Wednesday, March 05, 2008 Carvajal: A case for federalism By Orlando P. Carvajal Break Point
AT the core of morality is truth. Hence, when the bishops decided to pursue truth through constitutional means, they really acted as moral guardians as expected of them. People should moreover know that there are those of us who think the late Cardinal Sin’s call for people power was not the act of a moral authority but of a politically astute person with a great sense of timing.
Cardinal Sin was not the tipping point as some think the bishops would likewise be if they made the same call for people power. Cardinal Sin simply recognized that the tipping point has been reached and he did his very political thing at a crucial moment (tipping point?) in the people’s movement for freedom when he could not go wrong with an overtly political act.
People also forget that the late cardinal never called on the people to oppose the Marcos regime. The people opposed Ferdinand Marcos without the Church who, under Sin’s leadership, chose the path of critical collaboration. Cardinal Sin simply asked the people to protect then Gen. Fidel Ramos, then defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile and Gringo Honasan. What was moral about that when he jumped into the people’s bandwagon at the last minute?
There is no question that we need a change of government, but I have to agree with those who want to do it through constitutional means, if only for one reason. People power, except for the first one, is really only Manila power. Manila people tell us the people want President Arroyo to resign but they could only get 30,000 people to join their protest. They refuse to notice how so few are taking to the streets in the provinces.
The whole issue showcases again the imperialism of Manila. Even media giants in Manila act like they speak for the whole Philippines. They ask political analysts from leading schools in Manila. They interview leading Manila personalities when they have the technology and resources to touch base with political scientists in the provinces.
People are not responding to Manila’s call for people power because they are tired of the latter’s patronizing attitude towards them. They want Manila’s attention to their problems and hate being used for its power struggle. This whole incident, therefore, builds a strong case for federalism, for provincial or regional autonomy so Manila does not drag the rest of the country down with its endless political infighting.
If we cannot be autonomous officially, we can be in practice. Cebu, for instance, must strive to develop its local media and give media giants of Manila a run for their money and arrogance. We are already ahead of Manila in economic growth. We must grow more economically autonomous so Manila (which is not the Philippines) will be forced to respect us “probinsyanos.”
