iNet: KTB Agenda for National Transformation

           We, being a legitimate people's organization of the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence, in order to establish a government that shall embody our ideals, promote the general welfare, conserve and develop the patrimony of our Nation, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of democracy under a regime of justice, peace, liberty, and equality, do ordain and promulgate this Agenda for National Transformation.[i]

            We declare as our common, unconditional and irrevocable bond the following principles and policies:

            1. That civilian authority shall at all times be supreme over the military[ii];

            2. That there shall be separation of church and state[iii];

            3. That there shall be freedom of religion[iv].

            We dedicate our capabilities and resources to undertake the following reforms:

            Economic Reforms:

            1. Give highest priority to job creation and consumer price reduction, to attain full employment for the millions of unemployed and underemployed workers, and uplift the welfare of the entire consumer population; promote the massive establishment and expansion of enterprises by utilizing ALL available capital from BOTH local and foreign sources, and lift for this purpose the numerous restrictions on foreign investments that unduly protect the local monopolies and cartels; regulate rather than restrict foreign investments through the institution of a foreign investment council, with due regard to the protection of the basic securities of the state.

            (The economic reform measure seeks to benefit the middle class and the masa class, through the liberalization of foreign direct investments and the lifting of the various nationality requirements. The measure aim to create jobs (through the establishment of new business enterprises or expansion of existing business enterprises), reduce consumer prices (through the increase in supply of goods and services), transfer technologies, expand access to foreign markets, promote economic growth, strengthen free competition and enhance efficiency, by eliminating artificial legal barriers against foreign business competitors. Notably, these barriers benefit only the few elite monopolists and oligopolists, at the expense of the majority of the people particularly the workers and consumers who are unfairly deprived of job opportunities and cheaper goods and services. Thus, we have a substantial portion of our population working or seeking to work for foreign employers overseas, obviously because of the lack of job opportunities in the country. The measure also seeks to support the campaign against corruption through systemic change (by facilitating the entry of independent business competitors vis-a-vis the existing cartels of government suppliers). Nonetheless, the measure acknowledges the possible threats that may be posed by foreign investors to the basic securities of the state, and seeks to address these threats by establishing a review mechanism under a Foreign Investment Council that will be vested with authority to prohibit, suspend or impose conditions on covered foreign investment transactions[v].)

            Social Reforms:

            1. End impunity in human rights violations by state and non-state actors through the criminal prosecution of all responsible persons, starting with the most brazen crimes left untouched by the justice system, including those by government and/or para-military forces (i.e. Hacienda Luisita massacre[vi]), by rebel communist forces (i.e. Digos massacre[vii]) and by rebel separatist forces (i.e. Al-Barka massacre[viii]; Mamasapano massacre[ix]).

            2. End institutionalized plunder under the “pork barrel system” through the criminal prosecution of all responsible persons regardless of party affiliation, starting with the most notorious Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and the Priority Development Acceleration Fund (PDAF) respectively held unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Araullo v. Aquino[x] and Belgica v. Executive Secretary[xi].

            3. Correct historical distortions that blinded and misled the people towards unceasing infighting, by creating a Truth Commission to revisit the critical events that changed the fate of the nation, particularly the reported Jabidah massacre[xii] (that sparked the separatist insurgency), the Plaza Miranda bombing[xiii] (that revived the communist insurgency) and the Ninoy Aquino assassination[xiv] (that divided the nation).

            4. Seek genuine and lasting peace by pursuing the peace process with the separatist and communist rebels, based on the applied strategy of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), and subject always to the recognized rights of indigenous peoples as provided by the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act.[xv].

            5. Strengthen the social institution and revive the cultural heritage of the Southern Sultanates of Sulu, Maguindanao and Lanao, by amending the constitution to mandate congress to recognize by law the titles of royalty of the southern sultanates, subject to the sovereignty of the people, the powers of the government, the establishment of the State, the patrimony of the nation, and the integrity of the national territory.

            6. Institutionalize the protection of labor by ensuring that only those with appropriate qualifications AND actually come from the ranks of the workers, farmers and fishermen, are selected to head or manage the department of labor, or to serve as party-list representatives of the labor, peasant and fisherfolk sectors in congress.

            7. Manage the population, with due respect to the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception[xvi], as well as to the family as the basic social institution[xvii], by implementing the Reproductive Health Act as modified and approved by the Supreme Court in Imbong v. Ochoa[xviii], and by promoting natural family planning as provided in the Guiding Principles of the CBCP on Population Control[xix].

            Political Reforms:

            1. Secure the sanctity of the vote[xx] by adopting manual voting, automated counting (i.e. Optical Mark Reader system) and automated transmission and canvassing, with ALL the major security features (i.e. source code review, ballot verification, vote verification and digital signatures), PLUS voter’s receipt and FULL manual audit of the counting (i.e. voter’s receipt) and canvassing (i.e. election returns), to protect against massive electronic election fraud in the counting and/or canvassing;

            2. Harness collective wisdom in the leadership of the national government, ensure broad political support for government programs, and check graft and corruption through joint responsibility and accountability; institutionalize “collective rule” over “one-man rule”, through the adoption of a “unicameral parliamentary system” in place of the “bicameral presidential system”; the parliamentary system merges into one the political branches of the executive and the legislature, but leaves separate and independent the non-political branch of the judiciary.

            (The new system seeks to weaken the control or influence of the oligarchs over the national government, by dispersing the ultimate power of control from one individual to a group of representatives. Paradoxically, it also seeks to strengthen the political branch of government vis-à-vis the oligarchs, by merging the executive and legislative branches into one. The system further seeks to diminish the natural advantage of “rich and famous” candidates over competent but unpopular candidates, by replacing one large national constituency with several small local constituencies. Notably, in smaller constituencies, the manipulative mass media is less effective, and the voter has greater chances of knowing the real qualities of the candidate. Finally, it seeks to make the chief executive more accountable by facilitating his removal through a mere vote of “loss of confidence” in the assembly of representatives, instead of through a rigorous impeachment trial.)

            3. Harness collective wisdom in the leadership of the local government, ensure broad political support for government programs, and check graft and corruption through joint responsibility and accountability; institutionalize “collective rule” over “one-man rule”, through the adoption of a “council type system” in place of the “mayor type system”; the council system merges into one the local legislative council and the office of the local chief executive.

            (The new system seeks to weaken the control or influence of family dynasties over the local government by dispersing the ultimate power of control from one individual to a group of representatives. Paradoxically, it also seeks to strengthen the local government vis-à-vis the local family dynasties, by merging into one the office of the local chief executive and the local legislative council. The system further seeks to diminish the natural advantage of “rich and famous” candidates over competent but unpopular candidates, by replacing one large local constituency with several small local constituencies. Notably, in smaller constituencies, the manipulative mass media is less effective, and the voter has greater chances of knowing the real qualities of the candidate. Finally, it seeks to make the local chief executive more accountable by facilitating his removal through a mere vote of “loss of confidence” in the council, instead of through rigorous administrative proceedings or criminal prosecution.)

            4. Bring the government closer to the people through the gradual adoption of the semi-federal or federal system throughout the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao archipelago. The semi-federal system involves the creation of a regional authority or an autonomous region, while the federal system involves the establishment of a sub-state. The evolutionary process shall be guided by the following twin principles: that the decision-makers are readily accessible to the people, and that local resources benefit the local people.

            (The regional authority is a national government agency, the autonomous region a local government unit and the sub-state a component state of a federal republic. The gradual process may start with an executive order, progress to a congressional statute, and end with a constitutional amendment. The creation of a regional authority does not require a plebiscite, but the establishment of an autonomous region or a sub-state requires a plebiscite.)

           

KILUSAN NG MGA TAGAPAGTANGGOL NG BAYAN (KTB)

Makati City, Luzon. 21 August 2015.
Cebu City, Visayas. 21 August 2015
Davao City, Mindanao. 21 August 2015

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[i]See 1973 Constitution, Preamble. See 1987 Constitution, Preamble.

[ii]1973 Constitution, Article II, Section 8. 1987 Constitution, Article II, Section 3.

[iii]1973 Constitution, Article XV, Section 15. 1987 Constitution, Article II, Section 6.

[iv]1973 Constitution, Article IV, Section 8. 1987 Constitution, Article III, Section 5.

[v] See US Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended by FINSA, Section 721 (50 U.S.C. App. 2170). Executive Order No. 11858 (as amended by Executive Order No. 13456), re Foreign Investment in the United States.

[vi]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ab1ux2DiHw

[vii]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P1dp95xlC4

[viii]http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/10/19/11/al-barka-how-villagers-killed-marines-special-forces-troops

[ix]http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/453777/news/nation/pnoy-ultimately-responsible-for-mamasapano-massacre-senate-panel

[x]G.R. No. 209287, 01 July 2014.

[xi]G.R. No. 208566, 19 November 2013.

[xii]18 March 1968.

[xiii]21 August 1971.

[xiv]21 August 1983.

[xv] Rep. Act No. 8371, The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.

[xvi]1987 Constitution, Article II, Section 12.

[xvii]Id.

[xviii] G.R. No. 204819, 08 April 2014.

[xix] http://cbcponline.net/v2/?p=317

[xx]1973 Constitution, Article VI, Section 1. 1987 Constitution, Article V, Section 2.

The Davao Declaration: We must now transform our vision into reality

DAVAO DECLARATION: WE MUST NOW TRANSFORM OUR VISION INTO REALITY

5 December A.D. 2014/12 Safar A.H. 1436

HAVING FOLLOWED WITH ABIDING INTEREST THE VARIOUS ASSEMBLIES CONVENED EARLIER BY HE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL, AND SHARING THE COUNCIL'S DECLARED VISION FOR OUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE, WE, CITIZENS FORM VARIOUS PARTS OF MINDANAO AND OTHER REGIONS, MET IN DAVAO CITY THIS 5 DECEMBER A.D. 2014/12 SAFAR A.H. 1436 TO UNITE OUR EFFORTS WITH THOSE OF THE COUNCIL IN SEEKING TO TRANSFORM OUR LAND INTO A WELL-RUN, PEACEFUL, GOD-LOVING AND PROSPEROUS DEMOCRATIC NATION.

WE BELIEVE THAT REGIME AND SYSTEMS CHANGE, AS PROPOSED BY THE COUNCIL AND SUPPORTED FULLY BY THE PREVIOUS ASSEMBLIES, IS THE ONLY VALID COURSE OF ACTION FOR OUR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE, AND THAT WE MUST EXERT ALL EFFORTS TO ATTAIN THIS OBJECTIVE AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME.

WE AFFIRM AND ADOPT AS OUR OWN THE DECLARATIONS ISSUED BY THE PREVIOUS ASSEMBLIES AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO UNDERTAKE SUCH LAWFUL ACTION AS IS NECESSARY AND DESIRABLE TO TRANSFORM THE MORAL, POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER OF THE NATION.

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS OF VARYING MAGNITUDE HAVE COMPELLED THE PREVIOUS ASSEMBLIES TO DEMAND THAT THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION PROMPTLY ADDRESS EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS. BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN FORTHCOMING. THE NATION REMAINS SADDLED WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS ON TOP OF AN UNCARING ADMINISTRATION WHOSE VERY EXISTENCE IS IN CONTINUED VIOLATION OF THE MORAL ORDER AND THE CONSTITUTION.

WE DEPLORE THE PRESIDENT'S CONTINUED STRANGLEHOLD UPON CONGRESS, IN VIOLATION OF THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AND THE DOCTRINE OF CHECKS AND BALANCES AMONG THE THREE CO-EQUAL AND COORDINATE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AS GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION.

WE DEPLORE THE ONGOING EFFORT OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO RAILROAD A P2.6 TRILLION 2015 BUDGET WHICH RESURRECTS ALL THE LUMP SUM DISCRETIONARY APPROPRIATIONS, WHICH THE SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL WHEN IT VOIDED THE PORK BARREL SYSTEM, CONSISTING OF THE PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND AND THE DISBURSEMENT ACCELERATION PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED 2014 P23-BILLION SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET, REPORTEDLY TO FUND PROJECTS WHICH THE PRESIDENT HAD CREATED WITHOUT THE REQUIRED CONSENT OF CONGRESS, BUT WHICH LOST THEIR FUNDING WHEN THE HIGH COURT VOIDED THE DAP.

WE DEPLORE THE FAILURE, IF NOT DOWNRIGHT REFUSAL, OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO COMPLY WITH THE SUPREME COURT'S EXPRESS DIRECTIVE TO PROSECUTE ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND ILLEGAL MANIPULATION AND MISUSE OF THE DAP, INVOLVING AT LEAST TWO HUNDRED BILLION PESOS.

WE DEPLORE THE FAILURE OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO PROMPTLY AND ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THE NATIONWIDE TRANSPORTATION CRISIS, THE ENERGY AND ELECTRIC POWER CRISIS, THE WATER AND FOOD SUPPLY CRISIS, THE PEACE AND ORDER CRISIS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS, AND ABOVE ALL, THE NATIONAL GOVERNANCE CRISIS, WHICH BEGINS WITH PRESIDENT AQUINO'S VIRTUAL CONTROL OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE CONDUCT OF ALL ELECTIONS.

AS MINDANAOANS, WE SPECIFICALLY LAMENT THE ADMINISTRATION'S HALF-BAKED EFFORTS TO PASS A BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW WITHOUT SUFFICIENT CONSULTATIONS WITH ALL THE AFFECTED PARTIES IN MINDANAO AND BEYOND, WHICH IS INDISPENSABLE IN CREATING THE CONSENSUS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY SUPPORT THE LAW'S MOST AMBITIOUS PROVISIONS. THIS IS MOST UNFAIR AND UNJUST TO ALL MUSLIM FILIPINOS AND ALL OTHER FILIPINOS, WHO LOOK FORWARD TO LONG LASTING PEACE AND PROSPERITY THROUGH A MEANINGFUL, AUTONOMOUS STRUCTURE.

AS MINDANOANS, WE DEPLORE THE FAILURE OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO HELP THE LOWLY COCONUT FARMERS ACQUIRE WHAT IS DUE THEM, BY PASSIVELY STANDING B WHILE A GROUP OF ELITIST POLITICIANS AND THEIR CRONIES TRIES TO TORPEDO AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD FINALLY GIVE THE FARMERS THE RIGHT TO USE THEIR OWN FUNDS COMING FROM THE COCONUT LEVY.

THIS LIST OF GRIEVANCES IS MERELY ILLUSTRATIVE, RATHER THAN EXHAUSTIVE, BUT WHEREAS EACH OF THESE PROBLEMS NEEDS AND DESERVES A SPECIFIC SOLUTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT NO SOLUTIONS IS POSSIBLE WHILE THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT IS IN OFFICE. THE SOLUTION WILL COME ONLY UPON THE REMOVAL OF THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT, AND ITS REPLACEMENT BY A MORE RESPONSIBLE AND CARING GOVERNMENT.

FOR THIS REASON, WE UNANIMOUSLY DECLARE THAT THE TIME TO COMPEL PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO STEP DOWN IS NOW, THAT THAT AT THE END OF THIS DAVAO ASSEMBLY, THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL SHOULD EMBARK UPON A NATIONWIDE MOBILIZATION EFFORT IN ORDER TO TRANSFORM IT VISION INTO REALITY.

DONE IN THE CITY OF DAVAO, 5 DECEMBER A.D. 2014 / 12 SAFAR A.H. 1436.

The Pampanga Declaration: Step Up the Campaign for Regime and Systems Change

THE CENTRAL LUZON DECLARATION

STEP UP THE CAMPAIGN FOR REGIME AND SYSTEMS CHANGE, MAKE CENTRAL LUZON JUETENG-FREE AND TURN THE FORMER US BASES (CLARK AND SUBIC) INTO AN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTIC HUB FOR TRANSPORT, TRADE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT.

3 DECEMBER A.D. 2014/10 SAFAR. A.H. 1436

DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NATION'S WORSENING MORAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS, AND THE GOVERNMENT'S UTTER FAILURE TO RESPOND TO IT, WE WHO REPRESENT THE BROAD POPULATION OF CENTRAL LUZON, TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS FROM VARIOUS PART OF THE COUNTRY, GATHERED AT ANGELES CITY THIS 3 DECEMBER A.D. 2014/10 SAFAR A.H. 1436/ TO AIR OUR MOST URGENT GRIEVANCES AND GRAVEST CONCERNS TO THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL, AND TO PROCLAIM OUR UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT FOR THE COUNCIL'S CALL FOR IMMEDIATE REGIME AND SYSTEMS CHANGE.

GUIDED BY THE OBJECTIVE MORAL LAW AND THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, WE HEREBY AFFIRM AND ADOPT AS OUR OWN THE MAJOR POINTS EMBODIES IN THE LIPA DECLARATION OF 27 AUGUST A.D. 2014/2 DHU AL-QA'DA A.H. 1435, THE CEBU DECLARATION OF 1 OCTOBER A.D. 2014/7 DHU AL-HIJRAH A.H. 1435, AND THE BUTUAN DECLARATION OF 11 NOVEMBER A.D. 2014/18 MUHARRAM A.H. 1435.

WITH THE LIPA ASSEMBLY, WE SIMULTANEOUSLY DECLARE THAT PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO 3RD HAS LOST HIS MORAL RIGHT TO LEAD THE NATION, AND HAS BECOME A DANGER TO THE PHILIPPINE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN STATE AND TO THE PEACE, FREEDOM, SECURITY AND MORAL AND SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING OF THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.

WITH THE SAME ASSEMBLY, WE UNEQUIVOCALLY CALL ON PRESIDENT AQUINO TO IMMEDIATELY RELINQUISH HIS POSITION, AND ON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO ASSUME THE URGENT AND NECESSARY TASK OF RESTORING OUR DAMAGED POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN TO CONSIDER ELECTING A NEW GOVERNMENT UNDER NORMAL POLITICAL CONDITIONS.

WITH THE CEBU ASSEMBLY, WE LIKEWISE CALL ON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO PURSUE ALL NECESSARY AND LAWFUL MEANS TO COMPEL PRESIDENT AQUINO TO STEP DOWN AT THE SOONEST POSSIBLE TIME AND TO IMMEDIATELY ORGANIZE AN ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT COMPOSED OF MEN AND WOMEN OF INTEGRITY AND PROVEN WORTH.

WE CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE FILING OF CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST ALL THE OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN THE MISUSE OF THE PORK BARREL SYSTEM, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND AND DISBURSEMENT ACCELERATION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO THE DIRECTIVE CONTAINED IN THE SUPREME COURT RULING DECLARING THE PDAF AND THE DAP UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

WE CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AS A CONDITIO SINE QUA NON FOR THE HOLDING OF ANY FUTURE ELECTION, THE FORMAL PROSECUTION BEFORE THE SANDIGANBAYAN OF ALL THE COMELECT OFFICIALS CHARGED WITH THE RIGGING THE 2010 AND 2013 ELECTIONS, AND ALL INCUMBENT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO "OVERSPENT" IN THE LAST ELECTIONS.

WITH THE BUTUAN ASSEMBLY, WE CALL FOR MORE EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS ON THE PROPOSED BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW, NOW PENDING IN CONGRESS, AND FOR SPEEDING UP THE PROPOSED FEDERALIZATION AGENDA FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO ENHANCE THE MOST EQUITABLE, SIMULTANEOUS EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALL THE REGIONS.

WE LIKEWISE CALL ON THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO FIND AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION TO THE ELECTRIC POWER CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY INSTEAD OF MANIPULATING THE SITUATION TO JUSTIFY THE PROPOSAL TO GRANT EMERGENCY POWERS TO THE PRESIDENT, WHICH WILL SIMPLY ADD NEW BURDENS TO OUR PEOPLE, WHILE ALLOWING MONOPOLIST GROUPS TO RETAIN CONTROL OF POWER DISTRIBUTION EVERYWHERE, ESPECIALLY IN MINDANAO.

WE DENOUNCE THE UNCONTROLLED RESURGENCE OF JUETENG IN PAMPANGA AND ITS NEIGHBORING PROVINCES, WHICH CORRUPTS THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AND PROMOTES POLITICAL DYNASTIES IN THE REGION, THE SHARP DETERIORATION OF PEACE AND ORDER AND THE LOCAL POLITICAL CULTURE BECAUSE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT, AND THE CONTINUED WASTED POTENTIAL OF CLARK, SUBIC AND THE PACIFIC COAST AS A DEVELOPMENT HUB IN CENTRAL LUZON.

WE THEREFORE CALL ON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO HELP EXPOSE THE SURGE OF JUETENG-RELATED CORRUPTION AND DISMANTLE THE CRIMINAL SYNDICATE AND POLITICAL MACHINERY CREATED BY SUCH CORRUPTION, AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF POWERFUL NATIONAL POLITICIANS.

FINALLY, WE CALL ON THE COUNCIL TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLARK, SUBIC AND THE PACIFIC COAST AS AN INTERNATIONAL HUB FOR TRANSPORTATION, TOURISM AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS BE GIVEN TOP PRIORITY BY THE NEXT GOVERNMENT, GIVING FULL VALUE TO THE PLANS AND PROGRAMS EMANATING FROM THE GROUND.

DONE IN ANGELES CITY, PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA THIS 3 DECEMBER A.D. 2014/10 SAFAR A.H. 1436.

Bangsamoro Law triggered resurgence of moves for federal government, say advocates

Bangsamoro Law triggered resurgence of moves for federal government, say advocates

The Butuan Declaration: Peace and Good Governance in the Country should begin in Mindanao

THE BUTUAN DECLARATION:
PEACE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE COUNTRY
SHOULD BEGIN IN MINDANAO

RECALLING THE TWO ASSEMBLIES CONVENED EARLIER BY THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL IN LIPA ON AUGUST 27, 2014 AND CEBU ON OCTOBER 1, 2014, AND DESIRING TO SEIZE THE MOMENTUM AND BUILD UPON THE GAINS ACHIEVED BY THOSE ASSEMBLIES, WE WHO BROADLY REPRESENT THE VARIOUS CONCERNED SECTORS AND CONSTITUENCIES OF EASTERN AND NORTHERN MINDANAO, TOGETHER WITH OUR ALLIES FROM OTHER PARTS OF MINDANAO, FROM BASILAN, THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO, AND FROM LUZON AND THE VISAYAS, HAVE COME TOGETHER IN BUTUAN CITY THIS 11TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2014, TO PROCLAIM OUR SUPPORT FOR AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE IMMEDIATE REALIZATION OF THE DECLARED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL.

WE COMMEND THE INITIATIVES OF THE TWO PREVIOUS ASSEMBLIES, EXPRESS FULL AND UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT FOR THE LIPA DECLARATION—“AN URGENT CALL FOR NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION”—OF AUGUST 27, 2014 AND THE CEBU DECLARATION—“DEFINING THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION”—OF OCTOBER 1, 2014, AND BIND OURSELVES TO UNDERTAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO HELP BRING THEM TO FRUITION.

GATHERED HERE IN BUTUAN SO CLOSE TO THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF SUPER TYPHOON HAIYAN/YOLANDA, WHICH FLATTENED TACLOBAN CITY AND DEVASTATED MUCH OF THE VISAYAS AND THE CALAMIANES ON NOVEMBER 8, 2013, AND THE 7.2 EARTHQUAKE THAT EARLIER DESTROYED CENTURIES-OLD CHURCHES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND HOMES IN CEBU AND BOHOL ON OCTOBER 15, 2013, AND ON THE EVE OF THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE FLOODS THAT KILLED AND INJURED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, AND DISPLACED THOUSANDS PARTICULARLY IN DAVAO ORIENTAL AND COMPOSTELA VALLEY ON DECEMBER 4, 2012, AND SHARING THE SUFFERING OF THE VICTIMS OF THESE TRAGEDIES AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE WAITED IN VAIN FOR ADEQUATE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IN THEIR RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION, WE RAISE OUR VOICES IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF THESE COMMUNITIES TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO CAME TO THEIR AID AND COMFORT DURING THEIR HOUR OF GREATEST NEED, AND TO EXPRESS GRAVE DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE WAY THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO RESPOND ADEQUATELY TO THESE CRISES.

WE JOIN THE PEOPLE OF TACLOBAN, THE VISAYAS, AND THE CALAMIANES IN DEMANDING A FULL AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTING OF THE MONEY AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE, WHICH THE AQUINO GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, MULTILATERAL INSTITUTIONS, AND OTHER DONORS, AND HOW, WHERE AND WHEN THEY WERE USED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE VICTIMS.

AT THIS TIME OF SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINDANAO, WE EXPRESS GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE CAVALIER WAY THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION HAS TREATED THE “MINDANAO PROBLEM.” WE ARE DETERMINED TO FIND A JUST AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, ONE THAT WILL BRING ABOUT TRUE AND LASTING PEACE, AND A RADICAL CHANGE FOR THE BETTER IN THE LIVES OF ALL OUR PEOPLE.

WITH GREAT SADNESS, HOWEVER, WE MUST SAY THAT THE PROPOSED BANGSAMORO BASIC LAW (BBL), NOW PENDING IN CONGRESS, IS NOT THE FRUIT OF HONEST AND SINCERE CONSULTATIONS WITH OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND THEIR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

THIS THREATENS TO FALSIFY OUR PEOPLE’S DEEPEST LONGING FOR GENUINE SELF-MANAGEMENT OF THEIR OWN AFFAIRS, AND INSTEAD TO CREATE NEW DIVISIONS, DISUNITY AND DISCONTENT, BOTH AMONG THOSE WHO ARE PART AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT PART OF THE NEW ENTITY TO BE CREATED UNDER THE BBL.

WE THEREFORE ASK THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO INTENSIFY GENUINE CONSULTATIONS WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN ORDER TO COME UP WITH A REAL SOLUTION COMING FROM THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES RATHER THAN FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES.

WE SPECIFICALLY ASK THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ADVANCING THE FEDERALIZATION AGENDA FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AS THE ULTIMATE MEASURE TO ENSURE THE MOST EQUITABLE, SIMULTANEOUS EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ALL THE REGIONS, AND NOT JUST OF THOSE IN MINDANAO ALONE.

AS CONTINUED HOSTAGE-TAKING FOR RANSOM AND OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES BY THE ABU SAYYAF GROUP IN THE SULU-SIPADAN AREA THREATEN TO TURN OUR REGION INTO AN UGLY COUNTERPART OF SOMALIA, THE HOME COUNTRY OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS PERPETRATORS OF PIRACY AND KIDNAPPING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN AND THE HORN OF AFRICA, WE CALL UPON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO DEMAND A CREATIVE APPROACH TO THIS PROBLEM THAT WILL DRAW THE VARIOUS GROUPS INVOLVED IN THESE ACTIVITIES INTO LAWFUL AND LUCRATIVE PURSUITS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE VARIOUS COMMUNITIES IN THE AREA.

AS THE WORSENING ENERGY SITUATION THREATENS TO THROW MINDANAO BACK INTO A NEW DARK AGE, WE LIKEWISE CALL UPON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO INTERVENE AND DEMAND A SOLEMN COMMITMENT FROM THE AQUINO REGIME THAT IT WILL PUT AN END TO MONOPOLIST ACTIVITIES WHICH IS TRYING TO SEIZE CONTROL OF POWER DISTRIBUTION IN MINDANAO AND BEYOND, THROUGH THE USE OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE, INTIMIDATION AND FORCE.

IN DIRECT RELATION TO THE FOREGOING PROBLEM, WE MANIFEST OUR SOLIDARITY WITH THE MILLIONS OF MEMBER-CONSUMERS OF AUTHENTIC ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, WHOSE RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP BY VIRTUE OF THEIR CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION ARE BEING IGNORED AND VIOLATED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO ACT TO PROTECT SOME BIG BUSINESSES RATHER THAN THE PEOPLE’S INTEREST. THE ACTUATIONS OF THIS REGIME’S OFFICIALS SHOW THEIR CONTEMPT FOR THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT AND THE LATTER’S FUNCTION OF CORRECTING SOCIAL INEQUITY, PROMOTING SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND ENABLING THEIR MILLIONS OF MEMBERS TO ATTAIN SUSTAINABILITY IN THEIR ENDEAVOR TO ENJOY THE BASIC LIFE-BLESSINGS THAT MAKE FOR A DIGNIFIED LIFE OF FRUGAL COMFORT.

IN THE FACE OF THE EVIDENT INCREASINGLY SEVERE DETERIORATION OF THE MORAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL FABRIC OF OUR SOCIETY, WE CALL UPON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL TO SPEED UP ITS EFFORT TO COMPEL PRESIDENT BENIGNO S. AQUINO 3RD TO RELINQUISH HIS POSITION, SO THAT THE EARNEST WORK OF NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COULD BEGIN. MORE THAN EVER, WE BELIEVE THAT PEACE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE COUNTRY MUST BEGIN IN MINDANAO.

DONE IN THE CITY OF BUTUAN, THIS 11TH DAY OF NOVEMBER A.D. 2014 / 18th DAY OF MUHARRAM A.H. 1436.

The Cebu Declaration: Defining the First Steps toward National Transformation

THE CEBU DECLARATION:

DEFINING THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION

ENCOURAGED BY THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST OPEN ASSEMBLY CONVENED IN LIPA CITY, BATANGAS BY THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL ON AUGUST 27, A.D. 2014 / DHU AL-QA’DA 2, A.H. 1453, WE WHO BROADLY REPRESENT THE CITIZENRY, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DELEGATES FROM THE VISAYAS AND MINDANAO, HAVE GATHERED IN CEBU CITY ON OCTOBER 1, A.D. 2014 / DHU AL-HIJJAH 7, A.H. 1453 TO PROCLAIM OUR SUPPORT FOR THE LIPA DECLARATION AND TO PROPOSE CONCRETE AND IMMEDIATE STEPS TO TRANSLATE THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE OF NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION INTO A VIABLE PROGRAM OF ACTION.

WE NOTED WITH GREAT PAIN THAT WHILE THE MORAL AND SPIRITUAL CRISIS AND ITS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS CONTINUED TO DEEPEN, THE NATIONAL POLITICAL LEADERSHIP CONSISTENTLY FAILED TO SHOW THE WILL OR THE CAPACITY TO RESPOND TO THESE ILLS IN ANY APPRECIABLE MEASURE.

ASIDE FROM THE GRAVE PROBLEMS WHICH PROMPTED THE LIPA ASSEMBLY TO CALL ON THE PRESIDENT TO IMMEDIATELY STEP DOWN, VARIOUS NEW ISSUES HAVE SINCE EMERGED, TO WHICH THE INCUMBENT ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY RESPOND.  THESE INCLUDE:

1       1)   THE EXACERBATED TENSIONS AMONG THE COMMUNITIES OF MINDANAO AND THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE AQUINO ADMINISTRATION TO ADEQUATELY CONSULT ALL THE CONSTITUENCIES AND STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PEACEBUILDING EFFORT, THUS REVIVING THE ATTRACTION OF ISLAMIST EXTREMISM;

2) THE TOTAL FAILURE, IF NOT DOWNRIGHT REFUSAL, OF THE AQUINO REGIME TO COMPLY WITH A DIRECT ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT TO FILE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST ALL THE LAWMAKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE GRAVE MISUSE OF THE PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FUND (PDAF) AND THE DISBURSEMENT ACCELERATION PROGRAM (DAP), BOTH OF WHICH THE COURT HAD UNANIMOUSLY DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL;

3) THE TOTAL ABSENCE OF ANY OFFICIAL EFFORT TO REFORM THE AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM, WHICH WAS THOROUGHLY CORRUPTED AND DEBASED BY THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (COMELEC) IN ITS EFFORT TO PRODUCE “MACHINE-MADE” AND “DE FACTO” HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DURING THE 2010 PRESIDENTIAL AND THE 2013 SENATORIAL ELECTIONS, BUT WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION IS ONCE AGAIN PREPARING TO USE IN THE PROJECTED 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, WITHOUT RESTORING THE SAFETY FEATURES AND ACCURACY MECHANISMS WHICH THE COMELEC HAD ILLEGALLY REMOVED IN THE PREVIOUS TWO ELECTIONS;

4) THE UNPRECEDENTED YET UNPROSECUTED AND UNPUNISHED CORRUPTION IN THE TOP LEADERSHIP OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP), WHICH HAS THOROUGHLY DEMORALIZED THE PNP RANK AND FILE AND SUBSTANTIALLY ERODED PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR AND CONFIDENCE IN THE LAW ENFORCERS;

5) THE ARBITRARY IMPOSITION OF UNREASONABLE TAXES ON THE POOR, INCLUDING THE SMALLEST SARI-SARI STORE OWNERS AND SIDEWALK VENDORS, ON THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONS AND ON ALL RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS, WITHOUT ANY PUBLIC HEARING OR ACCOUNTING, OSTENSIBLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING REVENUE TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, BUT IN EFFECT FEEDING THE ADMINISTRATION AND NOMINAL OPPOSITION POLITICIANS’ INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR CORRUPTION; 

6) THE UNRESOLVED ELECTRIC POWER CRISIS WHICH HAS BROUGHT ABOUT THE MOST EXPENSIVE ELECTRICITY RATES IN THE WORLD AMID EXTENDED POWER OUTAGES THAT THREATEN TO THROW BACK THE COUNTRY INTO A LITERALLY DARK AGE, AND FOR WHICH THE ONLY SOLUTION IMAGINED BY THE ADMINISTRATION IS THE GRANT OF EMERGENCY POWERS TO PRESIDENT AQUINO.

IN LIGHT OF ALL THESE, AND RECALLING ALL THE POINTS RAISED IN THE LIPA DECLARATION, WE CALL UPON THE NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION COUNCIL:

1)      TO NOW PURSUE ALL NECESSARY AND AVAILABLE  LAWFUL MEANS TO COMPEL PRESIDENT AQUINO TO STEP DOWN AT THE SOONEST POSSIBLE TIME;

2)      TO IMMEDIATELY ORGANIZE AN ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT, CONSISTING OF MEN AND WOMEN OF INTEGRITY AND PROVEN WORTH, IN ORDER TO ASSURE THE NATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT PRESIDENT AQUINO’S REMOVAL AND THE PROSECUTION AND IMPRISONMENT OF EVERY CULPABLE MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR CORRUPTION WILL NOT CREATE A POLITICAL VACUUM;

3)   TO INITIATE SUFFICIENTLY EXTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY AND OTHER CONSTITUENCIES IN SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES IN ORDER TO ARRIVE AT AN AUTHENTIC CONSENSUS ON HOW TO SOLVE THE LONG-FESTERING INTERCULTURAL PROBLEM IN THE AREA, FREE FROM UNWARRANTED INTERVENTION BY ANY FOREIGN INTERESTED PARTY;

4)   TO ACTIVELY SUPPORT THE CALL AND EFFORT OF concerned citizens to establish a People's Truth Commission to discover and reveal the accountability and any consequent liability of HIGH OFFICIALS OF the AQUINO administration, arising from its massive MISUSE of public funds through the Disbursement Acceleration Program that has been ruled unconstitutional by unanimous vote of the Supreme Court;

5)   TO CAUSE THE IMMEDIATE FILING OF CRIMINAL CASES AGAINST ALL THE SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN, MEMBERS OF THE CABINET, THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT AND THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE MISUSE OF THE PDAF AND THE DAP FROM 2010 TO DATE, AND TO USE WHATEVER PUBLIC PRESSURE IS NECESSARY TO MAKE ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THESE CASES TO IMMEDIATELY VACATE THEIR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS;

6)   TO VIGOROUSLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF CONCERNED CITIZENS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT AS LONG AS THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM REMAINS AN INSTRUMENT OF ELECTORAL SABOTAGE PERPETRATED BY CORRUPT OFFICIALS OF THE COMELEC IN COLLUSION WITH DISHONEST POLITICIANS, ELECTIONS ARE HARMFUL TO DEMOCRACY AND TO THE PEOPLE;

7)      TO AMPLIFY THE CALL OF THESE CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR SYSTEMS CHANGE TOWARD NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION AS THE ONLY REALISTIC MEANS TO ABOLISH THE UTTERLY CORRUPT COMELEC, ESTABLISH AN HONEST AND CREDIBLE ELECTORAL BODY, AND CARRY OUT OTHER REFORMS NEEDED TO RESTORE THE INTEGRITY AND CREDIBILITY OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS;

8)      TO ORGANIZE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE PNP RANK AND FILE IN THEIR CALL FOR A THOROUGH CLEANUP OF THE PNP AND AN IMMEDIATE CHANGE IN ITS TOP LEADERSHIP;

9)      TO STRONGLY SUPPORT THE CITIZENS’ RESISTANCE TO THE IMPOSITION OF UNREASONABLE TAXES AND THEIR CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY OF GOVERNMENT TAX COLLECTION AGENCIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, IN THE COLLECTION OF TAXES AND THE APPROPRIATION AND SPENDING OF GOVERNMENT REVENUES FROM TAXATION

10)  TO ORGANIZE A PANEL OF EXPERTS WHO WILL CRAFT A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THE COUNTRY’S ENERGY REQUIREMENTS IN A MANNER FREE OF BIAS FOR ANY PARTICULAR ENERGY SOURCE AND TAKING INTO PRIMARY CONSIDERATION THE INTERESTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE CONSUMERS RATHER THAN THOSE OF THE VARIOUS ACTORS IN THE POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION CHAIN.

INVOKING THE AID OF ALMIGHTY GOD THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MOST MERCIFUL, AND REPOSING OUR TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN THE FILIPINO PEOPLE, WE PRAY THAT ALL THESE MAY COME TO PASS SOON.

DONE IN CEBU CITY, THIS 1^ST DAY OF OCTOBER A.D. 2014 / 7^TH DAY OF DHU AL-HIJJAH A.H. 1453.