Who is the ASS CONning?

Giving Thanks:

At the outset, I wish to thank The Philippine STAR management led by its President and CEO, Miguel Belmonte, and EVP, Grace Glory Go, for the privilege to write a weekly column. When Miguel graciously offered me this opportunity a few weeks ago, I asked for time to consider the matter, as writing a regular column presented a serious commitment. Unlike others who are able to piece an essay together in a few hours, I function more like a diesel engine — needing some time to rev up to be able to cobble my thoughts into a coherent whole. I once enjoyed the good fortune of traveling to China with STAR founder Max Soliven (who if I am not mistaken occupied this same space for close to 20 years). During the 10-day trip, I observed, with amazement, how he would churn out his daily, full length column (i.e., as in everyday!) using a portable typewriter and then faxing it just before the newspaper went to bed (although as publisher, he may have enjoyed some leeway with respect to deadlines). To do that — day after day, week after week, and year after year required discipline, focus and perseverance. I salute you Uncle Max and I hope that your discipline, focus and perseverance will rub off on me in the weeks to come.

As I look back over the past 20 years, I feel richly blessed with the remarkable personal and professional opportunities that have come my way. I truly believe that there is a Divine Hand hovering over all of us and which gently nudges us to make certain choices and take certain directions in our lives. The challenge presented to each one is to properly discern where the Hand is leading us. Amazing Grace truly! (amazing Gracie as well.)

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Emulating Fr. Reuter: I am of course mindful that the immediately preceding occupant of this space was the venerable Fr. James Reuter, S.J., whose “At 3 AM” column touched and inspired many readers. In his last column entitled, Hoping We Will Be One Forever, Fr. Reuter said that “In this column I have always tried to be positive — presenting the goodness of people, and the wisdom of God’s Providence as I saw it.”  I am not sure if I can be the purveyor of God’s wisdom but I will seek to continue the good priest’s tradition of staying positive. Easier said than done particularly given the global economic downturn, the H1N1 pandemic and the state of Philippine politics, but I will certainly try.  

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Who is the ASS CONning?: As an initial salvo, let me give my four centavos on an issue which has been hugging the headlines for the past few days and that I am academically familiar with — CON ASS. By the terminology alone you will already detect a sinister note — CON (i.e., fool or dupe) and ASS (i.e., not referring to a donkey). I do not wish to add to the chorus of condemnation nor belabor the charge of brazenness and callousness on the part of the House of Representatives (which contrary to popular usage is not equal to Congress as the latter comprises both the House and the Senate). Rather my frustration lies in the negative image generated by the House move to the cause of Charter change. Charter change is not wrong per se. In fact it is often right as it is usually resorted to by the State to conform to the current needs of society. But just like any social tool, it can be used to promote the common good or misused to serve the interest of the few. It is the latter that we need to be vigilant about. 

For the record, I am for some form of Charter change (if only to clean up the glaring mistakes that resulted from the haste in drafting the 1987 Constitution) PROVIDED THAT it is done at the opportune time, in the proper manner and by the right people (capitalization and emphasis mine). The most opportune time is after the 2010 elections while my preferred manner and mode is a constitutional convention composed of elected representatives and appointed experts from various disciplines. I will elaborate on this idea in my next column.

To be honest, I have not made up my mind on specific amendments that have been proposed in the past particularly with respect to the form and structure of government. For example, I am unsure whether the parliamentary set-up and/or a federal structure are appropriate for the current Philippine setting. But I am keeping an open mind and willing to hear the arguments of all sides.

In subsequent columns, I wish to identify and highlight what these proposed changes are, discuss the pros and the cons of these proposals and elicit reactions and suggestions from our readers. My purpose is to stimulate discussion and debate in the hope that eventually, the better idea wins. For after all is said and done, in a genuine democracy, an informed and enlightened citizenry is the final arbiter of what is best for the country. 

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Back to Fr. Reuter: Let me end by circling back to Fr. Reuter’s last column. He ended it with a prayer which beautifully describes the Divine Hand I was referring to earlier. For those who missed that column (dated May 25, 2009), let me quote the prayer’s last three lines:

 “Give us the light to see your Will,

the grace to love it,

and the courage and strength to do it.”

AMEN!

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Comments and reactions are welcome at dean [email protected]