Emergency People’s Action Against Creeping GMA Dictatorship

Written on Friday, June 6th, 2008 at 6:47 pm | by Patricio Mangubat

There’s nothing wrong with emergency powers. However, history shows that every time the people allow additional powers to the presidency, it was either abused or misused for personal aggrandizement.

As expected, Gloria and her gang of evil misfits are positioning for ultimate power. Last June 2, Gloria signed Executive Order No. 728, creating the National Food and Energy Council (NFEC). Gloria chairs this council, together with the head of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and heads of various departments, including Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy and other agencies.

What this council is tasked to do is “coordinate, undertake, monitor and/or adjust major national long-term policies, programs and projects as measures to ensure adequate, competitively priced supplies of food and energy for the nation, especially the very poor”. What is the meaning of this phrase?

Simply, the Council is empowered to “adjust major national long-term policies”, meaning, legislation. The EO was written in an ambiguous manner. Does this mean that the Council has the power to exercise legislative and police powers? There’s nothing to indicate that. However, one can deduce from the EO that, indeed, the Council has that prerogative.

So, does that mean that the Council can simply seize private enterprises, such as Meralco, telecommunications firms, oil companies and even retail firms? Since we live in a liberalized environment, can government really “ensure adequate, competitively priced supplies of food and energy”? Is the EO a precursor to the institution of price controls? Or, the Council is simply another attempt by government to further intrude into the lives of the people and private enterprises after that disastrous debacle that is, the GSIS-Meralco row?

We must review this EO and maintain our vigilance. This also explains why government is allowing even their controlled media agencies to report about these food and energy crises—to justify the grant of emergency powers to the presidency. And for what? For a Gloria extended term until 2020. We must end this evil regime now, not 2010.

A Gloria-led dictatorship is a very serious threat to the existence of the Philippine state. It is anti-democracy. It is anti-poor. It is a huge potential monster that could further weaken our state and blast us to the pits of hell. Yet, on the flipside, this could prove to be the best thing that Gloria will do to us, the Filipino People.

Let Gloria further oppress and repress us. History punishes oppressors with short lives.

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About The Author: Patricio Mangubat is a pseudonym. It means "country fight". Yet, the one behind this name is real. He can be briefly described as a long-time activist as well as a communication strategist. He blogs at The New Philippine Revolution.

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3 Responses to “Emergency People’s Action Against Creeping GMA Dictatorship”

  1. Ding G. Gagelonia on June 6th, 2008 7:17 pm

    Sir Pat’s apprehensions about the National Food and Energy Council probably resonates in the minds of many Filipinos in the clutches of the deepening economic malaise. With such fears being articulated the onus is for the political leadership to assure our people that the creation of the crisis NFEC gas no hidden agenda or a pretext for the institution of any draconian edicts.

    We can, for now, assume that the use of the phrase “creeping dictatorship” is a bit overblown and that the judicial and judicial checks-and-balance mechanisms, with such personages as Chief Justice Reynato Puno and not a few committed civil libertarian and militant lawmakers in both houses of Congress expected to be vigilant and pro active against any abuse.

    Let’s see how this chapter plays out.

  2. J on June 6th, 2008 7:37 pm

    I don’t think NFE will be that super-powerful. Not because checks and balances exist. So the Meralco take over scenario, I think, is far-fetched.

  3. Patricio Mangubat on June 7th, 2008 8:34 am

    J, government continues to prosecute Meralco execs with legal suits that imply, among others, that the fight continues for the control of the utility firm.

    Yes, sir Ding, we need to see how this chapter plays out. Vigilance is the order of the day. We must ensure that government agencies will remain unsullied and protected against machinations by Gloria’s gang of misfits.

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