This is a reaction letter in response to National Federation of Filipino American Associations’ President, Loida Nicolas-Lewis, calling for truth but not calling for resignation.
Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis
National Federation of Filipino American Associations
2607 24th St. NW, Ste. 4
Washington, D.C. 20008-2600
February 29, 2008
Dear Ms. Nicolas-Lewis,
I am a 22 year old Filipino-American, born to a middle class family in the United States. However, for the past two years I have been living in the Philippines. As an official observer of the May 2007 elections, I was shocked by the basic dysfunctionalities in our political system. However, I was inspired by the massive involvement of civil society in guarding the elections. Many analysts pointed to the mobilization of ordinary citizens – who outshined the extremists – to defend their democratic prerogatives.
With that said, the current crisis is now again pushing civil society to mobilization. And, also like the elections, the unorganized, non-extreme citizens are taking the lead. I appreciate your statement in supporting civil society’s call for truth. Additionally, after having experienced the divide between Filipinos and Filipino-Americans from both sides, I appreciate that you even cared to make any statement at all. However, I believe parts of your statement were based on incorrect assumptions, and I beg you to specifically take the following into consideration: 1) GMA’s accomplishments regarding the economy; and 2) That “there’s no other alternative.”
You cited as a main reason for keeping GMA as the president the record 7.3% growth in the economy. However, if you would take the time to investigate actual analyses of the economy, experts agree that this GDP growth is not due to sustainable policies of this administration, but due to the record increase of remittances from overseas workers ($14.45 billion in 2007, compared to $12.8 billion in 2006) and the massive sale of government-owned corporations and shares in public holdings. GMA has followed a program of wide-scale privatization which has resulted in skyrocketing costs for basic services (such as water, electricity, and highway tolls). Worse, many government holdings have been sold to foreign companies, truly preventing the Filipino people from enjoying the resources of our own soil.
As a result, there has been no trickle down effect of this GNP growth. Basic economics tells us that as an economy expands, and especially as the value of the peso rises, this should be accompanied by a drop in consumer prices. Conversely, in the past six months there have been no less than three nation-wide raises in the market prices of basic commodities such as rice, wheat, bangus and eggs. Wages have not increased to meet the increase in prices and, in fact, several large corporations have experienced massive retrenchment due to a decrease in revenue. Furthermore, the majority of the nation, which is dependent on OFW remittances, has actually experienced a decrease in real income as the peso rises against the dollar. You stated “Consistent growth in the next two years will bring our country to the threshold of socioeconomic progress.” However, economic analysts agree that this growth will not continue, especially as tax collection has actually decreased during the GMA administration, and the administration habitually grants “tax holidays” to major firms whose owners she wished to woo (such as the Lopez-owned Meralco).
I hope this evidence enlightens your point of view regarding GMA’s supposedly positive impact on the economy. However, I was more troubled by another part of your statement, that “The Filipino people are being forced into extremist positions advanced by personal vested agendas,” and that you do not wish to support a call for resignation “on the ground that there’s no other alternative.”
Immediately, I understand your point of view. When I was living in the U.S., the seemingly unending crises appeared to be sad evidence of the political immaturity of Filipinos, who seemed to me to be easily excitable and induced to extreme actions. However, being that I have had the opportunity to witness this latest crisis from the inside, there are several factors which show that this is not the usual noise.
First, I would like to reiterate that the extreme groups on both the left and the right are small players in the current political clamour. In fact, although the story of this administration is an extreme one, not limited to immense corruption but also including kidnapping, intimidation and murder, the response, as you noted, is a tempered one of truth and accountability. A new generation of students and laity are taking the lead in a way completely different than, for example, the LFS of the early 80’s. There is a new consciousness among the people that goes beyond regime change; that is centered around basic principles of democracy and morality, and reform.
Which brings me to the most important point. There is a fundamental mistake with the idea that we must settle for GMA “on the ground that there’s no other alternative.” Many lament that the Philippines has been through 2 successful EDSA revolutions and life has still not improved. Many, like you, do not want to call for GMA’s resignation before answering the question, “Sino ipapalit?” The inability of the Filipino to rise after several presidents and regime changes is evidence that our goal should go beyond regime change to include basic fundamental system changes.
There are fundamental flaws in our institutions that allow them to appear democratic externally, yet be co-opted by immoral forces. For example, we have elections, but the government institution responsible for conducting elections is understaffed and mismanaged. We have a system which checks the president’s power to appoint judges and cabinet officials, however, those that submit the list of judicial nominees to the President are also chosen by the President, and the President can bypass Senate confirmation of cabinet officials by simply announcing an appointment when Congress is not in session. We have laws, such as the Public Administration Code, which regulate the way public money is spent, however, almost every clause of the Public Administration Code ends in the phrase, “upon the discretion of the President.” We have a governmental system, however, this system is so flawed that true democracy can never flourish under it, no matter who is president.
I believe that GMA should resign from office. As a government official in a country which claims to be democratic, she serves at the pleasure and mandate of the people. She has lost that mandate (if she ever had it to begin with) and thus has no right to sit in the Presidency. However, it is time for our political discourse to mature beyond simple regime change and to fundamental political reform. GMA is a major obstacle to meaningful government accountability and reform, and thus should and must be removed if our beloved country is to have a chance to progress. However, we must go beyond that. Our question should not be “Sino ipapalit?” but “Ano ipapalit.”
Ceci Da Supastar 
June 26, 2008 at 7:24 pm
good day po! im rhyan,monzales,27 years old ,single,filipino, living at #139 tibag street balon anito mariveles,bataan 2105 philippines. im very proud of you mam loida,lewis. i salute you for all the achievement youve done. sana po makita ko kayo personal isang malaking karangalan po na makilala ko kayo.naniwala po ako na ang tao ay may kanya kanya kapalaran. yung bagay po na tinatamasa nyo ngaun deserving nyo po yan ,matalino po kayo at may dedikasyon sa bawat opurtunidad na dumarating sa buhay nyo kaya po kayo pinag papala pa lalo ,natutuwa po ako na di po kayo nakalimut sa lupang inyong sinilangan bagkus pinag yaman nyo pa ang binhi sa mga kabataang inyong tinutulungan na makapag tapos ng pagaaral. ibat iba man ang buhay na tinatahak ang mahalagay di tayo makalimut sa nakalipas upang matamo pa lalo ang hinaharap sa mas makabuluhang pagtanaw sa ating buhay. masaya po ako para sa inyo!inspirasyun kopo kayo. d man po ako mag tagumpay sa buhay ko patuloy parin po akong mangangarap hangang sa matamo ko ito kung hindi man po ako palarin patuloy parin akong mangangarap ,hangad kulang na wag abutin sa pagpikit ng aking mga mata ang mga pangarap ko. salamat po!
November 11, 2008 at 7:24 am
to ms.loida lewis
kumusta na po kayo?my tfc po dito sa tinitirahan ko at kasama ko po ang wife ko at 2 anak.ako po si manuel nasa new jersey po kami nakatira.6yrs na po kami dito sa america.wala pa po kaming papers at ang wife ko lang po ang may work.napanghihinaan na po ako ng loob dahil napakahirap maghanap ng work ngayon lalo tnt po kaming lahat.nagpapalakas na lang po sa akin ngayon ay ang pamilya ko at una sa lahat ang dios.kung makikita ninyo ang mga exam ng mga anak ko sa school ang tataas at nasa honor roll pa po ang oldest daugther ko.nagbabakasakali po ako na mabasa ninyo ang sulat ko at matulungan po ninyo ako na mabigyan ng trabaho alang-alang sa mga anak ko.marami pa po sana akong sasabihin sa inyo kaya lang hindi ko po alam kung mababasa ninyo iti.gusto ko po kayung tawagan sa phone kaya lang po hindi ko po alam kung paano kayo matatawagan.heto po ang cell no. ko. 908-764-9584 at address ko po sa new jersey ay 2474 dayton ave. union nj 07083.maraming salamat po at god bless you.manuel baul
February 20, 2010 at 8:14 pm
TO. MS. LOIDA LEWIS
KUMUSTA NA PO KAYO,SUMULAT PO AKO SA OPEN LETTER NYO SA COMPUTER NOONG NOVEMBER 2008 ,SANA PO NABASA NYO.SA NGAYON PO NAGPAPALAKAS NA LANG SA AKIN DITO SA AMERICA AY ANG WIFE KO AT 2 ANAK KO KASAMA NG PANGINOONG DIOS.SA TUWING NAKIKITA KO PO SILA NA NAGSISIKAP SILA SA PAG-AARAL NILA LALO KO PONG PINIPILIT ANG SARILI KO NA MAGING MALAKAS DITO SA AMERICA KAHIT SA PUSO KO NA NARARAMDAMAN KO NA NAWAWALAN NA PO AKO NG PAG-ASA DAHIL LAHAT PO KAMI AY TNT PA,KAYA PO SA ARAW-ARAW ANG TANGI KO NA LANG SANDALAN AY ANG LAGING PAGDARASAL SA DIOS.ANG WIFE KO LANG PO ANG MAY WORK NGAYON,HIHINGI PO SANA AKO NG TULONG SA INYO KAHIT ANONG WORK ALANG-ALANG LANG PO SA 2 ANAK KO NA ANG PANGARAP NG ISANG MAGULANG NA MAPATAPOS ANG KANYANG MGA ANAK YAN PO ANG PINIPILIT KONG GAWIN DITO SA AMERICA,NAHIHIRAPAN PO AKONG MAGHANAP NG JOB DAHIL TNT PO AKO SANA PO MATULUNGAN NYO AKO,,GUSTO KO PO SANA KAYONG TAWAGAN SA PHONE OR MAKITA PARA PERSONAL PO AKONG MAGMAKAAWA NA MATULUNGAN NYO AKO NA MABIGYAN NG TRABAHO,KUNG SAKALI PO NA MABASA NINYO ITO AT MABIGYAN NINYO AKO NG PAGKAKATAON NA MATULUNGAN HETO PO CEL NO. KO 908-727-0301 ANG ADDRESS KO PO NGAYON AT LUMIPAT NA PO KAMI NG TIRAHAN 1326 BURNET AVE. UNION NJ 07083….MARAMING SALAMAT PO AT PAGPALAIN KAYO NG PANGINOONG DIOS,,,,,MANUEL BAUL
February 20, 2010 at 8:38 pm
to. ms.LOIDA LEWIS,
KUMUSTA NA PO KAYO,,,,,MY TFC PO KAMI DITO SA BAHAY AT LAGI KO PO KAYONG NAPAPANOOD SA BALITANG AMERICA.AKO PO SI MANUEL 7YRS NA PO KAMI DITO SA AMERICA KASAMA KO PO WIFE KO AT 2 ANAK KO. DUMATING PO DITO ANG 2 ANAK KO NOONG 6YRS OLD PA ANG BUNSO KO AT 11YRS NAMAN PO ANG ELDEST KO,SA NGAYONG PO NASA HONOR ANG 2 ANAK KO AT LAGING MATATAAS PO ANG GRADES NILA SA SCHOOL.UNTIL NOW PO WALA PA PO KAMING LEGAL STATUS DITO SA AMERICA,NAPANGHIHINAAN NA PO AKO NG LOOB DAHIL NAPAKAHIRAP MAGHANAP NG TRABAHO DAHIL TNT PO KAMING LAHAT,NAGPAPALAKAS NA LANG PO NG LOOB SA AKIN NGAYON AY ANG FAMILY KO AT HIGIT SA LAHAT ANG DIOS.NAGBABAKASAKALI PO AKO NA MABASA NINYO ANG SULAT KO NA MATULUNGAN NINYO AKONG MAKAHANAP NG TRABAHO PARA NA LANG PO SA MGA ANAK KO .ALAM KO PO NA NAPAKARAMI NINYONG NATUTULUNGAN NA TAO,SANA PO MATULUNGAN NYO AKO AT TATANAWIN KO PONG MALAKING UTANG NA LOOB HABANG AKOY NABUBUHAY AT LAGI PO KAYONG KASAMA SA AKING DASAL.KAHIT ANONG TRABAHO PO ALANG -ALANG SA MGA ANAK KO,.SANA PO MAAWA NA KAYO SA AMIN ,HETO PO CEL NO KO KUNG SAKALI PONG MABASA NINYO ITO HETO PO CEL NO.KO 908-727-0301 NAKATIRA PO KAMI NGAYON SA 1326 BURNET AVE UNION NJ 07083,,,MARAMING SALAMAT PO AT GOD BLESS YOU,,,,,,,,,,MANUEL BAUL
February 21, 2010 at 8:25 am
to. ms. loida lewis.
good morning po.ako po si MANUEL BAUL NASAnew jersey po ako.MAY TFC po kami dito sa bahay at napapanood ko po kayo sa balitang america,nagbabakasakali po ako na matutulungan ninyo ako dahil sa dami po ninyong natutulungan,NAGPUNTA PO AKO DITO SA AMERICA PARA MABIGYAN NG MAGANDANG FUTURE ANG MGA ANAK KO 2 PO SILA NASA 5th grade na po bunso ko at high school na po eldest ko lagi po silang nasa honor roll sa school,kaya nanghihinayang po ako sa kanilang talino.NAHIHIRAPAN PO AKONG MAGHANAP NG TRABAHO DAHIL HINDI PA PO KAMI LEGAL DITO SA AMERICA,ANG TANGING SANDALAN KO NA LANG NGAYON AY ANG FAMILY KO AT HIGIT SA LAHAT ANG DIOS,SA TOTOO LANG PO NAPAKAHIRAP NG SITWASYON NAMIN DITO SA AMERICA LALO NA ANG WIFE KO LANG ANG MAY TRABAHO.SA PUSOT-ISIPAN KO MAHINANG-MAHINA NA PO AKO,HINDI KO PO KAYANG SABIHIN ITO SA MGA ANAK KO DAHIL BAKA MAWALAN SILA NG PAG-ASA,KAYA SA PUSO KO BUMIBIGAY NA PO AKO LALO NA WALA PO AKONG TRABAHO,KUNG MAIBABALIK KO LANG PO ANG NAKARAAN MAS GUGUSTUHIN KO PA SA PILIPINAS DAHIL DOON NAKAKARAOS PO KAMI KAHIT PAPAANO AT SIMPLENG PAMILYA LANG ANG PINAPANGARAP KO,SANA PO MATULUNGAN NINYO AKONG MABIGYAN NG TRABAHO ALANG-ALANG SA MGA ANAK KO AT MAIPAGPATULOY NILA ANG KANILANG NASIMULAN DITO SA AMERICA,HETO PO ANG CEL NO. KO AT ADDRESS KUNG SAKALING MAAWA PO KAYO SA AKIN TATANAWIN KONG MALAKING UTANG NA LOOB SA INYO HABANG BUHAY,,,,908-727-0301 AT ADDRESS KO PO 1326 BURNET AVE.UNION NJ 07083…SALAMAT PO AT GOD BLESS YOU,,,,MANUEL
June 29, 2019 at 11:22 am
I do agree with all of the concepts you have presented in your post.
They’re rezlly convincing and will certainly work.
Still, thhe posts are too short for novices. May you please
prolong them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the
post.