentralization through regional authorities, autonomous regions or sub-states; should regional decentralization be applied to all regions or only to certain regions such as the Muslim dominated areas in Mindanao and the Cordilleras? if applied to all regions, should a uniform structure be adopted, or should we allow different structures to be adopted in different regions; the proposition seeks to empower the regions to develop their respective economic strengths;

5. Proposed legal recognition of the Southern Sultanates, without vesting them with government powers, just like in the United Kingdom and Japan; the proposition seeks to reverse the suppression of a cultural heritage and legitimate social institution; it also seeks to strengthen the legal standing of the Sultanate of Sulu to negotiate improved proprietary compensation from Malaysia for the possession of Sabah.

Among these issues, I believe that the proposed liberalization of restrictions on foreign investments is the most urgent. Why? It is because this particular proposition has direct and immediate consequences on job generation and poverty alleviation.

Notably, it takes about Php180,000.00 to employ one rank-and-file employee for one full year in Makati City. This estimate includes the applicable daily minimum wage and the proportionate cost of modest office space and utility charges used for the employee. It may take about half the amount or Php90,000.00 to employ one employee for one full year in Region I which has the lowest daily minimum wage rate.

Out of our estimated population of 101,802,706 for 2015ⁱⁱ, some 64,950,126 (63.8%)ⁱⁱⁱ are in the labor force. Out of the total labor force, some 4,871,259 (7.5%)^iv are unemployed while 12,665,275 (19.5%)^v are underemployed.

If we multiply the number of workers unemployed (4,871,259) by the lowest estimated cost of employing one worker for one year (Php90,000.00), we have the staggering amount of Php438,430,310,000.00 representing the total cost required to employ all the unemployed for just one year.

Where will we get that kind of money? From the government? The oligarchs? The family dynasties? The communists who want government to take-over virtually all major industries?

The controversial restrictions on foreign investments have been in our constitution for the past eighty (80) years since 1935. Are we supposed to wait for another eighty (80) years to see if these restrictions actually benefit the greater majority of our people?

We can learn from the United States on how to deal with foreign investors. They have an inter-agency mechanism that screens foreign investments to protect their national security^vi. In 2006, the Government of the United States used this screening mechanism to block the acquisition of Sequoia Voting Systems of California by the Venezuelan-owned Smartmatic International.^vii Here in the Philippines, the same Smartmatic International has already taken technical control of our automated elections for the years 2010 and 2013. Election reform advocates continue to be helpless in holding this Venezuelan company to account for the disablement of various system safeguards.

3. DON'T divert discussions to peripheral issues that don't matter.

The real challenge of “System Change” lies in facing head-on the structural and policy issues that matter. Other matters short of the major structural and policy issues are merely peripherals. They serve no purpose except to divert or dilute the focus of the people and their delegates.

For example, Article II of the 1987 Constitution already declares as state policy the promotion of social justice^viii, the respect for human rights^ix, the primacy of education^x, and the protection of the family^xi. Apparently not content with these declarations, the framers proceeded to incorporate entirely new Articles on Social Justice and Human Rights^xii, Education^xiii and Family^xiv.

Did these new Articles add anything not covered or justified by the basic declaration of state policy? Did these new clauses improve our lives? The answer is obviously in the negative.

It is bad enough that the framers failed to address the more important structural and policy issues that would have improved our economy and politics. It is worse that they instead gave us an illusion of a better life, writing lengthy but empty statements that add nothing to what we already have.

3. DO use available language when general agreement is reached.

Crafting new language, even though existing language is available, is like re-inventing the wheel. It is a waste of time.

Moreover, new language brings with it judicial uncertainty. While the meaning of past and present language may have been settled by the courts already, new language is still open to future judicial interpretation.

Notably, we do not exist in a vacuum. We have a wealth of organic acts, both past and present, that may provide suitable templates for the appropriate language. These organic acts are as follows: 1899 Malolos Constitution (establishing a parliamentary government), Philippine Bill of 1902 (establishing a municipal government), 1935 Constitution (establishing a presidential government), 1943 Constitution (establishing a semi-parliamentary government), 1973 Constitution (establishing a parliamentary government), 1973 Constitution as amended in 1976 (establishing a supra presidential government), 1986 Constitution (establishing a revolutionary government), and 1987 Constitution (establishing a presidential government).

For example, if the general agreement were to establish a presidential form of government, we can use as template either the 1935 Constitution or the 1987 Constitution. We can also refer to the 1787 Constitution of the United States as additional material. If the general agreement were to establish a parliamentary form of government, we likewise have ready templates such as the 1899 Constitution, the 1943 Constitution and the 1973 Constitution.

5. DON'T use new language unless necessary.

The exceptions that may justify efforts at crafting of new language are when the existing language is erroneous, vague, or of a policy that needs to be modified or reversed, or when there is no precedent available.

For example, the 1973 Constitution defined national territory to include “other territories belonging to the Philippines by historic or legal title”. The definition was a deliberate modification of the old definition under the 1935 Constitution which included only “all territory over which the present Government of the Philippine Islands exercises jurisdiction”.

The apparent purpose of the modification under the 1973 Constitution was to strengthen the sovereign claim of the Philippines to the territory of Sabah based on historic or legal title.

Notably, former President Marcos laid claim to the Kalayaan Group of Islands in the South China Sea (now West Philippine Sea) based also on history, among other grounds, pursuant to the modified definition of territory under the 1973 Constitution.^xv

Moving forward to the 1987 Constitution, the framers this time reduced the coverage and weakened the basis of the nation's territorial claim, purportedly to improve relations with Malaysia. In return, Malaysia was expected to take favorable action on the proprietary claim of the Sulu Sultanate for adjustment of the yearly compensation due from the former's possession of Sabah.

Twenty-eight (28) years later today, the Sulu Sultanate continues to complain that Malaysia has ignored their proprietary claim.

To remedy this anomaly, we will need to change the present definition of national territory and revert back to the language of the 1973 Constitution. This will give both the Philippines and the Sulu Sultanate a stronger legal position to negotiate for what is due from Malaysia.

A tabular comparison of the different definitions of national territory follows for reference:

1935 Constitution	1973 Constitution	1987 Constitution
Article I, Section 1. The Philippines comprises all the territory ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Paris concluded between the United States and Spain on the tenth day of December, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, the limits which are set forth in Article III of said treaty, together with all the islands embraced in the treaty concluded at Washington between the United States and Spain on the seventh day of November, nineteen hundred, and the treaty concluded between the United States and Great Britain on the second day of January, nineteen hundred and thirty, and all territory over which the present Government of the Philippine Islands exercises jurisdiction. (emphasis supplied)	Article I, Section 1. The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all the other territories belonging to the Philippines by historic or legal title, including the territorial sea, the air space, the subsoil, the sea-bed, the insular shelves, and the submarine areas over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction. The waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, irrespective of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines. (emphasis supplied)	Article I. The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around between, the connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions, from part of the internal waters of the Philippines. (emphasis supplied)

Another example, the 1987 Constitution declares the principle that “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.” (emphasis supplied)^xvi Curiously however, the same Constitution thereafter declares that the goal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines “is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.” (emphasis supplied)^xvii

So where does sovereignty reside now? in the Filipino people comprised of 100 million natural persons? or in the Republic of the Philippines which is a juridical person that exists solely by legal fiction?

There is an obvious error here by the framers that can only be rectified by using new corrective language. If the term is used as a noun, then yes sovereignty resides in the people. If however the term is used as an adjective, then that is when we say that our country is a sovereign state.

Still another example, the 1987 Constitution apparently sought to carry over the past prohibition against foreign ownership of land. Unfortunately for the framers, they crafted new language even when they could have adopted the old language under the 1973 Constitution.

A comparison of the relevant constitutional provisions follows:

1973 Constitution	1987 Constitution
Section 8. All lands of public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, wildlife, and other natural resources of the Philippines belong to the State. With the exception of agricultural, industrial or commercial, residential, or resettlement lands of the public domain, natural resources shall not be alienated... (emphasis supplied)	Section 2. All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated... (emphasis supplied)
Section 9. The disposition, exploration, development, exploitation, or utilization of any of the natural resources of the Philippines shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of the capital which is owned by such citizens... (emphasis supplied)	Section 2... The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State. The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens. (emphasis supplied)
	Section 3... Private corporations or associations may not hold such alienable lands of the public domain except by lease, for a period not exceeding twenty-five years, renewable for not more than twenty-five years, and not to exceed one thousand hectares in area. Citizens of the Philippines may lease not more than five hundred hectares, or acquire not more than twelve hectares thereof by purchase, homestead, or grant.
Section 14. Save in cases of hereditary succession, no private land shall be transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations, or associations qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain. (emphasis supplied)	Section 7. Save in cases of hereditary succession, no private lands shall be transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations, or associations qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain. (emphasis supplied)

Thus, under the 1973 Constitution, it was clear that private land may be transferred only to Filipinos or corporations owned 60% by Filipinos, because they were the only persons qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain.
On the other hand, under the 1987 Constitution, it is unclear if private land may be transferred only to corporations owned 60% by Filipinos, because Section 3 does not say so, and Section 2 apparently refers to mining rather than to the acquisition of lands of the public domain.

There is another lapse here by the framers that can only be corrected by using new clarificatory language.

For the record, I no longer believe that the various constitutional prohibitions against foreign investments supposedly promote our national interest. Anyway, my personal belief here is beside the point. This example is made to show that using new language, despite the availability of existing language, may actually result in ambiguity.

6. DO consult lawyers and English scholars to review language.

Whether we like it or not, the constitution is a legal instrument. In fact, it is no ordinary legal instrument. It is the highest or supreme law of the land. All other statutory laws, implementing rules and regulations, administrative orders and local ordinances will be null and void if these instruments contradict the constitution.

Accordingly, since the constitution is a legal instrument, it is only prudent that the people through their delegates seek the assistance of lawyers in writing or reviewing the language intended to express what has been agreed upon.

Apart from the lawyers, it is also useful to seek the assistance of English scholars, assuming that the constitution will be written in English. They can help much in simplifying the otherwise lengthy and winding language of lawyers. English teachers make good English scholars.

7. DO record discussions for future reference.

If the process of constitutional reform is by constitutional convention, constituent assembly or constitutional commission, the deliberation of delegates and hearing of resource persons are documented in due course. If however the process is by people's initiative, there are no fixed rules on documentation. It is here in a people's initiative that extra effort is required to document the process.

If apart from face-to-face interaction, the people's inputs are also sought directly through social media, then the delegates or proponents must also find innovative ways and means to document the exchange views and information.

Remember that the constitution is a legal instrument. In case of conflicting interpretations, the courts will resolve the conflict by reviewing the records of deliberations and hearings, among other ways and means. If there are no such records, then it is possible that the courts will reach a conclusion much different from that intended by the framers.

Atty. Dindo Donato

General Counsel

Tanggulang Demokrasya (TanDem), Inc.

23 January 2015

iSee http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regime_change. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_change.

ii Worldometers (www.Worldometers.info)

Elaboration of data by United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2012 Revision. (Medium-fertility variant).

iii Data are as of September 2014. Source: National Statistics Office (NSO).

iv Data are as of September 2014. Source: National Statistics Office (NSO).

v Data are as of September 2014. Source: National Statistics Office (NSO).

viSee US Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended by FINSA, Section 721 (50 U.S.C. App. 2170). Executive Order No. 11858 (as amended by Executive Order No. 13456), re Foreign Investment in the United States.

viihttp://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/us/politics/31vote.html

viii1987 Constitution, Article II Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 10.

ix1987 Constitution, Article II Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 11.

x1987 Constitution, Article II Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 17.

xi1987 Constitution, Article II Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 12.

xii1987 Constitution, Article XIII Social Justice and Human Rights.

xiii1987 Constitution, Article XIV Education.

xiv1987 Constitution, Article XV The Family.

xvPres. Dec. No. 1596, Kalayaan Island Group, 11 June 1978.

xvi1987 Constitution, Article II Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 1.

xviiId, Section 3.

Joma backs Duterte for president under a coalition

By Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News

Posted at 12/29/2014 6:24 PM | Updated as of 12/29/2014 7:30 PM

MANILA – Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Joma Sison responded positively to pronouncements made by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte that he was willing to form a coalition with the CPP should he decide to run for president.
In an article in the local publication Davao Today, Duterte reportedly said, "I will form a coalition government with them. I will accept their top officials if I'll become the President. We just need to agree on some issues. I will take control of the AFP-PNP to avoid chaos as we are working on how to address the problem and find the appropriate solution."
Sison responded on Facebook, saying, "Mayor Duterte should become president if he is willing to have a democratic coalition government with the revolutionary forces and other patriotic and progressive forces of our people.”
He said the Reds and Duterte can have a common program on “real national independence and territorial integrity, democratic empowerment of the working people, economic development through national industrialization and genuine land reform, social justice, a patriotic and progressive culture and international solidarity with other peoples for peace and development. What the revolutionary forces want is what the people demand."

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/29/14/joma-duterte-should-be-president-if

The Davao Declaration: We must now transform our vision into reality

DAVAO DECLARATION: WE MUST NOW TRANSFORM OUR VISION INTO REALITY

5 December A.D. 2014/12 Safar A.H. 1436

HAVING FOLLOWED WITH ABIDING INTEREST THE VARIOUS ASSEMBLIES CONVENED EARLIER BY HE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL, AND SHARING THE COUNCIL'S DECLARED VISION FOR OUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE, WE, CITIZENS FORM VARIOUS PARTS OF MINDANAO AND OTHER REGIONS, MET IN DAVAO CITY THIS 5 DECEMBER A.D. 2014/12 SAFAR A.H. 1436 TO UNITE OUR EFFORTS WITH THOSE OF THE COUNCIL IN SEEKING TO TRANSFORM OUR LAND INTO A WELL-RUN, PEACEFUL, GOD-LOVING AND PROSPEROUS DEMOCRATIC NATION.

WE BELIEVE THAT REGIME AND SYSTEMS CHANGE, AS PROPOSED BY THE COUNCIL AND SUPPORTED FULLY BY THE PREVIOUS ASSEMBLIES, IS THE ONLY VALID COURSE OF ACTION FOR OUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE, AND THAT WE MUST EXERT ALL EFFORTS TO ATTAIN THIS OBJECTIVE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME.

WE AFFIRM AND ADOPT AS OUR OWN THE DECLARATIONS ISSUED BY THE PREVIOUS ASSEMBLIES AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO UNDERTAKE SUCH LAWFUL ACTION AS IS NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE TO TRANSFORM THE MORAL, POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER OF THE NATION.

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS OF VARYING MAGNITUDE HAVE COMPELLED THE PREVIOUS ASSEMBLIES TO DEMAND THAT THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION PROMPTLY ADDRESS EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS. BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN FORTHCOMING. THE NATION REMAINS SADDLED WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS ON TOP OF AN UNCARING ADMINISTRATION WHOSE VERY EXISTENCE IS IN CONTINUED VIOLATION OF THE MORAL ORDER AND THE CONSTITUTION.

WE DEPLORE THE PRESIDENT'S CONTINUED STRANGLEHOLD UPON CONGRESS, IN VIOLATION OF THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AND THE DOCTRINE OF CHECKS AND BALANCES AMONG THE THREE CO-EQUAL AND COORDINATE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AS GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

WE DEPLORE THE ONGOING EFFORT OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO RAILROAD A P2.6 TRILLION 2015 BUDGET WHICH RESURRECTS ALL THE LUMP SUM DISCRETIONARY APPROPRIATIONS, WHICH THE SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL WHEN IT VOIDED THE PORK BARREL SYSTEM, CONSISTING OF THE PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND AND THE DISBURSEMENT ACCELERATION PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED 2014 P23-BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET, REPORTEDLY TO FUND PROJECTS WHICH THE PRESIDENT HAD CREATED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED CONSENT OF CONGRESS, BUT WHICH LOST THEIR FUNDING WHEN THE HIGH COURT VOIDED THE DAP.

WE DEPLORE THE FAILURE, IF NOT DOWNRIGHT REFUSAL, OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO COMPLY WITH THE SUPREME COURT'S EXPRESS DIRECTIVE TO PROSECUTE ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND ILLEGAL MANIPULATION AND MISUSE OF THE DAP, INVOLVING AT LEAST TWO HUNDRED BILLION PESOS.

WE DEPLORE THE FAILURE OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO PROMPTLY AND ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE NATIONWIDE TRANSPORTATION CRISIS, THE ENERGY AND ELECTRIC POWER CRISIS, THE WATER AND FOOD SUPPLY CRISIS, THE PEACE AND ORDER CRISIS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS, AND ABOVE ALL, THE NATIONAL GOVERNANCE CRISIS, WHICH BEGINS WITH PRESIDENT AQUINO'S VIRTUAL CONTROL OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE CONDUCT OF ALL ELECTIONS.

AS MINDANAOANS, WE SPECIFICALLY LAMENT THE ADMINISTRATION'S HALF-BAKED EFFORTS TO PASS A BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW WITHOUT SUFFICIENT CONSULTATIONS WITH ALL THE AFFECTED PARTIES IN MINDANAO AND BEYOND, WHICH IS INDISPENSABLE IN CREATING THE CONSENSUS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY SUPPORT THE LAW'S MOST AMBITIOUS PROVISIONS. THIS IS MOST UNFAIR AND UNJUST TO ALL MUSLIM FILIPINOS AND ALL OTHER FILIPINOS, WHO LOOK FORWARD TO LONG LASTING PEACE AND PROSPERITY THROUGH A MEANINGFUL, AUTONOMOUS STRUCTURE.

AS MINDANOANS, WE DEPLORE THE FAILURE OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO HELP THE LOWLY COCONUT FARMERS ACQUIRE WHAT IS DUE THEM, BY PASSIVELY STANDING B WHILE A GROUP OF ELITIST POLITICIANS AND THEIR CRONIES TRIES TO TORPEDO AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD FINALLY GIVE THE FARMERS THE RIGHT TO USE THEIR OWN FUNDS COMING FROM THE COCONUT LEVY.

THIS LIST OF GRIEVANCES IS MERELY ILLUSTRATIVE, RATHER THAN EXHAUSTIVE, BUT WHEREAS EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS NEEDS AND DESERVES A SPECIFIC SOLUTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT NO SOLUTIONS IS POSSIBLE WHILE THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT IS IN OFFICE. THE SOLUTION WILL COME ONLY UPON THE REMOVAL OF THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT, AND ITS REPLACEMENT BY A MORE RESPONSIBLE AND CARING GOVERNMENT.

FOR THIS REASON, WE UNANIMOUSLY DECLARE THAT THE TIME TO COMPEL PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO STEP DOWN IS NOW, THAT THAT AT THE END OF THIS DAVAO ASSEMBLY, THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL SHOULD EMBARK UPON A NATIONWIDE MOBILIZATION EFFORT IN ORDER TO TRANSFORM IT VISION INTO REALITY.

DONE IN THE CITY OF DAVAO, 5 DECEMBER A.D. 2014 / 12 SAFAR A.H. 1436.

The Pampanga Declaration: Step Up the Campaign for Regime and Systems Change

THE CENTRAL LUZON DECLARATION

STEP UP THE CAMPAIGN FOR REGIME AND SYSTEMS CHANGE, MAKE CENTRAL LUZON JUETENG-FREE AND TURN THE FORMER US BASES (CLARK AND SUBIC) INTO AN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTIC HUB FOR TRANSPORT, TRADE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT.

3 DECEMBER A.D. 2014/10 SAFAR. A.H. 1436

DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NATION'S WORSENING MORAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS, AND THE GOVERNMENT'S UTTER FAILURE TO RESPOND TO IT, WE WHO REPRESENT THE BROAD POPULATION OF CENTRAL LUZON, TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS FROM VARIOUS PART OF THE COUNTRY, GATHERED AT ANGELES CITY THIS 3 DECEMBER A.D. 2014/10 SAFAR A.H. 1436/ TO AIR OUR MOST URGENT GRIEVANCES AND GRAVEST CONCERNS TO THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL, AND TO PROCLAIM OUR UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT FOR THE COUNCIL'S CALL FOR IMMEDIATE REGIME AND SYSTEMS CHANGE.

GUIDED BY THE OBJECTIVE MORAL LAW AND THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, WE HEREBY AFFIRM AND ADOPT AS OUR OWN THE MAJOR POINTS EMBODIES IN THE LIPA DECLARATION OF 27 AUGUST A.D. 2014/2 DHU AL-QA'DA A.H. 1435, THE CEBU DECLARATION OF 1 OCTOBER A.D. 2014/7 DHU AL-HIJRAH A.H. 1435, AND THE BUTUAN DECLARATION OF 11 NOVEMBER A.D. 2014/18 MUHARRAM A.H. 1435.

WITH THE LIPA ASSEMBLY, WE SIMULTANEOUSLY DECLARE THAT PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO 3RD HAS LOST HIS MORAL RIGHT TO LEAD THE NATION, AND HAS BECOME A DANGER TO THE PHILIPPINE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN STATE AND TO THE PEACE, FREEDOM, SECURITY AND MORAL AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.

WITH THE SAME ASSEMBLY, WE UNEQUIVOCALLY CALL ON PRESIDENT AQUINO TO IMMEDIATELY RELINQUISH HIS POSITION, AND ON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO ASSUME THE URGENT AND NECESSARY TASK OF RESTORING OUR DAMAGED POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN TO CONSIDER ELECTING A NEW GOVERNMENT UNDER NORMAL POLITICAL CONDITIONS.

WITH THE CEBU ASSEMBLY, WE LIKEWISE CALL ON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO PURSUE ALL NECESSARY AND LAWFUL MEANS TO COMPEL PRESIDENT AQUINO TO STEP DOWN AT THE SOONEST POSSIBLE TIME AND TO IMMEDIATELY ORGANIZE AN ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT COMPOSED OF MEN AND WOMEN OF INTEGRITY AND PROVEN WORTH.

WE CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE FILING OF CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST ALL THE OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN THE MISUSE OF THE PORK BARREL SYSTEM, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND AND DISBURSEMENT ACCELERATION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO THE DIRECTIVE CONTAINED IN THE SUPREME COURT RULING DECLARING THE PDAF AND THE DAP UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

WE CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AS A CONDITIO SINE QUA NON FOR THE HOLDING OF ANY FUTURE ELECTION, THE FORMAL PROSECUTION BEFORE THE SANDIGANBAYAN OF ALL THE COMELECT OFFICIALS CHARGED WITH THE RIGGING THE 2010 AND 2013 ELECTIONS, AND ALL INCUMBENT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO "OVERSPENT" IN THE LAST ELECTIONS.

WITH THE BUTUAN ASSEMBLY, WE CALL FOR MORE EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS ON THE PROPOSED BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW, NOW PENDING IN CONGRESS, AND FOR SPEEDING UP THE PROPOSED FEDERALIZATION AGENDA FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO ENHANCE THE MOST EQUITABLE, SIMULTANEOUS EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALL THE REGIONS.

WE LIKEWISE CALL ON THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO FIND AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION TO THE ELECTRIC POWER CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY INSTEAD OF MANIPULATING THE SITUATION TO JUSTIFY THE PROPOSAL TO GRANT EMERGENCY POWERS TO THE PRESIDENT, WHICH WILL SIMPLY ADD NEW BURDENS TO OUR PEOPLE, WHILE ALLOWING MONOPOLIST GROUPS TO RETAIN CONTROL OF POWER DISTRIBUTION EVERYWHERE, ESPECIALLY IN MINDANAO.

WE DENOUNCE THE UNCONTROLLED RESURGENCE OF JUETENG IN PAMPANGA AND ITS NEIGHBORING PROVINCES, WHICH CORRUPTS THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AND PROMOTES POLITICAL DYNASTIES IN THE REGION, THE SHARP DETERIORATION OF PEACE AND ORDER AND THE LOCAL POLITICAL CULTURE BECAUSE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, AND THE CONTINUED WASTED POTENTIAL OF CLARK, SUBIC AND THE PACIFIC COAST AS A DEVELOPMENT HUB IN CENTRAL LUZON.

WE THEREFORE CALL ON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO HELP EXPOSE THE SURGE OF JUETENG-RELATED CORRUPTION AND DISMANTLE THE CRIMINAL SYNDICATE AND POLITICAL MACHINERY CREATED BY SUCH CORRUPTION, AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF POWERFUL NATIONAL POLITICIANS.

FINALLY, WE CALL ON THE COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLARK, SUBIC AND THE PACIFIC COAST AS AN INTERNATIONAL HUB FOR TRANSPORTATION, TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS BE GIVEN TOP PRIORITY BY THE NEXT GOVERNMENT, GIVING FULL VALUE TO THE PLANS AND PROGRAMS EMANATING FROM THE GROUND.

DONE IN ANGELES CITY, PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA THIS 3 DECEMBER A.D. 2014/10 SAFAR A.H. 1436.

Davao Death Squad - Totoo o Kathang-Isip?

The Butuan Declaration: Peace and Good Governance in the Country should begin in Mindanao

THE BUTUAN DECLARATION:
PEACE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE COUNTRY
SHOULD BEGIN IN MINDANAO

RECALLING THE TWO ASSEMBLIES CONVENED EARLIER BY THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL IN LIPA ON AUGUST 27, 2014 AND CEBU ON OCTOBER 1, 2014, AND DESIRING TO SEIZE THE MOMENTUM AND BUILD UPON THE GAINS ACHIEVED BY THOSE ASSEMBLIES, WE WHO BROADLY REPRESENT THE VARIOUS CONCERNED SECTORS AND CONSTITUENCIES OF EASTERN AND NORTHERN MINDANAO, TOGETHER WITH OUR ALLIES FROM OTHER PARTS OF MINDANAO, FROM BASILAN, THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO, AND FROM LUZON AND THE VISAYAS, HAVE COME TOGETHER IN BUTUAN CITY THIS 11TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2014, TO PROCLAIM OUR SUPPORT FOR AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMMEDIATE REALIZATION OF THE DECLARED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL.

WE COMMEND THE INITIATIVES OF THE TWO PREVIOUS ASSEMBLIES, EXPRESS FULL AND UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR THE LIPA DECLARATION—“AN URGENT CALL FOR NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION”—OF AUGUST 27, 2014 AND THE CEBU DECLARATION—“DEFINING THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION”—OF OCTOBER 1, 2014, AND BIND OURSELVES TO UNDERTAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO HELP BRING THEM TO FRUITION.

GATHERED HERE IN BUTUAN SO CLOSE TO THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF SUPER TYPHOON HAIYAN/YOLANDA, WHICH FLATTENED TACLOBAN CITY AND DEVASTATED MUCH OF THE VISAYAS AND THE CALAMIANES ON NOVEMBER 8, 2013, AND THE 7.2 EARTHQUAKE THAT EARLIER DESTROYED CENTURIES-OLD CHURCHES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND HOMES IN CEBU AND BOHOL ON OCTOBER 15, 2013, AND ON THE EVE OF THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE FLOODS THAT KILLED AND INJURED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, AND DISPLACED THOUSANDS PARTICULARLY IN DAVAO ORIENTAL AND COMPOSTELA VALLEY ON DECEMBER 4, 2012, AND SHARING THE SUFFERING OF THE VICTIMS OF THESE TRAGEDIES AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE WAITED IN VAIN FOR ADEQUATE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IN THEIR RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION, WE RAISE OUR VOICES IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF THESE COMMUNITIES TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO CAME TO THEIR AID AND COMFORT DURING THEIR HOUR OF GREATEST NEED, AND TO EXPRESS GRAVE DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE WAY THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO RESPOND ADEQUATELY TO THESE CRISES.

WE JOIN THE PEOPLE OF TACLOBAN, THE VISAYAS, AND THE CALAMIANES IN DEMANDING A FULL AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTING OF THE MONEY AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE, WHICH THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, MULTILATERAL INSTITUTIONS, AND OTHER DONORS, AND HOW, WHERE AND WHEN THEY WERE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE VICTIMS.

AT THIS TIME OF SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINDANAO, WE EXPRESS GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE CAVALIER WAY THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION HAS TREATED THE “MINDANAO PROBLEM.” WE ARE DETERMINED TO FIND A JUST AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, ONE THAT WILL BRING ABOUT TRUE AND LASTING PEACE, AND A RADICAL CHANGE FOR THE BETTER IN THE LIVES OF ALL OUR PEOPLE.

WITH GREAT SADNESS, HOWEVER, WE MUST SAY THAT THE PROPOSED BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW (BBL), NOW PENDING IN CONGRESS, IS NOT THE FRUIT OF HONEST AND SINCERE CONSULTATIONS WITH OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND THEIR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

THIS THREATENS TO FALSIFY OUR PEOPLE’S DEEPEST LONGING FOR GENUINE SELF-MANAGEMENT OF THEIR OWN AFFAIRS, AND INSTEAD TO CREATE NEW DIVISIONS, DISUNITY AND DISCONTENT, BOTH AMONG THOSE WHO ARE PART AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT PART OF THE NEW ENTITY TO BE CREATED UNDER THE BBL.

WE THEREFORE ASK THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO INTENSIFY GENUINE CONSULTATIONS WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN ORDER TO COME UP WITH A REAL SOLUTION COMING FROM THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES RATHER THAN FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES.

WE SPECIFICALLY ASK THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ADVANCING THE FEDERALIZATION AGENDA FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AS THE ULTIMATE MEASURE TO ENSURE THE MOST EQUITABLE, SIMULTANEOUS EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALL THE REGIONS, AND NOT JUST OF THOSE IN MINDANAO ALONE.

AS CONTINUED HOSTAGE-TAKING FOR RANSOM AND OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES BY THE ABU SAYYAF GROUP IN THE SULU-SIPADAN AREA THREATEN TO TURN OUR REGION INTO AN UGLY COUNTERPART OF SOMALIA, THE HOME COUNTRY OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS PERPETRATORS OF PIRACY AND KIDNAPPING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND THE HORN OF AFRICA, WE CALL UPON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO DEMAND A CREATIVE APPROACH TO THIS PROBLEM THAT WILL DRAW THE VARIOUS GROUPS INVOLVED IN THESE ACTIVITIES INTO LAWFUL AND LUCRATIVE PURSUITS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE VARIOUS COMMUNITIES IN THE AREA.

AS THE WORSENING ENERGY SITUATION THREATENS TO THROW MINDANAO BACK INTO A NEW DARK AGE, WE LIKEWISE CALL UPON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO INTERVENE AND DEMAND A SOLEMN COMMITMENT FROM THE AQUINO REGIME THAT IT WILL PUT AN END TO MONOPOLIST ACTIVITIES WHICH IS TRYING TO SEIZE CONTROL OF POWER DISTRIBUTION IN MINDANAO AND BEYOND, THROUGH THE USE OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE, INTIMIDATION AND FORCE.

IN DIRECT RELATION TO THE FOREGOING PROBLEM, WE MANIFEST OUR SOLIDARITY WITH THE MILLIONS OF MEMBER-CONSUMERS OF AUTHENTIC ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, WHOSE RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP BY VIRTUE OF THEIR CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION ARE BEING IGNORED AND VIOLATED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO ACT TO PROTECT SOME BIG BUSINESSES RATHER THAN THE PEOPLE’S INTEREST. THE ACTUATIONS OF THIS REGIME’S OFFICIALS SHOW THEIR CONTEMPT FOR THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT AND THE LATTER’S FUNCTION OF CORRECTING SOCIAL INEQUITY, PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND ENABLING THEIR MILLIONS OF MEMBERS TO ATTAIN SUSTAINABILITY IN THEIR ENDEAVOR TO ENJOY THE BASIC LIFE-BLESSINGS THAT MAKE FOR A DIGNIFIED LIFE OF FRUGAL COMFORT.

IN THE FACE OF THE EVIDENT INCREASINGLY SEVERE DETERIORATION OF THE MORAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY, WE CALL UPON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO SPEED UP ITS EFFORT TO COMPEL PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO 3RD TO RELINQUISH HIS POSITION, SO THAT THE EARNEST WORK OF NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COULD BEGIN. MORE THAN EVER, WE BELIEVE THAT PEACE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE COUNTRY MUST BEGIN IN MINDANAO.

DONE IN THE CITY OF BUTUAN, THIS 11TH DAY OF NOVEMBER A.D. 2014 / 18th DAY OF MUHARRAM A.H. 1436.