THIS is a reaction to Mr. Orlando Carvajal’s column, “Rev Gov,” which saw print on SunStar Cebu’s Sept. 14, 2018 issue.
He wrote that the democratic republic of the Philippines is only “form and theory.”
Mr. Carvajal further said that the country is ruled by oligarchs.
Then, he mentioned that federalism can help established a democratic republic. But he did not elaborate on his pronouncements.
I pray that in his future columns he can discuss the reasons why federalism is his basis that a truly democratic republic can be realized rather than just being a “form and theory.”
I believe he has deep knowledge on political philosophies and world history as he brought up the storming of Bastille, which was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution; in overthrowing the absolute monarchy; in stripping the privileges from the nobles.
He also tackled the last Greek monarch King Constantine II, who went into exile after the Greeks decided that they are better off with their country being a republic. In the column, he wrote that referendum to abolish monarchy in Greece was “recent.” But, Sir, it happened in 1973. I don’t know if that is “recent.” Well, as they say, time is relative.
Mr. Carvajal speculated that the oligarchs might take up arms if revolutionary government is established to usher in federalism. This confused me.
How can the present administration, which has an authoritarian bent, put in place a revolutionary government? Will the President revolt against himself? Or revolt against the oligarchs? Does he have to establish a revolutionary government to get rid of the oligarchs?
Will the oligarchs easily go away if the Philippines is already a federal republic? Will the traditional politicians, who are mostly rich, disappear in an instant after a shift to federal form of government?
Mr. Carvajal, I hope, should not talk in general terms. I am no oligarch, but do please explain how the oligarchs run the country.
Democracy is not the problem. The problem is with the people who undermine it and who think it is not functioning.
The problem is with the voters who sold their power to elect competent representatives in government for a few pesos. Voting is an exercise by the sovereign people, but for some elections are just an opportunity to earn easy money.
Can federalism fix the perennial problem on vote buying?
Federalism cannot fix democracy if the Chief Executive right now is committing unconstitutional maneuvers (i.e. deposing former Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno not through impeachment) in our unitary democratic republic). - Sal Secretaria