Manifesto Calling for Moral Transformation in Our Government

For the past few months, the issues in the government have been rampant, following one after another. The conspicuous events have led others to speculate a cover up done by the government. Extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances and abuses have stained the memories of the Filipinos. Personal political interests have been prioritized as seen in the fertilizer scam and north rail projects.

The Filipino citizenry has desperately tolerated the blows on its state. They have experienced threats on their safety, livelihood and government. Different sectors have taken steps in making their voices heard: NGOs campaigning for their stands, students partaking in rallies and religious sects stepping up in the area of politics. Now, the citizenry itself is in danger not because of any immoral or illegal external reasons but because of the lack of value in upholding the truth within the Government.

Very recently, an initially dormant issue, the ZTE-NBN Broadband deal brought up by Joey de Venecia, has been revived through the surfacing of Mr. Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. and his full testimony. Mr. Lozada, who went missing for several hours since returning to Manila last February 5, 2008, held a press conference at about three a.m. Thursday, upon surfacing at La Salle Greenhills in San Juan City, Metro Manila. His complete disclosure of the events: from the phone call to the abduction and to the personalities involved, has stunned the whole country. The open senate session of Lozada's inquiry allowed the elaboration and uncovering of the unstated events concerning the ZTE deal allegedly brokered by former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, how the government tried to stop him from reaching the senate and the other personalities allegedly included in the deal, namely the then NEDA Director General Romulo Neri. He was also able to validate Mr. Joey de Venecia's former statement in the involvement of the First Gentleman in the arrangement. The administration would later on dismiss Lozada’s claims as bogus and mere hearsay.

During the senate hearing last February 8, 2008, his credibility was challenged by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. She stated that it was ironic for Lozada to target on the overpricing of the government projects wherein he himself has done the deed being the head of the PhilForestry Corp. "Mea culpa. I admit to that," Lozada said in response. "I'd say I've lost some self-respect in what I have done before because I thought it was the norm in the government. But the little respect that I have left, I want to keep. If I go along with the ZTE project, I am going to lose my soul. I do not want to lose my soul." Senator Francis Escudero expressed his belief on the matter, "I find him credible. It takes one to know one. As the saying goes, it takes a thief to catch another,"

Lozada's act gathered support from the different sectors of the society, particularly the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines. "He [Lozada] must tell the truth and nothing but the truth," the bishops' president, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, said in a statement. Protesters from the leftist Akbayan group held a noise barrage a few meters away from the Senate, with each protester armed with a whistle, in support of the whistleblowers like Lozada.

In the 7 years under the presidency of GMA, we have witnessed a distorted leadership and a government full of cover ups and political factions. The promise of transparency and good governance has constantly been ignored and instead replaced by a system rooted in greed and lies; driven by the satisfaction of personal interests. In addition to the corruption and inefficiency of the government, we have witnessed the threats they pose on the safety and security of the civil society.

We will not remain a captured state. The liars and oppressors have held too long to their powers. They have depleted this nation of any traces of the majesty and beauty it once held. We condemn this breed of the powerful that have utilized political position, kinship, and patron-client relationship for the promotion and protection of their personal interests and gains. Too long have the welfare and safety of our citizens and environment been sacrificed to pacify the greed of these individuals.

We condemn such a morally bankrupt government. We have witnessed nothing but lies and personal interests amongst the members of our government. We witnessed scandal after scandal in as short a time as 7 years within the top positions of our nation, most especially amongst the first family. That is why, we call on the government to take responsibility for theseallegations and we call the judiciary arm of the government to punish those responsible to the full extent of the law, regardless of what position thesepeople hold. If we truly desire a moral revolution in our government, then we can no longer afford to allow these “sinners” to roam free and continuously kill our dying sense of nationalism and morality.

We demand for the strict implementation of the division of functions in the government. The roles of each division should be clearly stipulated not only in writing but also in the application. We call on the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to stand by its oath to serve and protect our citizens. Sadly, too often have we heard notable people from these organizations turn into the oppressors and violators of the civil state and the constitution. Aside from these, the executive branch has seemingly lost its recognition of the Congress’ autonomy, particularly from the house of representatives. In addition, the COMELEC, along with other departments, have
been cited as conniving and interfering with other existing divisions for the benefit of those in power. Therefore, we call on every division of the government to uphold their integrity and independence from one another, and to be fully transparent and accountable with their actions.

We call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to relinquish her position as the President of the Philippines, within constitutional means. The occurrences under her 7 year governance are hard evidences against her inefficiency and ineligibility. The lack of legitimacy in the 2004 elections, violations of human rights and the corruption scandals: ZTE, fertilizer scam and Transco deal, which surfaced under her governance, are among the few flaws that could not be tolerated or ignored. She has lost the credibility to make unbiased decisions and actions regarding these issues, as her own family members are presumably involved. She had the entire 7 years to live out her promise of a good and transparent government. Banking on the economic progress is an inadequate reason for her to stay in the position.

We call on the Filipino people to unite in its quest for the truth and to have the moral courage to stand up for what is right. We believe that the efforts to cover up the truth will always fail. No secret will remain in the dark forever. They may be able to cover up their lies now with more lies, but all of these will eventually shed its true color at the proper time. If we earnestly seek the truth, we believe that we will eventually find it. Moreover, we appeal to the civil society to protect those who speak the truth, regardless of their background, occupation and status. We must defend those who have the courage to step up and take the risk of telling the truth, these people are an integral part of our nation’s transformation.

If we do not move now to transform our morally bankrupt government, there may be nothing more for us and for our children to inherit. This problem has plagued our country for generations. Now is the time for change. We call on the Lasallian community to take the initiative to educate themselves and not be apathetic to these issues, and to be part of the social transformation that
our own Lasallian brothers are seeking for. Let us take to heart what our Lasallian brothers have taught us, that the call for change in the government is not just “a ningas kugon” movement, but a continuous struggle that Filipinos, who have a real and genuine love for their country, must participate on.












Bibliography:
Internet:
Danao, E. L, Samonte, S. A. & Dipasupil, W. B. (2008). Lozada pins down Abalos .
Retrieved February 10, 2008 from
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/feb/08/yehey/topstories/20080208top1.
html (Manila Times, Feb 8, 2008)
Herrera, C. F. & Magaray, F. V. (2008). Lozada pleads guilty to permissible
corruption. Retrieved February 10, 2008 from
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news2_feb9_2008
Legaspi, A. (2008). Lozada has no moral stature to criticize President – Rep. Mikey
Arroyo. Retrieved February 10, 2008 from
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/79966/Lozada-has-no-m oral-stature-to-
criticize-President--Rep-Mikey-Arroyo
Statements and Resolutions:
Committee on National Issues and Concern Statement
CBCP statement
La Sallian Press Statement
Makati Standoff and Media Harassment Resolution
DLSU Alumni Meeting: February 10, 2008 Minutes
DLSU Student Council President, Noey Arcinue’s interview