The return of the native

The headline about Filipinos who wish to leave is but part of the story. There are also Filipinos who want to stay and resolve to stay despite opportunities abroad because duty beckons them. But an even more important part that must not be overlooked is about Filipinos who return. They have come from abroad, some of them having been spectacularly successful in other countries more hospitable to talent than the Philippines but they return to still the terrible aching of the heart for home. This is not to say that the Pulse Asia poll can be ignored. It is telling us that we cannot continue with the same old system which has given rise to such unacceptable discontent or we will pay the ultimate price for neglect and indifference. OFWs whose right to vote has been jeopardized by the Senate brawl now plan to come home and vote to bypass the enabling act requirement of the 1987 Constitution.

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If the country is in difficulties, it is not for want of Filipinos who want to make a difference. There are patriots who want change and are working for change. The problem is leadership, the kind of leadership that can inspire Filipinos to muster the courage and make sacrifices for the collective effort to bring about a better nation. If that leadership has eluded us, then it may be time for us to look into ourselves and ask what we can do.

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This column has pointed to the direction of a new constitution that would enable the country to shift to a unicameral parliamentary federal government as the way out of the political mess. The new Constitution will not of itself bring about a miracle. What it will do is change the framework of governance that will minimize such problems as our manner of election that are nothing more than expensive popularity contests and gridlock that has brought us to the brink with the present senate imbroglio.

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The late Dr. Pablo Tangco who was considered an expert on parliamentary government listed the following benefits: cleaner elections, stronger and more effective government, more responsible and stable government, consistency and continuity of economic policies, strength and cohesion of political parties through the control of chief executive, devolution of political power to the people, strengthening of the bureaucracy, politicization of the people, promotion of social justice and enhancement of values and national discipline. Moreover, the act of constitution making which would review how we have fared under the present presidential system and corrupting popular elections may the spark plug necessary to bring about real reforms in government instead of declarations and promises from elected officials.

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Return the Rizals to Calamba . A few years back when we were publishing REPUBLIKA, a newspaper dedicated to 42,000 barangays, the barangay council of the neighborhood where the Rizal home was located, passed a resolution to endeavor to return the Rizals to Calamba. For that issue our cover was Mrs. Carmen Consunji (a daughter of Narcisa Lopez-Rizal who was Rizal’s favorite sister) who is a member of the vast Rizal clan. Perhaps it is fitting that with the debate on whether Filipinos should leave, stay or return we turn to this unfinished business of returning the Rizals to Calamba.

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Nick Joaquin writes in his book, Rizal in Saga, that in 1888 Calamba was rocked by land troubles. "The town’s principal families, headed by the Mercados, refused to pay the increased dues demanded by the hacienda. Their houses were ordered demolished. Don Francisco abandoned his fine house on Calle Real and took his family to live in Manila. The house was unroofed by the Guardia Civil and left to the mercy of the elements. As the years passed, it crumbled to ruin. Scavengers looted the woodwork and the stone until nothing at all was left of the house or of the proud wall around it."

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The people of Calamba are unhappy that most of them cannot answer questions from tourists who visit the Rizal shrine in Calamba and ask ‘whatever happened to the Rizals?’. If this is where he lived and grew up as a child where are his kin? Shouldn’t they be living here and giving witness to his legacy?

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But as Joaquin narrates, it may well have been that Rizal’s martyrdom had sacrificed not just his life but also the well-being of his entire family, even those who did not understand his politics. Joaquin describes this family tragedy: "Sensational had been the rise of the Mercados, within a generation, to the topmost rank of Calamba society, though they were newcomers to Calamba. Their fall was equally stunning. The doom that pursued them was to shatter their great house. The fate of the family as a whole has been overshadowed by the fate of its greatest son: but one can say that Rizal’s martyrdom was merely part (or perhaps the climax) of the family tragedy, a tragedy already in its third act when he set his fatal pen to paper. Like all families with a destiny, the Mercados seemed, from the start, marked out for greatness — and disaster; for glory — and doom.

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Now more than a century later, we may yet see the return of the Rizals to Calamba. This is a project I have personally undertaken because I think it would be a powerful historical symbol for Filipinos who would opt to return to the homeland.

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Dialogue: Filipinos overseas are so angry with the Senate coup which jeopardized the approval of the Absentee Voting Bill by a legitimate Senate, they are turning to other ways to push it through . In an exchange of letters in the OFW-Vote Net sent to this column they are now thinking of making a dramatic return home for May 2004 elections. I am printing the letters as they appeared in my e-mail so readers can get a measure of their determination to make a difference so that this country can move forward. It isn’t just that Filipinos are leaving to show their hopelessness about the Philippines, overseas Filipinos are also returning to assert their right to vote which has been waylaid by the senate coup.

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Dear Ka Edong and Sir Joe :

Bravo! You hit it guys! Brilliant! I have been watching your exchanges, I admire everyone of you out there who took part in these discussions, but the last two exchanges between Joe and Ka Edong I find the most feasible. It is the most brilliant idea ever conceived on how OFWs can/should vote! Go home to Vote!

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Ka Edong, on the matter of ABSENTEE REGISTRATION I am sure we could do this at our respective Embassies and Consulates/even by mail, forms should be available at consulates/embassies/representative offices. 2004 is a long way - OFWs should be able to register in a span of 2 years... May 2004 Elections....OFWs TO GO HOME TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS! Dear countrymen let us support this possibility, spread it around to our other kababayans where you are and start planning to make this a reality! Let us put this idea out soon so that everyone can start thinking and planning.

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In Singapore, during the AV Caucus, we brought out and discussed Internet Voting which was found not feasible due to technicalities and huge expenses; our votes being counted at the place where we vote? not possible either for many reasons. Now that you came out with the idea of OFWs coming home on discounted airfares with a minimum donation of ($20+-) to pay for advertisements and other expenses, I find this the best solution. I am sure PAL and other airlines – where OFWs are — will not deny their help of discounted fares – and will now start thinking about this event– considering the advantages they will get for free by way of press exposure internationally; TV news and broacasts, advertisements, announcements, etc I hope these airlines will grab this exposure opportunity of being part of this event. You see now? Thorough discussions and healthy varied exchange of views result in finding ways to solve problems. Go for it Gentlemen, Thank you! Congratulations and Godspeed!From: Tita Ophie/Offie/Tita OFWNet, NL, Singapore, Philippines

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Another message from : "Eddie del Rosario" <[email protected]>

To: <[email protected]>Subject: Re: [OFW-Vote] OFW To Go Home and Vote. Now you’re talking Joe. Saludo ako sa "matigas ang ulo" (no offense) when it comes to pushing for something one is totally commited to (huwag lang illegal). This is really thinking out of the box. I’ll try to help out by looking for charter companies. Remember now, there are limitations such as which countries we are targetting. I’m assuming that U.S. and Canada as well as the Middle Eastern countries are likely candidates to attract the 250K target population. Another assumption: these folks would’ve been registered to vote or will make sure to be registered for the May 2004 presidential election. Does anybody know kung mayroong absentee registration at present? Just curious. May 2004, here we come!

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Ka Edong, You’re right, it would be impractical to move all those numbers. However, you may want to float the idea around. It could still attract attention. Or, if you downsize the numbers to 250,000, that is still a large number by itself, it may still be possible. A Jumbo Jet (3 rows of seating arrangement) can accomodate 500 passengers, and thus can move 250,000 passengers over a period of ten days (usual vacation period), or exactly 50 flights in ten days, or 5 flights a day. Is that more achievable? Of course it can be done. In fact, there could even be a significant benefit for the travelers, as a substantial discount may be negotiated. What do you think would happen if you required an open bidding to the major airlines traveling to RP? What would ensue? I believe that you would receive a positive answer very quickly.

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In any case, for any cause, or dream if you will, a project that seems impossible to attain but publicized extensively would often create more attention compared to sending e-mails, which appear not to have resolve the desired objective of the OFW movement. Imagine the headlines on major newspapers around the world about "Filipino Overseas Workers Going Home in Large Numbers to exercise their right of Suffrage and fight for Absentee Voting." Imagine the possibilities if the OFW-Vote Group can convince 250,000 members all over the world to go home. I would expect then that each traveller, if a large discount has been contracted for their behalf, would be willing to donate $20 for advertising expenses in Manila. That’s $5,000,000 or approximately 250,000,000 pesos(depending on the exchange rate by then) for lobbying expenses and should leave an adequate reserve for future operating expenses for the OFW-Vote Movement, and for an OFW convention in Manila.

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I’ve sent e-mails of inquiry to major Airlines, including PAL, to find out if moving 250,000 passengers in 10 days is feasible. I will let you know of any feedback. I do not give up on an idea until is totally proven unachievable. Joe

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An EDSA3 to abolish the Senate. While OFWs are thinking of coming home to vote for elections, others are too impatient even for a constituent assembly that this columnhas proposed to fast track changing the Constitution that may make even the presidential election in 2004 moot and academic. Mark Ian A.Ignacio wrote: The convening of a Constituent Assembly in order to effect changes, like the abolition of the Senate, is a long and tedious process. But we can resort to this process later. In the meantime, a better and faster alternative is going to the streets like what we did in Edsa 1 and 2. This will have an immediate impact and will draw public support. Let the congressman who made the suggestion to abolish the Senate lead the ‘Abolish the Senate Movement’ There can be no better time than now when there exist a deadlock at 12-12, and there are pronouncements and indications that nobody will give in. How long will it take to resolve this crisis? How long will the people suffer in shame due to arrogance of the dirty dozen Senators?

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Batting for federal government to preserve Kapampangan language and culture. Letter of thanks from Manuel Lino G Faelnar wrote: I am at a loss for words how to thank you for publishing my email in your column last Thursday, June 20. People certainly noticed it. I even received email from another Filipino group in the United States which finds DILA’s cause to be noble and would like to support it, and has offered to publish any articles we might contribute.

Our inspiration is the successful struggle of the Welsh and Catalan peoples to have their respective languages recognized and promoted. Indeed Welsh is now an official language alongside English in Wales and Catalan is an official language alongside Castillian in North-eastern Spain. Further, both languages are taught in the schools as part of the curriculum, and are even used as media of instruction.

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Seminar on China-ASEAN relations. The President Disodado Macapagal Chair for Governance and Development of the University of Asia and the Pacific I cooperation with the Center for Research and Communication and with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation is holding a seminar on China-ASEAN relations entitled China-ASEAN Reltations Boor or Bane today at the Mahogany Room of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel from 8.00 am to 1.30 pm. Dr. Reuben Mondejar of the City State University of Hongkong is the guest speaker.

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My email is [email protected] or [email protected].