Domoguen: Community and nation building

INDEED, it takes a lot of growing before the tree reaches the sky. And yes, it takes years to grow a child, in the same token that it takes time for a community and nation, to know and understand their Constitution.

Some may not care at all and would not have any sense about what the Constitution is all about. Take any 10 Filipinos on the street and asked them if they have any idea about the Preamble of the Philippine Constitution? Would they even know what the Constitution is and how it affects them?

And now here comes the proposed shift to federalism from a unitary form of government, and Mocha Uson’s “i-pepe-i-dede-pederalismo” video material, supposedly to promote it. What do the framers of the proposed federal constitution say? And the public?

Before we proceed, let me be clear about how I appreciate this government’s initiative to change the Revolutionary Constitution of this Republic if it will encourage the majority of its citizens to have a basic knowledge of their Constitution and the form of government that rules over them.

That essentially highlights, in my view, what the framers of the Federal Constitution want. That we all encourage an enlightened discussion of the pros and cons of a unitary versus a federal form of government; and to compare the Revolutionary Constitution (current) vs. the proposed Bayanihan Constitution (federal). This is not just a simple matter or contest between “you against us” but an opportunity for enlightenment and participation to choose what laws must govern us, and the form of governance that should deliberate and/or enforce laws that directly affects their lives. Ultimately, the electorate can wisely decide what a good government for them is.

Meanwhile, in spite of the Congressional campaign for federalism, and also the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the public overwhelmingly rejects it for now. That is if the latest social weather surveys done on this national concern is to be believed. Shall we act out of desperation to change what the surveys tell us?

Definitely not! When it comes to the Constitution, the form of government, quality existence and the future of their children, the Filipino public must really know and understand what it is rejecting or agreeing to. No, we do not need Mocha to inform and educate us, if all she does is to enrich the discussion with “bullshit,” as one Senator said.

We need people who understand governance, Philippine history, lawyers, development workers, housewives, drivers, actors, actresses, anyone, Filipinos even Mocha, who have read and understood the Revolutionary and/or the Bayanihan Constitution to speak up and debate the issues wisely.

Obviously, that takes time and effort. Meanwhile, like what it did for the Bangsamoro Law, we are awaiting the national government to also pass the House Bill No. 5343 or “An Act Establishing the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera” signed by all CAR congressmen.

If it was any good sign, I just congratulated our Regional Development Council-Cordillera (RDC-CAR), and the National Economic Development Authority-Cordillera, (Neda-CAR), Cordillera Governors, Vice Governors, LGU officials, non-government organization (NGO) representatives and others for their presence and support to the successful staging of the Cordillera Autonomy Leaders’ Forum with members of the Upper House in Manila last August 11, 2018.

The meeting is organized by OPAPP, the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG), and the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) in coordination with the RDC-CAR and the Neda-CAR. The meeting, according to the NEDA-CAR “seeks to inform the Senators of the unity of the Cordilleran people in their quest for self-determination, communicate to them the pressing need for autonomy in the region, and receive their support as Cordillera autonomy champions.”

Listening to the live telecast of the meeting, I heard five senators are supporting the early passage of the bill for an Autonomous Region in the Cordillera (ARC). They are Sen. Koko Pimentel, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, and Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV.

Vice Governor James Edduba of Kalinga Province, said that “the Cordillera Autonomy Leaders’ Forum at the Century Park Hotel, Manila was a success.” It was able to secure the support of the Senators I have mentioned above, actually, four of them except Sen. Angara already filed separate bills for an autonomous region in the Cordillera.

As expected, Secretary Jess Dureza of OPPAP expressed his support so with Usec Antonio Gallardo and Sec Adelino Sitoy of Presidential Legislative Liaison Office who promised to work out the endorsement of an autonomous bill for the Cordillera as administration priority bill by President Rodrigo Duterte. Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority administrator and CEO, Atty Raul Lambino, was also present and volunteered to facilitate support from the Office of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for the bill in the lower house.

Prior to the speeches of the Senators and other guests, Neda-CAR Director Milagros Rimando, presented a report on the ongoing activities to educate the region’s populace on the quest for autonomy in the Cordillera.

RDC-CAR and PPOC-CAR Chair, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan of Baguio City informed the gathering that the ARC quest is for the people of the Cordillera, and for their children and their children’s children.

This is a quest for community and nation building.

It is not curtains yet for Cordillera autonomy, whether we have it or not, but those who sought it from the start, more than 31 years ago, and those who continue to make it a reality, along with their friends are certainly not clowns.

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