STAUNCH NATIONALIST leaders joined social movement and cause-oriented
groups in the July 25 launching of SULONG PILIPINAS!, a movement that
vows to defend and assert the national patrimony and social justice
provisions of the constitution amidst current initiatives to change
the 1987 charter.
SULONG PILIPINAS! pledged to put up a strong resistance against efforts
to tinker with the economic provisions of the Constitution and remove
restrictions on foreign ownership and participation. It seeks not
only to defend the principle of economic nationalism upon which the
Constitution was founded, but also to press government to enforce
the social justice provisions enshrined in the charter for the protection
of the rights of the marginalized redistribution of wealth, and the
democratization of the country's resources.
Leaders of the broad formation warned against the "silent agenda
behind the Cha-cha" that is being quietly pushed by the country's
economic managers under the pressure of international institutions
led by the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and
World Bank. Beyond the proposed changes to the political system, the
group anticipates that the Macapagal-Arroyo government would work
for the removal of protectionist policies, thereby ensuring further
liberalization and foreign domination of our economy.
According to the group, the removal of barriers to foreign investments
and ownership would severely compromise Philippine sovereignty as
it would accord foreigners with the rights and privileges enjoyed
by Filipinos but not the corresponding duties and responsibilities
of Filipino citizens.
Foreign corporations along with giant local corporations would take
over services and utilities traditionally controlled by the State.
Consumers would be at the mercy of profiteering companies, and the
rights of the marginalized sectors will be further violated, if not
entirely denied
In addition, the group asserted that there would be further deterioration
of local industries as small local enterprises are woefully unprepared
to compete with foreign corporations that have huge investments and
advanced technologies.
Furthermore, allowing foreigners to own lands would virtually render
the country defenseless against the exploitation and degradation of
the country's natural resources and local communities. Legislated
regulation would not guarantee protection considering government's
weakness in exercising regulatory powers. The group pointed out that
government has proven to be highly malleable when confronted by political
influence and business interests.
Speakers in the launching program also highly criticized the globalization
policies and the neoliberal ideology of free trade being peddled by
rich powerful countries through institutions like the WTO IMF and
World Bank that further victimizes developing countries while enriching
transnational corporations.
Among the convenors of SULONG PILIPINAS! are Vice-President Teofisto
Guingona, Former Senator Wigberto Tañada, Former Senator Jovito
Salonga. Nini Quezon-Avanceña. Rep. Etta Rosales, Freedom from
Debt Coalition President Ana Maria Nemenzo, FDC Secretary-General
Lidy Nacpil, Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, Atty. Rene Sarmiento Joel
Rocamora, Prof. Randy David, Prof. Walden Bello, Atty. Marvic Leonen
Behn Cervantes, and Maitet Diokno-Pascual.
