A Rev-Gov?

OVER the past two weeks, social media was abuzz not only with talks of revolutionary government but of organizing to compel the Duterte administration to declare a ‘Rev-Gov’ in a bid to fast track the long overdue reforms yearned for by our people.

But is it the way to do it? Sans any personal motive of some politicos to stay in power or be more powerful in law, Rev-Gov may perhaps be the ultimate solution because it is not without a precedent.

When Cory Aquino assumed the presidency in 1986, fresh from the ouster of the President Marcos, the politicians around her made her declare a Rev-Gov. It was hugely welcomed by the dazzled and exuberant Pinoys in the belief it would finally put an end to government abuses and corruption seen during the Marcos era. A new constitution, largely reactive – protection of human rights as the core of the new constitution – to the political experience and system established by President Marcos, was adopted. One of the surprise (and regrettable) initiatives of the Cory Rev-Gov was not just the freeing of detained leaders of the CPP but making its existence legit.

The call for a Rev-Gov today is obviously not only an expression of deep frustration over inability of present political system to end the endemic corruption in the bureaucracy but a process to end the inefficient presidential-bicameral system to government and replace it with a federal form of government.

The call has its own merits and unstudied propositions. But that being the case, let the discussion and debate continue. With open pubic discussion, we can avoid the serious missteps committed by the Cory Rev-Gov.

 

Jolo riddle

ON June 29, four Army intelligence officers, described by the military as being in hot pursuit of terrorists plotting to bomb Jolo, were gunned down in broad daylight in Jolo.  Upon investigation, the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) called the tragedy a “rubout” and formally filed murder charges against nine Jolo cops.  On Aug. 24, again in Jolo, two female suicide bombers killed 15, seven of them soldiers including Private John Agustin, and wounded 75 others. Agustin, from the Army’s 35th Infantry Battalion, died a hero as he tried to stop one of the bombers from crossing the cordoned-off area.  The military now says the bombings might have been averted if the four intelligence officers were not killed.  Rumors persist an unholy alliance exists between the Jolo police and the Abu Sayyaf owning up the bombings—with some cops allegedly being relatives of terrorists.  Isn’t a Senate probe in order?

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