Anarchy in government - I

At first blush, this title bespeaks diametrically-opposed ideas, or contradiction of terms. It’s not only oxymoronic in tone or meaning, but also hyperbolic in nuances; nonetheless, an apt metaphor to reflect grave realities in public governance.

This is true both in the national government and local administration, getting worse and on the brink of getting worst, depending on politicians’ contingencies or whims.

Basically, government refers to the system and exercise of authority and power of sovereignty over society up to the highest parameters. It includes the laws, jurisprudence, rules and regulations, and organization and personnel for public governance so that the community be in a state of orderliness, in peace, and its state of affairs smooth and stable. It includes both rights and obligations of the governed with sanctions and penalties in case of transgressions.

The term anarchy is a state of disorder, absence or failure of government, resulting in chaos, violence, and confusion with no sovereign control over man’s behavior and actions.

Count out the history of the Philippines for about three centuries during the Spanish regime, or the three-year or so under Japanese subjugation. At the turn of the 20th century, the Treaty of Paris facilitated the American presence that gave rise to the Philippine Commonwealth until the Philippine Independence on July 4, 1946.

  There’s no question that the Philippines earned its place in the democratic community of nations as a sovereign power with an effective working government.

Such honor, however, got snapped radically when then President Ferdinand E. Marcos boldly declared Martial Law in September 1972, as the turning point when anarchy ruled the roost throughout the land. Marcos abused the Filipino people with his co-called presidential decrees (PD), executive orders (EO), and fallacious people consultations in referendums – not elections – that were rigged and manipulated. The martial law regime was not just a one-man rule, but the darkest episode of anarchy.

The second ignominy was the preceding administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when anarchy was in effect the infamous be all and in all. Graft and corruption reigned like everybody’s business in government which tarnished the executive, the legislative, and even the once sacrosanct judiciary up to the highest rung.

The executive branch being the head of state and executioner of laws, policies, and programs of the entire government where power emanates, was direly dirtied by wrong-doings, like, stealing from public coffers, raiding “savings”, rigging contracts, “electioneering” of votes, laundering ill-gotten wealth by the nouveau riche, and all sorts of malfeasance. Hence, President Aquino issued Executive Order 1 creating the Truth Commission, perhaps to halt anarchy.

The legislative as well, practices anarchy instead of austerity. Their “pork barrel” at P200M each for Senators and P70M each for the 283 congressmen or a total of P24.8 billion, is no peanuts to crack and munch. And these virtual “rogues” and illiterates among them, say, showbiz figures, a boxer like Manny Pacquiao who pretends as educated with his “You know” expression, smugglers and drug dealers, and outright incompetents.

In the judicial branch, appointments and promotions of magistrates are dictated by politicians, and many are “repeaters”. Even those at the higher and highest levels, there’s so much to be desired. The conflicting versions of the Hubert Webb, et al. case is just an example, or the confusion inre the 16-LGU aspiring to be cities, and such other doubtful resolutions. In fact, many a judge of the lower tier has now and then featured in media for their wishy-washy performance.

Treated overall, the national government is racked by actions or actuations of anarchy because despite puny attempts to abide by the law, more often their modicum ability and diligence falls short of what is required.

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