 
Dear FOP Readers,
On July 26, a nation awaits the address of its new leader. It might have been understandable for many of us that the inaugural speech was merely a montage of issues that the new government would prioritize and promises to keep that were anchored on the anti-corruption, anti- poverty campaign advocacy “Kung walang korap, walang mahirap”. The crowd applauded to the speech spoken mostly in Filipino that tugged at the people’s hearts.
But the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the first one for President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, is much anticipated for the vision to which the new president can rally the people and the legislature; for the policies and programs he will spell out that may spell a genuine and radical difference for this country. The past presidents had made a big show of the SONA—President Fidel Ramos had Mang Pandoy to symbolize Ramos’ vision of economic progress and President GMA had her “bangkang papel” (paper boat) boys from the urban poor community in Payatas.
President Noynoy Aquino may not need such symbols—‘props’ would probably be the more appropriate term. What is important is for the hope he had inspired to be finally anchored on substantial policy articulations and clearly outlined programs. In this July issue, FOP News Analysis and Features tackles the areas/sectors that had lagged behind in terms of much needed transformation; where a strong political will engendering profound change is needed: education, agrarian reform, conflict in Mindanao and freedom of information. Like the rest of the nation that will be glued on television and radios, we are hoping these issues will be addressed on July 26.
Sincerely,
Editor
News Analysis
Agrarian Reform Agenda: Uncertain under P-Noy’s Administration?
By Carmina Flores-Obanil and Mary Ann Manahan
Confronting Education Woes: Less Politics, More Resource Management Favoring the Poor
By Clarissa V. Militante
The Limits of Illiberal Colonialism
By Herbert Docena
What’s at Stake in the President’s Anti-Corruption Crusade?
By Herbert Docena
Freedom of Information Advocates Appeal to P-Noy
By Right to Know Right Now Coalition
Feature Story
Book Review: To Move Forward: Confront Legacy of Damaged Institutions; Solve Flaws in Systems & Policies
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Open letter to Pres. Noynoy re. the inclusion of Passage of FOI as one of his Priority Measures |
20 July 2010
His Excellency
BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
President of the Philippines
Malacañan Palace
Manila
Thru:
Hon. Paquito Ochoa
Executive Secretary
Hon. Julia Abad
Presidential Chief of Staff
Hon. Edwin Lacierda
Presidential Spokesperson
Subject: Appeal for Inclusion of the Passage of the Freedom of Information Act as one of the President’s Priority Measures for the 15th Congress
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To Move Forward: Confront Legacy of Damaged Institutions; Solve Flaws in Systems & Policies |
According to new book*
The quest for justice involving wrongdoings of leaders of this country has oftentimes been frowned upon as attempt to seek revenge—to be ‘after one’s blood’ as the misguided phrase goes. Filipinos would rather make peace and reconcile, or on the other hand, criticize ourselves as having short memory. Thus is repeated the cycle of corruption, transactional politics, political patronage and abuse of authority, among others.
But it’s time to stop seeing this quest as just being personal, and even merely politically-motivated, as there are enough evidences in fact as well as in logic for seeking justice, and more so for meting out punishment where punishment is due. Focus on the Global South, through its newly-published and -launched book “Project 2010: Confronting the Legacy of the GMA Regime” not only documents, dissects and analyzes these legacies, summed up as “damaged institutions”, but also how these happened. Aya Fabros is the book’s editor.
The explanation may be found in political-economic, and yes, personal interests, but flaws in the political and legal systems, as well as in government processes, had a big role to play in allowing these interests to be further entrenched and to circumvent these very laws and systems. The investigation, as well as the insights it generated, into the details of the how’s and why’s of corruption, patronage politics, electoral fraud, abuse of power can very well be the book’s major contribution to the efforts yet to attain that “reconciliation with justice” that President Noynoy Aquino underscored in his inaugural speech.
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