TO PRESIDENT Arroyo, Speaker de Venecia, and the other proponents
of a government of national unity, we have one simple question—what
is the basis of unity?
There seems to be unity about the need for unity—but unity
towards what? There is unity and there is unity—but unity around
what?
The government of national unity has evolved from an ideal into something
nearly real, yet we have not heard of platform to bind the different
parties that will comprise the government of national unity.
A government of national unity forged for sharing power among rival
elite factions is utterly useless to the people. It will be a win-win
situation for contending camps but a losing proposition for the oppressed
masses.
It is a simplification that too much politics has caused a too slow
growth in the economy. The country's problem is not an excess of politics
but a lack of principled politics. There is too much noise but too
little talk about the roots of the economic crisis. There is too little
debate about the real causes of mass poverty.
It is globalization that has destroyed the local economy and devastated
living standards. Industry and agriculture has collapsed from unfair
global competition. The budget deficit has ballooned since the economy
has shrunk and tariffs have been reduced. Unemployment is rising and
wages are frozen as factories are shutdown and contractualization
is rampant. It is this that militant labor wants discussed and debate.
Militant labor will support a government of national unity whose
basis of unity is defense of our sovereignty and protection against
globalization. However, we will oppose a government of power sharing
whose platform is more of the same globalization. Is such a case,
class struggle and not national unity is our just response.
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Si Renato Magtubo ay Chairman ng Partido ng Manggagawa.
