100 years of the Nacionalista Party and critical collaboration

100 years ago, when Quezon saw fit to establish a political party that would test the American colonial ruler’s sincerity in allocating democratic space for electoral and political party building exercises, the leadership of the nascent party was one in choosing Apolinario Mabini as the image model of the party. Mabini had never given up to American rule and had to be exiled to Guam where his deteriorating health would eventually worsen and cost him his life. But his country was almost foremost in his mind — “ANG BAYAN HIGIT SA LAHAT”. When the Nacionalista Party launched its battle cry of immediate, absolute and complete Independence, it was a radical aspiration — a far cry from the assimilation that the more established Federalista Party espoused. Having been through the bloody war of liberation against the American Armed Forces with some figures stating that as much as 1/6th of our population had been decimated, the leaders of the Nacionalista Party were prepared to go the non-violent route offered by the US. Freedom of speech and assembly, local and regional elections, increasing participation in governance in all branches of Government.

Thus would begin a practically lifelong practice of the Party, one of Critical Collaboration.       

Critical collaboration simply meant that the party would go all out whenever the ruling Government; be it headed by an American Governor General, a Philippine Senate President and Speaker, a Philippine Commonwealth President, a Philippine President propped up by the Japanese — whoever and whatever the situation dictated, if it be for the overall good of the country. Quezon summed it up as the “greater good for the greatest number”. Ang Bayan Higit sa Lahat.       

As the Nacionalista Party celebrates its 100th anniversary, it should do well to stand firmly in support of this Government when we see that efforts to bash it are merely propelled by the over ambitious egos of some who are wishing that they already were in charge of the reigns of Government. When recently installed LP President Mar Roxas compared the present Government to the long night of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, I do not seem to remember Mr. Roxas at the forefront of any activity to oust or reform the Marcos Government. Perhaps the long night he was referring to was the all night drinking sessions he would have with good friend Bong Bong Marcos, which would continue to the wee hours of the morning and end up with a light sparring bout in the Malacañang Gym for exercise, before settling down to a champagne breakfast.       

The Nacionalista party has always been in the business of country building. And so we must praise any and all achievements and efforts by the present Government to uplift the lives of our people. More than that, we should give it all our support. But when we see that the Government may not have the long view or big picture, let us criticize, by offering alternatives to the ongoing process of nation building. Quezon said: “We must love our country, live for it and if necessary die for it. It is the only nation God has given us”. Ang Bayan Higit sa Lahat.