A symbolic relationship

In the various reports of the proclamation of President and Vice President on June 9, mention was made of the fact that Aquino supporters declined to participate when Binay supporters chanted “Noy-Bi.” True enough. It was also reported that the joint session of Congress voiced no objection to the proclamations. That was perfectly true in that no senator or congressman raised an objection.

But, watching the live coverage on ANC, it seemed to me that when Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile posed the question, the yellow-garbed Aquino supporters’ chant of “Noynoy!” (at first it sounded like “Mar! Mar!” — a reference to Aquino’s defeated running mate Manuel Roxas II) from the public gallery was issued as a challenge to Binay. Just as significantly — and maybe more so — these chants were met with a thunderous roar of “Binay! Binay! Binay!” from the supporters of the Vice President-elect, whereupon the yellow shirts were silenced.

That may prove to have been a very early defining moment. It is, after all, just possible that the relationship between President Noynoy Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay could symbolize the balance of forces between those intent upon continuing the ruinous agenda of globalization, following a script written by the World Bank Group and the World Trade Organization, and those favoring a more pro-people approach.

The pressures upon Aquino, even before he takes the oath of office, must be enormous. Reportedly, he has complained about the office-seekers and advice-givers who have been badgering him since it became clear that he had won the presidency. Yes, being continually nipped by small fry can be extremely irritating, but there are other, considerably larger fish looking for a meal.

On the international front, the new US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. has called for China’s role in its relations with the Philippines to be “transparent.” Although that quality has often been lacking in the USA’s relations with this country, on this occasion Ambassador Thomas made US interests perfectly clear when he argued that the South China Sea issue should be addressed by the whole of Asean. These were international waters, he asserted, and US ships had the right to ply them. It may be that Aquino does not consider such comments to be pressure, and that this was just the kind of thing he had in mind when he told the Philippine Star on Feb. 21 that his presidency would see “more cooperation with America to balance strategic forces within the area.”

The economic front, meanwhile, sees the US Chamber of Commerce and the Joint Foreign Chambers proposing to hold a conference at which proposals to “help” the new President achieve economic growth will be formulated. But economic growth for whom — the Filipino people or foreign investors? We must assume that the advice of the Foreign Chambers will be premised on the presumed efficacy of the “trickle-down” theory. That theory, which asserts that wealth created for those at the pinnacle of the economic pyramid will “trickle down” to the masses at the base as a matter of course, has long been discredited.

The proposals which may emerge from such a conference are depressingly predictable — more taxes to close the revenue gap, more deregulation, more privatization, even lower import duties, and the removal of the nationalist safeguards from the Constitution.

If such voices are heeded, there is a real possibility that the Philippines will have a 1950s foreign policy and a deregulated economy characteristic of the victims of 21st century globalization. Much is made of the pernicious role of corruption in the Philippines, but rarely is it pointed out that when a country’s economic policy is scripted by the multilateral lending institutions the only economic lever left to the leadership is patronage.

Continued pursuit of the deregulated “export-oriented” model will not, in other words, serve as a basis for eliminating corruption. Moreover, a president who attempts to turn off the corruption tap without putting forward a program of genuine economic development, thereby firming up mass support, may soon find himself in hot water as the former beneficiaries of graft mobilize against him.

But unless the new government charts a fresh course, developing the domestic economy, the masses will also be discontented, their hopes of a better life dashed yet again. Given his record as mayor of Makati in providing free education, heavily-subsidized healthcare, and assistance to the elderly, it is entirely possible that Binay will be seen as their champion. This is, perhaps, another reason the editor of this newspaper used her column last Friday to warn him to watch his back. Watching his back is, though, an activity in which he is experienced, as in October 2006 when, with staff and supporters blockading Makati City Hall after a suspension order, a temporary restraining order was granted, or in May 2007 when, fearful of another backlash, Malacañang had a similar suspension order withdrawn.

Much may depend on how Aquino treats his vice president. The initial signs are not propitious. Asked at the press conference following his proclamation whether Binay would be appointed as Local Government secretary, Noynoy merely said that he had yet to discuss it with him and that there were other candidates. A more diplomatic man might have at least acknowledged Binay’s achievements in Makati.

These are early days, and this outsider has no wish to be a prophet of doom. The situation is fraught with danger for both men. It is to be hoped that they establish a relationship based on mutual respect and, above all, sound policies which put the people first and lead to genuine development.

But if it all goes wrong those rival chants in the Batasang Pambansa on June 9 may well be heard again. –Ken Fuller, Daily YT

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