Many are wrong about the 'Visayas Republic' initiative

There is an ongoing very high profile initiative to create a so-called " Visayas Republic " that will ostensibly swing into place if ever President Arroyo is removed by a mob in Manila instead of by lawful process as prescribed by the Constitution.

By the looks of it, and judging by the sound and fury that attended its launching, the " Visayas Republic " initiative is serious stuff. Virtually all governors in the Visayas and a good number of mayors are for it. There is thunder and lightning shaking the heavens, so to speak.

The initiative has its counterpart in Mindanao, which also aims to break away as a new republic should the same political conditions arise. The idea was, in fact, born in Mindanao, hatched by Davao City's firebrand of a mayor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Both initiatives quickly gained adherents. And just as quickly, they got flogged and sneered at by critics. The funny thing is, many of both adherents and critics are getting the twin initiatives all wrong.

In the Visayas, those who likened the initiative to a move by at least three members of Congress from Cebu to convert their congressional districts into new provinces, which has since been derisively called "Sugbu-ak," cannot be more way off the mark.

The " Sugbu-ak " initiative is a desperate and ill-disguised ploy by three last-termer members of Congress - Simeon Kintanar, Antonio Yapha and Clavel Martinez - to preserve their political influence. " Sugbu-ak " and " Visayas Republic " are fruits of two different trees.

The truth of the matter is, the " Visayas Republic " initiative is just an emotional outburst given formal political trappings. It is a grandiose way of beating the breast, of throwing a fist toward the sky. It is a demand for just recognition.

To whatever limit the anguished gesture would go, and take with it those who rightly feel the anguish, it is a good initiative. It should be pursued to the level of utmost feasibility and there held back and kept in reserve, like an ace up the sleeve.

There may be those who honestly feel the fire burn in their hearts, but they are gravely wrong. Their patriotism is best put to better use in earnest endeavor to keep the country united and strong, not dismembered. Such energy is wisely harnessed moving the country in one direction.

The Philippines is our Philippines. No country can be more beautiful than she is. If there is something wrong with her, it is because of those who call themselves Filipinos whenever it is beneficial to do so.

We do not cut an arm or a leg from her on account of wounds inflicted by those who do not hesitate to enrich and entrench themselves, whatever it takes, at whatever cost to others. No, we do not touch the integrity of this country. But we can sever the heads of those who defiled her.

There are also those who see a good initiative but jump on board for entirely different reasons. These are the spineless opportunists who cannot be trusted. They are mistaken too. Given the notion of their commitment, they backed the wrong horse, they placed the wrong bet.

The " Visayas Republic " initiative must not be pursued as an actual attempt to break away, even if, given the seething emotional state of the people in the Visayas at having been perpetually kept in "bondage" as second class citizens, it may appear to be the thing to do.

But the initiative must be pushed to the end of its practical and feasible limits. The entire range of what it takes to become a full-fledged new country must be explored and assayed. Only in knowing it can be done can we achieve the real purpose of our "tantrum."

Once armed with the knowledge that it can be done, we, the second-class citizens in the south, can then use the same knowledge as a coercive leverage to convey the message to "Imperial Manila" that the time for "we ain't takin' it no more" has arrived.

The knowledge that it can be done will not be an empty threat that can easily be sneezed at because we do have in the south a coercive list of "needs and wants" that Manila cannot do without, such as food and geothermal power, to name just two.