Unquestionably, our problem is the economy. Millions struggle to survive in the squalid underside of Philippine society, arguably the result of a system that allocates the bigger slice of the economic pie to the relatively few owners of land and capital. This must, therefore, change if the bigger number of people are to get their rightful share and thus improve the quality of their lives.
Yet, we have endured this economic system ever since. How then explain why nothing has been done to reform or replace it so it does a better job of channeling “the greater good to the bigger number?”
The answer is failed politics. Our dynasty-dominated political system explains why no basic changes have been done so the economy distributes its benefits fairly or equitably. The system does not guarantee the formation of a genuine farmer-worker political party. Nor do entrenched politicians lift a finger to help form it. Hence, only the rich can run and win in our cash-denominated elections, have a voice in government and the power to thwart any attempt to change an economic system that is biased in their favor.
Thus, although our failed economy is the cause of the poverty of millions, ultimately our problem is failed politics. Entrenched dynasty politicians have never shown any interest in restructuring the economy and get it to provide “the greater good to the bigger number” while the poor have always been voiceless, powerless, to work for basic reforms in our un-egalitarian system.
It’s not the economy; it’s entrenched politics that is the elephant in the room. For it to be removed or cut to size, charter change must not be left to the devices of a constituent assembly as its members represent the interests of the land- and business-owning class that is happy with merely growing the current economic system. At the very least, charter change must be done by a constitutional convention of proportionately allocated sectoral representatives elected by the people. Every effort must be expended to ensure that the new charter truly represents the dreams and aspirations of all sectors of Philippine society.
For charter change to be done by a constituent assembly and for it to introduce only economic changes, as Sen. Robin Padilla assures, is to guarantee failure. Instead of removing it or cutting it down to size, a constituent assembly, the voice of the elite, will merely be dancing around the elephant in the room.
On Edsa day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered to reconcile with Filipinos and asked them to unite with him in working for a better society. But as explained above this is not possible in the current political setup he sits on top of. We need instead to unite in setting up a political system that gives the farmer, worker and fisher folk sectors the voice and power to influence economic policies. Only just and egalitarian systems can lead us to a better society.