Prepared by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Jan 2010 Philippine situation: Issues and challenges.

Prepared by

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

Jan 2010

Philippine situation: Issues and challenges

HISTORY

The Philippines was a colony of Spain, the United States, was placed under Japanish occupation

After the granting of nominal independence in 1945, the Philippines became a neo-colony of the US

Its economy, politics and culture are dictated upon by foreign interests, principally the US

HISTORY

The Philippines has a long history of revolutionary struggle

1896 Philippine revolution against Spanish Colonialism

Revolutionary struggle against US imperialism

Struggle against Japanese occupation during WW 2

Revolutionary struggle 1968 onwards against Imperialism, Feudalism and Bureaucrat Capitalism

HISTORY

Based on historical circumstances the Philippines is currently semi-feudal and semi-colonial

Rulling class – comprador big bourgeoisie and local big landlords

Oppressed classes– Peasants, workers, petty bourgeoisie, national bourgeosie

Legal mass movement, armed revolutionary movement

HISTORY

Two “People Power” uprisings, 1986 that ousted the Marcos dictatorship and 2001 that ousted the Estrada regime

Arroyo was brought to power in 2001 and served out the remained of Estrada’s term

She ran in 2004 and was widely believed to have engaged in massive electoral fraud

Our current situation

Arroyo has been in power for nearly 9

years

PovertyCorruptionRepressionPuppetry

Nine years of Poverty

Number of poor

2003: 23.8 M

2006: 27.6 M

Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang NSCB data

Nine years of Poverty

Daily cost of living vs minimum wage

NCR Jan 2001

Now

DailyCOL

US$10.6 $19.00

Min.Wage

US$5.60 $8.00

Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang NWPC data

Number of Unemployed

Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang POEA data

2.3

2.6

3.2

3.8

Cory Ramos Erap Gloria

Number of unemployed (millions)

1987-1991 1991-1997 1997-2000 2001-2008

Number of Unemployed

Unemployed and underemployed• Jan’01: 8.34 M

• April’09: 15.6 M

269 workers loose their jobs daily (2001-2008)

Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang NSO at DOLE data

Migration

Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang POEA data

361,833469,709

693,815

1,008,303

Cory Ramos Erap Gloria

Number of migrant workers deployed yearly

1987-1991 1991-1997 1997-2000 2001-2008

Nine years of poverty

Onerous taxesFo every P10.00

collected, P6.00 goes to foreign debt payments

Foreign Debt

Foreign debt under Arroyo ($ billion)

20.3

22.6

26.3 25.8 25.7

27.228.4

29.6

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Legacy of Corruption

Anomalous projects Estimated cost

IMPSA deal (2001) $ 2 million

PIATCO (2003) $ 20 million

Northrail project (2004) $50 million

Mega Pacific deal (2004) P500 million

Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. (2004) P600 million

NBN-ZTE broadband deal (2007) $32.9 million

World Bank road projects (2009) $33 million

Tinipon ng Bayan gamit ang media reports

Unexplained wealth

Declared Net Worth• 2001: P67 M• 2008: P144 M

Does not include undeclared assets, investments etc.

Lavish lifestyle

August 7, 2009 - THE economic downturn hasn't persuaded everyone to pinch pennies. Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life. Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.

Lavish lifestyle

PHILIPPINE FEAST FRENZY, PART 2 August 12, 2009 –

BEFORE their $20,000 meal at Le Cirque, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and an entourage of about 65 -- complete with food tasters, Secret Service and a kitchen monitor to watch food preparation -- dined at Bobby Van's Steakhouse in DC on July 30. "The party spared no expense, and had lobster, steak and expensive wines," said a source. "They paid their $15,000 bill, including a generous tip, with cash -- which was counted out, unseen, underneath a table by a staff member."

Nine years of repression

Human rights victims (Jan 2001 to Oct 2009)

Violation Victims

Extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary execution 1,118

Enforced or involuntary disappearance 204

Torture 1,026

Political prisoners 255

Data from Karapatan

Nine years of repression

… activists and critics of the regime have been slapped with trumped- up charges like murder, arson, rebellion etc.

Nine years of subservience

Support for “US war on terror”

Support for invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan

Permanent and continuing US troop presence under the Visiting Forces Agreement

“Country coordinator” for US relations in ASEAN -- Obama

Nine years of subservience

Up to 50,000 US troops have entered the country since 2001

Cases of abuses, rape and violations of the Philippine constituion

In June 2009, US Defense Sec. Gates announces retention of 600 US Special Forces in Southern Philippines

Nine years of subservience

Approved the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement

Foreign plunder, liberalization

Pushing Charter change, 100% foreign ownership of land

Options to stay in power

• Charter change• Martial law• Failure of 2010

elections

Threat of Martial Law

Arroyo declared Martial Law in Maguindanao province in the aftermath of the Ampatuan Massacre that claimed 57 lives

It was the first time Martial Law was used since 1972

Legal and factual bases for declaring Martial Law was questionable

Election Fraud

Anomalous automation meant to undermine the integrity and credibilty of the national elections

Failure of elections is one scenario

2010 Elections

Several candidates from the Opposition hoping to replace Arroyo

Outright rejection of administration bet

2010 Elections

Not likely to bring about fundamental change

May bring about replacement of GMA

May be an opportunity to advance pro-people reforms, accountability of GMA and her cohorts

2010 Elections

Peoples movement has fielded partylist groups and two senatorial bets at the national levels

Engagement in local elections too

Anti-fraud movement

Peoples International Observers Missions

2010 Elections

Failure of automation leading to failure of elections

Widespread election-related violence

Declaration of martial law

Corruption and fraud by the incumbent

Bigger challenges

Mass movement is still the key

Anti-imperialist, anti-feudal and anti-fascist struggles

Broad United Front to stop Arroyo’s moves to stay in power

Electoral arenaInternational solidarity

What we are doing

Advancing the struggle for national democracy

FOR MORE INFO, CHECK OUT www.bayan.ph

Maraming salamat!

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