CHIEF
OF Staff Gen. Santiago and other officers of the Armed Forces, Mayor
Vergara and other citizens of Baguio City, Congressman Domogan and
the other national officers who were here, Assistant Secretary Katindig,
co-chairman of the Rizal Day celebration; PNP Director Gen. Ebdane,
happy birthday to you; Ladies and Gentlemen, my beloved countrymen.
Today, we are honoring Rizal. Our national hero is the most gifted
Filipino who ever lived, truly the pride of the Malayan race.
A century ago, he made the ultimate sacrifice for the Filipino people,
giving up his life at Luneta field. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom led
to the creation of the Philippine Republic in 1898.
In the hundred years that have passed since Jose Rizal was martyred,
the world has undergone rapid change.
Throughout the world, it is now clear the transparent, open and democratic
societies give to the fullest opportunities for individual merit and
effort to bloom.
These societies have created a culture that allow their citizens
to use the advances that technology and Information Age have brought
in order to create a better life for both individuals and collective
society. In these societies, the result has been the development of
mature politics, strong government institutions, and the generation
of the material benefits undreamed of during Jose Rizal’s time.
These are the main elements of a strong and modern society, the Strong
Republic that I dream of for the Philippines. We’re still far
away from that dream but it is within our reach.
Indeed, it’s ironic, that ours is the first Republic in Asia.
But over the last decades, it has become one of the weakest, steadily
left behind by its more progressive neighbors. The fundamental reason
is the persistence of an outdated social system wherein vested interests
and traditional politics have stunted development towards a strong
and modern society. Thus, our country is now only a bit better but
the category of backward countries wherein powerful, selfish interests
are able to exploit poverty and ignorance to maintain the status quo
or impede open progressive development.
Throughout the world, we see sad examples for these countries and,
invariably, they are in economic decline, becoming breeding grounds
for strife, conflict and even terrorism, but I am optimistic that
this will not become our national fate.
I believe this because I see around me the emergence of a new generation
of dynamic and progressive leaders, whether in politics, in business
or in civil society. They will be our agents of change.
Thus, I believe that we can create a strong and modern Philippine
Republic, but it will take personal sacrifice from each one of us.
As we honor Jose Rizal today, it is fitting that I ask each Filipino
to make also sacrifice for our country. Our country needs our help.
In recent years, our fundamental weaknesses have been revealed in
ways that are worrisome to broad sectors of our citizenry.
In the economy, ever since the Asian crisis in the 1997, our public
revenues have been steadily declining in relation to the size of our
economy. This has led to persistent budget deficit.
In society, we have become a nation deeply divided, symbolized by
the polarity between EDSA II and the May 1 siege barely three months
after EDSA II.
And in governance, there is now too much politics hampering good,
productive governance.
The convergence of the national stresses such as these has led to
the sense of gloom that many of our citizens now talk of. There is
a feeling of too much negativism and conflict in our society.
In the coming weeks, we will be launching a series of powerful, positive
actions that will improve the life of our people.
Major announcements will be made in January.
However, we also know that we will soon enter the political period
leading up to the elections in 2004. My reading on the political winds
tells me that the 2004 election may well go down in history as among
our most bitterly contested elections ever. This is because of the
deep social and political division that we now have.
If this is true, then sincere efforts to launch programs will run
the risk of being derailed by political fighting leading up to the
elections.
The government in place after 2004 may merely end up inheriting a
country as deeply divided as ever. Consequently, we may end up stalling
national growth for a few years more as a result of lost momentum.
In view of all these factors, I have decided not to run for President
during the election of 2004.
If I were to run, it will require a major political effort on my
part. But since I’m among the principal figures in the divisive
national events for the last two or three years, my political efforts
can only result in never-ending divisiveness.
On the other hand, relieved of the burden of politics, I can devote
the last year and half of my administration to the following:
First, strengthening economy; to create more jobs and to encourage
business activities that is unhampered by corruption and red tape
in government.
Second, healing the deep divisions within our society.
Third, working for clean and honest elections in 2004.
If we achieve these, my successor as President will be in a good
position to lead the Philippines through the next decisive steps for
the strong and modern society. United, we can see this dream come
true within our lifetime.
Thus, I appeal to each Filipino to help in this endeavor. Following
the example of Jose Rizal, let us think of country and not just of
self.
Thank You and Happy New Year.
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This speech was delivered on December 30, 2002.
