A war we can win

IT'S a good thing that the discord between the USA and the Philippines is only on account of a member of the Philippine Senate that had been indicted for her involvement in big-time drug trade inside a state penitentiary who the American legislators want to be freed. The other character is a tax dodger journalist with dual (FilAm) citizenship who unbridledly lies about the Philippines but is awarded laurels in America. Three American senators banned Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and several other government officials and bloggers from entering the American territory. They believed that the duo are being subjected to political persecution and curtailment of freedom.

Had it been on account of oil, as in the case of Iran, the detainee and the other character who had described the Philippines in a war situation would have been reason enough for the US to intrude into the Philippine territory. For now, the US legislators arrogantly demonstrate their high handedness by giving us a tender rap on the knuckles. They have maintained their belief that Sen. Leila de Lima is being detained for her expose’ of alleged extra-judicial killings (EJK) perpetrated by the Davao Death Squads and that Maria Ressa’s story that she is being deprived of her press freedom is on account of her critical views against Duterte. Both claims are nebulous, fallacious and self-serving. The trial court, to include the Supreme Court, found a preponderance of evidence against de Lima while Ressa admitted having received foreign investment on her Rappler from Omidyar Network which is blatantly against the law. That, including her tax evasion case however never curtailed her freedom to write and her tongue to wag in local and foreign forums.

For now, however, forget de Lima and Ressa. They have become inconsequential characters against the backdrop of what seemly is an irreconcilable feud between the US and Iran.

The looming Armageddon brought about by the killing of Iran’s top military commander Qassem Soliemani is not sparing the Philippines of its consequence. The fate of thousands of overseas Filipino workers gingerly hangs on the edge despite the government’s precautionary measures to respond to emergencies. Expect the prices of fuel and oil to spike.

Nothing can the Philippines do to avert the clash of the titans. But there are opportunities that can spring from the crises. Just to be pragmatic about it, the government, through the initiatives which had already been started, should pursue the joint exploration project between China and the Philippines of our oil resources in the West Philippine Sea and Jolo Sea. The 60/40 sharing arrangement in our favor in the case of WPS is an offer in a silver platter. There are immeasurable political gains too. Proceeds from this venture can fund our much-needed infrastructure projects and will reduce our dependence on foreign loans. That will also address Philippine's oil requirement. In addition to this oil resource is the unquantifiable natural gas deposits in the marshlands of Liguasan that straddles in the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat. Similar gas deposits had been found in Agusan del Sur.

In short, the Philippines is rich only that politics and dubious agenda of our politicians stand in the way to our journey to economic resiliency and development. As a people, we have consigned ourselves to mediocrity and ennui of “puede na” culture forgetting that just a bit of decisiveness and creativeness and integrity of our politicians and discipline and industry of the governed can easily catapult us to stardom!

Among the stupid arguments against Federalism, for example, is the issue that the poor provinces or regions will be poorer without the national capital region sharing its huge revenue resource. The blaring Truth is that the regions considered poorest today will be the richest with the shift.

Congress is now in the Federalism mode so Pres. Rodrigo Doterte can then rev the engine of change the full speed in getting that joint venture agreement with China and the shift to Federalism which is the centerpiece of his party platform when he ran for President. It will take time for these two major undertaking to gestate and bear fruits so he can set the motion of his presidency in an emergency mode. He can even hang on as President of a Revolutionary government with the acquiescence of the people who is tired of the status quo and want projects and programs done pronto.

Surely the middle east is in a flash point and warns us of dire consequences. These summon the specter not only of unconventional warfare among the adversaries but to the bystanders like us, the resultant conventional necessities. This gives substance to the adage that necessity is the mother of inventions. But we need not invent or explore for all we need is to extract and process. On the other hand Federalism had been debated on and discussed in many fora. We are prepared to decide. This is a conflict that we can decisively win.