Divisive issues

The decision of the Supreme Court to recall a supposedly final ruling reinstating the dismissed members of the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) created a firestorm that underscores the divisions that continue to plague this country. On the superficial level, there is the perennial disagreement between management and labor unions as represented by the long-running disputes involving the Philippine Airlines and members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) over retirement age, benefits, labor practices and other issues. This dissonance between employees and employers was highlighted even earlier through a statement by the Employers Confederation condemning the wildcat strike of PALEA members during typhoon Pedring as “anarchy at its worst,” saying that the strikers are not the kind of workers employers need.  

Not surprisingly, the SC recall has fueled apprehension that the decision favoring FASAP could be reversed — triggering bitter accusations that justice in this country favors those who can afford it. “It’s not true that those who have less in life have more in law,” a protester angrily said. In short, there is that growing perception of a class divide once again — with the poor thinking that the rich will always have the upper hand even in the supposed court of last resort. 

Many are convinced that the recall issue has given Malacañang fresh ammunition against the Supreme Court. It’s no secret that the Aquino administration has a major distrust of the Corona-led SC, with President Noy making no bones about his personal dislike for Chief Justice Renato Corona when he chose then-Associate Justice and now Ombudsman Chit Carpio-Morales to administer his oath of office. In the past few months, the SC has rendered decisions perceived to be inimical to Malacañang’s position — giving rise to speculations that the Executive and the Judiciary continue to be engaged in an undeclared war of sorts.

But it seems the “war” has escalated with the recent developments on the proposed cuts on the Judiciary’s budget — specifically the withholding of the P2 billion allocated for the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund meant for vacant positions. Chief Justice Corona has shed off his judicial robe and is ready to fight, accusing the Aquino administration of using Congress to destroy the independence of the Judiciary by using the power of the purse and forcing the SC to “beg” for its funds guaranteed by the Constitution. Though not directly said, Corona took to task members of Congress who have threatened to impeach the SC justices for thumbing down proposed legislations like the cityhood laws, the Truth Commission and the appointment of OICs in the ARMM. The SC may not have the power of the purse or the power of the sword, but Corona warned that they will use the power of the pen (we all know now this is not exclusive to journalists) to “strike down what is illegal, unconstitutional and patently immoral.”

The opposition quickly joined the brawl, accusing P-Noy allies of forcing SC justices to toe the administration agenda by resorting to “political blackmail” — threatening them with impeachment and now, withholding the purse strings. No doubt the tit-for-tat is far from over, judging from the press statement issued by Budget Secretary Butch Abad saying the issue of unfilled positions has been settled, and therefore implying that the Chief Justice is just using the issue to divert attention from the flak it is getting over the FASAP recall.

The Marcos burial is another divisive issue, with P-Noy closing the door in putting the matter to its final resting place (pardon the pun). This has triggered criticisms even from retired archbishop Oscar Cruz who said that P-Noy “failed to act presidential,” implying that in the end, the issue became personal — a sentiment shared equally with the Aquinos by the victims of injustice during martial law. 

However, in his “Teditorial” segment on ANC, Teddy Boy Locsin — the former speechwriter, legal counsel and spokesperson of the late President Cory Aquino — said it was “about time to bury Marcos and bury the hatchet between the Aquino and Marcos families.” Teddy’s father was Free Press publisher-editor Teodoro Locsin Sr. who was imprisoned during martial law, and yet Teddy Boy surprised a lot of people when he said Marcos should be buried for what he was: a former soldier and president elected by the people twice. Those who watched that “Teditorial” said the most thought-provoking was Locsin’s succinct analysis that the “Marcoses should stop opening themselves up to insult by asking for something only they can give — the honors they believe is due their father — when one of them ascends to the office to which he (Ferdinand Marcos) was elected twice.”

This is actually a challenge to FM Jr. to run for president and finally see if the Marcoses still have a national following as implied perhaps by the fact that Bongbong landed on the 7th spot with over 12 million votes in the last Senatorial elections. Ironically, the Aquino-Marcos fight may once again be in the forefront in 2016, if or when Bongbong decides to run against Noynoy’s anointed successor.

In any case, all these divisive issues surrounding the Supreme Court, Congress and Malacañang, the political wrangling and maneuvering, the Marcoses and the Aquinos — are continuing reminders that politics, injustice and class inequity continue to keep this country from achieving real unity and cohesion. The sad part is that many Filipinos see these issues as problems caused exclusively by the upper echelon of society — with the greater majority, whose numbers are rapidly growing by the minute, mainly concerned with one major issue: Getting something to feed their children.

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