A Cabinet superbody or a counterbalance? - Gotcha

About 100 next-generation leaders will gather at Clark Field next week for a forum on what RP will be like in the 21st century. Convergence in the Millennium will strive to forecast what Philippines will emerge from the present Asian crisis, the effects of globalization on industrialists and entrepreneurs, opportunities from knowledge-based technologies, if brain drain and OFW exodus will go on, and if skills training will finally meet job demands. Participants are young politicians and leaders of business, infotech, media, arts and academe who are under 50 years old.

He doesn't like being told what to do, more so if unsolicited advice is given in public. That's why Joseph Estrada mechanically pooh-poohed industrialist Raul Concepcion's suggestion that he appoint an economic czar. Insisting the economy is doing well and muttering "mag-Presidente muna siya" under his breath, Estrada then proceeded to form a Cabinet executive committee that Malaca±ang billed as an economic supercouncil.

The group will consist of Bangko Sentral Gov. Rafael Buenaventura, Economic Planning Secretary Felipe Medalla, Agriculture Secretary Ed Angara, incoming Finance Secretary Jose Pardo, and soon-to-be-named Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas. One-time Cabinet favorite Ed Espiritu is out, having resigned in a fit of pique with Palace intriguers just when Estrada was himself in a foul mood because of fallen poll ratings.

Administration propagandists seem confused about the group's role. A Malacañang official said it will put five agencies under a "mighty body" that will hammer out economic policies. Another tried to downplay expectations by saying it will merely synchronize economic programs, thus its formal name, Economic Coordinating Council.

Weeks ago, however, Pardo had described the body as an executive committee that will guide the Cabinet itself, much like a corporate execom leads the bigger board of directors. A small group can discuss issues better than a large Cabinet session, he explained. But a LAMP congressman sneered that it's no different from the Cabinet cluster on the economy during Cory Aquino's time. No, this is different, a Malacañang aide butted in, for the President himself will head the supercouncil-execom.

Espiritu, who was supposed sit in the group had he stayed on, seemed to agree with the last interpretation but not with the plan itself.

A lawyer by training, Espiritu said the superbody's creation would be unfair to other Cabinet members who will not be included. The Cabinet, after all, is defined in the Administrative Code. Still, the President has power to form committees to help him with his chief executive job.

The execom concept is not new (as explained in an earlier column). Suleiman the Magnificent had it in the form of court advisers. After conquering a new land for the Ottoman Empire, he would recall the strategist-general to the capital, and dispatch a vizier or governor. Machiavelli had prescribed it in The Prince. He differentiated strategic thinkers from implementing administrators.

US presidents preside over daily execom meetings with the Vice President, White House chief of staff, Secretary of State, and National Security Adviser. After the President makes a decision, the chief of staff mobilizes Cabinet members concerned, the Secretary of State transforms it into foreign initiative, the Security Adviser looks after defense and military matters, and the Vice President coordinates with Congress.

Estrada's execom is purely economic in nature. It does not include Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora, with whom Pardo is feuding on policy and Angara on politics. Vice President Gloria Macapagal is not in, simply because she's not a LAMP partymate. National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre and Presidential Management Staff chief Leni de Jesus are out, too.

Strange, because Estrada's supposed economic goals are food security and housing -- matters that fall, respectively, under Aguirre in the administration's definition of national security, and De Jesus as concurrent housing chief.

So Malacañang watchers are wondering if the supercouncil is just a glorified Cabinet cluster or a another divide-and-rule body that Estrada needs to balance the many feuding factions in his administration.

INTERACTION. Brian Fox, clara.net: "I'm British, spend half my time professionally in RP, have great respect for Filipinos. Regarding your columns on cronyism, it's inevitable in your system. An innate village-chief culture applied at national level in a presidential system means that no amount of tinkering will solve the problem. It's better to have a parliament, with the prime and other ministers holding executive power. P.S.: In passing Cha-cha, I hope Filipinos will not be allowed to buy residential property abroad. That way our land prices in London will not drive local folk out of the market as proceeds of cronyism flood my country."

Tough luck, Brian, they've already bought.

GSM, sms.smart.com: "Local execs put Sen. John Osmeña where he is now-only to be deprived of their IRAs. Beware, beloved Erap."

No permanent friends, GSM, only permanent interests.

Joey Legarda, Makati: "Finding out that Erap's New Year resolution is same as last year was bad enough. I almost fell off the chair finding out that it's merely cutting weight and smoking. Nothing to do with the prestige of the Presidency, the voice of the people, or his work."

Like his masa, you expect too much, Joey.

Mon Sagullo, Quezon: "What do you think is a less painful way to kill RP: return of the Marcoses, reign of Joma, or rise of Erap's cronies?"

Not much choice, huh, Mon?

Rodolfo Fermin, msn.com: "My wife was watching Touched By An Angel on TV while I was reading your column, when I overheard the lead character ask, `If pro is the opposite of con, what is the opposite of progress?'"

That night, Rodolfo, did you sup on pork and a barrel of beer?

Thank you, Mon Arcenas, Albert Aguirre, Wilson Y. Lee Flores, Jose A. Syjuco Jr., Bobbit Mathay, Rey Gamboa, Chupsie Medina, Serge Guillaume, Milet Belicena, Elpi Cuna, Cd1081.

Criminal Investigation Division head Lucas Managuelod has his hands full helping new PNP chief Panfilo Lacson cleaning up the force. Hardly had he finished investigating mulcters and officers with stolen cars when Lacson ordered him to sue officers who sold 540,000 liters of gasoline to civilians.

Lacson trusts Managuelod because they're alike in being quick to discipline erring subordinates. Managuelod trimmed the CID of 400 excess personnel, and suspended commissioned officers to tell everybody he meant business.

Firecracker and bullet casualties increased by 41 percent in the New Year revelry from last year's-not 25 percent as earlier reported. Will we never learn?

OUR WORLD. To ensure safe water into the next century, CNN reports, people must first look to agriculture, which uses two-thirds of all water taken from rivers, lakes and aquifers. Most of the world's farmers irrigate the way their ancestors did 5,000 years ago, flooding their fields, losing most of the water meant to benefit crops. Israel has developed drip-irrigation that is 95 percent efficient. Half the country's farmers use it; so do some in Southern California. But it's an expensive technique-for now.

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