Fealty to the Constitution

MANILA, Philippines - Assembled here today in “hallowed ground” are soldiers, heroes, political leaders, captains of business and industry; entrepreneurs, professionals; even men of the cloth, the whole spectrum of Philippine society is captured in this field. Philippine history has been shaped and influenced in no small part by this institution and by those who had the privilege of being educated in it through the beneficence of the Filipino people.

It is therefore fitting to speak not merely of the PMA, its ideals, and its importance or consequence to our country but of a broader topic: that is some random thoughts about our country’s future and the significance of this institution and its role in molding leaders, and perhaps of leadership itself.

Our country today stands at a crossroad of complex and dynamic political and social phenomena – be they conflicts, problems, or movements, which include the effects of a worldwide economic downturn. I believe however, that within this vortex lies a path for prosperity – the opportunities for our country to shine and prosper precisely because of these problems and their effects on people’s consciousness. In a zero sum world other problems are our potential benefits. Although we have been less affected than our neighbors from the effects of the global financial meltdown, through no doubt prudent fiscal stewardship of Her Excellency, the President, we continue to face difficult challenges – conditions of peace and order, to include separatist movements, terrorism, the so-called communist insurgency is a prime concern; infrastructure gaps, quality education, quality healthcare, political reform to include capacity-building of not only, our existing local government units, but of regional political infrastructure, and an archaic legal system, are but a few of such problems.

These challenges can be met effectively only through stability engendered by the exercise of perspicacious institutional leadership and collaterally through a responsible political system. Perspicacity meaning not only wisdom but discernment. I feel though unfortunately that the atmosphere today is clogged with partisan politics – a race for a political position as the crown jewel of a political exercise – rather than the achievement of a strategic political, social and economic vision. In military parlance, it is much too tactical. Real thinking and real work need to be continued and to be sustained.

A campaign plan, so to speak, not of the electoral variety but akin to military one, must be crafted whereby the strategic goal must be set not of merely making the Philippines a better place for Filipinos, which is a must in any case, but a Philippines which will be geopolitically and economically a regional force, at the least. Rather than evolve a plan based on an inward looking strategy, we must operationalize a plan to make a vibrant, stronger Philippines in the ASEAN or even the Asia Pacific region in twenty or so years. It must be based on a strategic vision of the Philippines being a stable platform of domestic and foreign investment, with strong and accountable public institutions, both local and national, to provide basic services, ensure peace and order, and provide for the efficient and transparent delivery of public goods. We have the assets at our disposal: a stable economy due to prudent fiscal stewardship by the President, a highly literate population although the quality of literacy must improve, abundant natural resources, especially for agriculture and for tourism, a liberal culture with highly cherished and guarded freedoms. We need to craft the public mechanisms, the political infrastructure, to channel these strengths into a coherent force rather than to allow them to dissipate uselessly in the air. We must combine both boldness and prudence in all aspects of public life.

Yes, a new forward looking political order must evolve through, and I must stress this, legitimate and Constitutional means, after a transparent and fair process – which new order must underscore synergy rather than division; which must respect different cultures and reflect the disparate needs of our different peoples; which must create workable public institutions both local and national, instill and enforce accountability; must institutionalize individual liberties and the role of the private sector – balancing these out with provisions for regulation through disclosure and transparency retaining however the power to protect citizens against abuses, especially those committed in the marketplace; it must professionalize the government workforce, allowing a realistic approach to compensation and realize that quality of life applies to public servants too; finally it must not only preserve but must reinforce our Bill of Rights.

We must have peace and order in the country. We must have security, both internal and external. Peace is contextual – it is the absence of a state of violence or a state of conflict under a framework of law. It must not only be wished for or willed but ENFORCED. It is dependent upon the state as the sole institution of armed enforcement of the law. Public investment in defense and police must be increased, not merely in terms of equipment but also in terms of manpower in order to deter breaches of the peace. The finely balanced combination of both soft and hard power being utilized today is the only means by which we can afford to have peace at the least cost in suffering, in resources, and in lost opportunities, to our people. The country cannot afford to veer away from this policy. Externally beyond the obvious need for more robust military capabilities is the continuing need for skilled diplomacy, we must continue to invest in the education of international relations experts. Likewise we must take advantage of the international arrangements available to us like ASEAN.

We must continue to invest in our number one resource: our people especially in health and education, the latter not merely to fill the needs of the job market for thinkers, planners, who will provide the backbone of the brainpower reserves we need for the future.

We must continue to invest in vital infrastructure which will provide the means of communication between and among our several islands. In doing so, we must reconceptualize not only their locations and designs but also their PURPOSES in accordance with the concept of disaster risk management, the effects of climate change being obvious to ignore.

The things I have mentioned are but some of the things we need to do as a country not merely to survive but to GET AHEAD. One can readily see the leaps we have to make for the future. Ambition and boldness in strategy are necessary. But such boldness and strategy must be ANCHORED on solid and stable foundations to provide firm moorings. If not, then the pure audacity that occurs will result in a rudderless ship of state, directionless, and aimless.

Such stability is provided by our public institutions which through our Constitution have been decreed by our people as the contract by which we govern ourselves and our private and public relationships. You may say that I am engaging in double speak where I advocate change on the one hand yet enjoin fealty to the institutions on the other. May I explain such a dichotomy? The best parallel I find is in the law profession. Lawyers are charged to be both defenders of the status quo and agents of change at the same time. How does this work? I may reduce it to its simplest terms — the observance of processes and procedures which, especially if they are the product of a political exercise, have been legitimately determined to be the fairest means of settling a public issue at any given time. We may strive for change but only through the processes made available to us and not by any other means.

Thus the central message of my talk, the fealty to the Constitution by the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a vital leg of stability and which together with other public institutions thereby form the platform or the hardy and sturdy anchorage on which reforms can be made. If this sturdy and delicate balance becomes unbalanced then political instability which may well-nigh last for a considerable period of time may ensue.

I have mentioned several factors and elements of the governance equation which must be approached with mature reflection by every Filipino. Partisan politics merely distorts an already complex picture or maybe even disguises it.

As an institution of leadership: the only place in the country where leadership is systematically taught and experienced on the other hand; you the alumni are in a unique position to understand the requisites for formulating the strategic plan needed to bring this country forward and to EXECUTE it. You have been endowed with this gift that other scholars of the people have not experienced. Being in several fields, you have the responsibility and the obligation to educate and enlighten others primarily through the example you set, and do your all, so that, to borrow from the ALMA MATER SONG, when your last Taps is sung, you have helped — let generations see, our Country free.