Drums of war or sound of music?

Butch Bagabuyo

 “The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.” ––Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

WE all know that what our country needs urgently is a systemic change of governance. But because our Congress has become so callously greedy, they are now focused on changing kuno the old economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution believing in vain that “what they want, they get.” So instead of cracking their nuts on how to stop the drums of war from reaching our shores and changing them with the “sound of music,” the leadership of the Lower House is now counting the number of their likes in preparation for railroading “Con-as” and perpetuate their debilitating greed.

But God is good, He will lead the way.

In October of 2013, I wrote in this column, thus: “Had we adopted a constitution similar to that of Switzerland, which is one of the oldest constitutions in the world, the federal states of Mindanao would have already instituted either an initiative or a referendum. Of course, we also have initiative and referendum in our 1987 Constitution. But, believe you me, the elitists who drafted and crafted our constitution made sure that such direct people power on initiative and referendum are accordingly defanged, and, practically beyond the reach of the many who are poor.

“Under the Switzerland constitution, a group of citizens may challenge a law passed by Parliament (lower house and the upper house), if they gather a mere 50,000 signatures against any law within 100 days. Thereafter, a national vote would be scheduled where voters decide by a simple majority whether to accept or reject the law.

“As I’ve already written repeatedly, the graft and corruption cases in the Philippines are systemic; hence, no amount of palliatives––laws passed by Congress––can cure it. Only a constitutional convention based on demographics, not a ‘Con-as,’ can cure it.

“Slowly but surely, the poor people of Mindanao and the rest of the country are only waiting for the sound of music and a  Constitutional Convention will be sung all over the archipelago. Or the Independent Federal States of Mindanao will become a reality. Just you watch and see. A Mindanao of armed neutrality, of religious pluralism and equity between Capital and Labor, where profits and losses are equally shared by labor and capital. After all, both Capital and Labor equally need each other. Useless is Capital without Labor and vice versa!

“This is what we, Mindanaoans, have all been dreaming of for a lifetime. Is it not?”

• •

“The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression is should be our first object.”––President Thomas Jefferson, 1801

Among all the “presidentiables” of today, only Davao Mayor Rodrigo “Super Digong” Duterte, who has repeatedly denied presidential ambition, has the almost absolute respect of the Muslims, the Lumads and Christians combined. And if the poor people of Mindanao will adopt and put to heart and soul the traditional motto of Switzerland, “One for all, all for one,” then it cannot be denied that by May 9, 2016, Duterte will be President of the Philippines or the Federal Republic of Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan-Tawi-Tawi.

With Duterte at the helm, we can easily equal if not, surpass Switzerland.

Switzerland is only about the size of our northern Mindanao and the Davao region combined. But Switzerland has never been bullied by any Imperialist, and she has never been in a state of war since 1825. The only reason is because Switzerland has been an armed neutral country. And the only reason why Switzerland is practically unharmed in World Wars I and II is because of her international armed neutrality.

Today, Switzerland is “one of the richest countries in the world by per capita gross domestic products, and has the highest wealth per adult (financial and non-financial assets) of any country in the world.” (Franc’s rise puts Swiss top of rich list). How come, Switzerland, which is only about one-fourth the size of our Mindanao and a population of only about one third of our very own Mindanao sits on top of the world? Could it be that the Swiss refused to be bullied? I think so!

So what shall it be, Imperial Manila? Constitutional Convention simultaneously with the national and local elections or the Independent Federal States of Mindanao, armed neutral of religious pluralism and equity between Capital and Labor, where profits and losses are equally shared by labor and capital?

• •

“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can to do me.” –Psalms LVI. 11

Thank you Lord for everything. And Lord God, kindly teach our leaders to practice honesty and humility so they shall accept the truth that they are our servants and not our masters, and those who have less in life are their true rulers––the sovereign and very source of power and wealth. Finally, Lord, please make our leaders see the glaring light that greed is a flawed and fatal economic principle. Truly, there is more profit in giving than in taking. For it is in giving that we receive. Truly, love begets love. Amen!

(Call or text 09188030197, e-mail to bagabuyos@yahoo.com, and check out the blog iluvmindanao.net)