On Public Accountability of Philippine Government

DECLARATION AND STATEMENT OF POSITION
On PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY of Government

By Filipino Immigrants and Overseas Workers

WHEREAS, the undersigned, comprised of Filipino immigrants and overseas workers that in the first three months of this year, have remitted a total of $2.3 billion, or almost 17 percent above the level of remittances for the same period last year to financially support the Philippines, and

WHEREAS, we care about our homeland, are deeply concerned about its problems, and are looking for solutions because we are the product of our country's sweat and tears -- having left our ancestral home to create better opportunities for ourselves, our families, and those we left behind, and

WHEREAS, we are aware of the governments initiatives to improve the economy and attract foreign investors as evidenced by the recent Philippine Census (http://www.census.gov.ph/) stating that in 2004:
a. The gross domestic product grew by six percent
b. Exports, at $39.6 billion, grew by 9.3 percent
c. Foreign direct investments grew by 409 percent, and local investments rose by 79 percent.
d. A total of $1.72 billion in portfolio investments rushed into the country, sending the Philippine Stock Exchange Index up to a six-year high.
e. The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering enabled the Philippines to be removed from the list of Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories.
f. The Philippine Government sold $1.5 billion in bonds, and investors ordered five times more than the amount of securities made available.
g. The World Bank has recently announced a new three-year assistance plan to help fund high quality programs to be carried out by the Philippine Government.
h. 2.3 million tourists visited the country
i. Revenue collections amounted to 62.9 billion pesos, and

WHEREAS, the above mentioned economic improvements have not truly improved the quality of life for the common "tao", and public trust in government is low:
1. There is a basic and ongoing need to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, and livelihood for the urban and rural poor, and to improve the health status of the majority of the population.
2. There is a persistent threat of a coup, corruption is rampant, the unemployment rate is over ten percent, juveniles charged with minor infractions are kept in overcrowded jails with adult hardened criminals, the prostitution rate is high, the inflation rate is at a six-year high, and the national debt is huge.
3. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's popularity is at rock bottom, largely because of the alleged involvement of her family members in the jueteng scandal, the current tape controversy, and the allegations of cheating in the last election, and

WHEREAS, the current situation in the Philippines with regard to perceived scandals in government has become a critical issue that concerns all, because it seriously threatens the stability of our mother country, and

WHEREAS, there is now a global awareness among overseas Filipinos of the critical and emergent need to push for human dignity by constructively addressing poverty and government corruption, and

WHEREAS, Section 4, Article III of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, in the Bill of Rights, states that
"No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the Government for redress of grievances." and

WHEREAS, this Declaration and Statement of Position is a demonstration of the values we share, and our desire for constructive.and thoughtful discussion aimed at resolving crucial issues, strengthening our country, rejecting violence, fear and hate, and helping Filipinos regain trust and confidence in their government,

NOW THEREFORE we, the undersigned concerned Filipino-Americans and Filipinos residing overseas, of our own volition, and with no intent other than to preserve the sanctity of our government and to improve the deteriorating political, economic and social conditions of our mother country, do hereby declare that we have united as a single voice to address our concerns regarding the crisis and problems that beset our government, and to demand integrity, accountability, credibility and transparency from all our elected public officials. WE STRONGLY ADVOCATE AND DECLARE THAT:

1) Whether or not the alleged tape is genuine, whether or not wire tapping was involved, and whether or not the accusations are politically motivated, charges and countercharges have been feasted on, reputations are besmirched, our people are perplexed and the country is in a state of quandary. It is now incumbent upon all concerned, most especially the President, to come forth through a public statement, to either admit or deny that she is the woman in the tape and/or that such a discussion did or did not occur. As an elected official that holds the highest position in government, the President of the Republic of the Philippines has the legal, ethical, moral and social obligation and responsibility to formally, publicly, and personally respond to the concerns of the people that she has vowed to serve, and to address the public perception of impropriety that continues to escalate and erode public trust in government.

2) The controversy over the tapes, including any anomaly or fraud that may been committed in the hotly contested presidential election in May 2004 must be resolved in an expeditious and transparent manner, through legal proceedings, as mandated and specifically addressed by Section 1, ARTICLE XI of in the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, on "Accountability of Public Officers":
"Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives."

3) In the same manner, the guilt of those alleged to be involved in "jueteng" should be investigated by unbiased and competent legal authority, and a realistic solution to this popular form of gambling needs to be reached.

4) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has issued Administrative Order No. 103 urging all national government agencies (NGAs), government financial institutions (GFIs), government-owned and/or controlled corporations (GOCCs), including local government units (LGUs), to "adopt austerity measures to cut expenses and save much needed resources". Yet, some diplomats are reportedly living beyond the government's means. The Consul General to New York allegedly pays $10,000 (roughly P550,000) monthly in rent for her flat in the posh Trump Plaza building in Manhattan, which is located across the United Nations headquarters. Ambassadors and consul generals assigned to specific posts such as New York are given a somewhat higher allocation, up to $43,391 in overseas and living quarters allowance (based on personal communications with the Department of Foreign Affairs). The current apartment rental in New York alone, without considering all other ancillary living expenses for the Consul General, amounts to a total allowance of $120,000 a year that is at least three times more than the $33,984 average annual allocation for living quarters for most diplomats. The discrepancy between such extravagant lodging for diplomats in the face of stark poverty in the Philippines is extremely disturbing.
Considering the present state of the economy, the Philippine Government should review all allocations for foreign diplomats and consulates, and appropriately adjust the living quarters allocation for Consul Generals to maintain more reasonable living accommodations in places with high standard of living, such as New York. The remaining dollars previously allocated for such should go towards financially supporting specific and necessary services to the poor, and conserving money for the cash-strapped government.
The Philippine government should look into more conservative budgetary allowances for all elected government officials and political appointees, including per diem allowances for travel.

5) The government should increase the per capita expenditures for both health and education programs as a percent of GNP needs, to address primary and secondary health care, develop public health programs especially in the urban slums, improve public education, and increase government support for medical missions and social service-related programs coming from overseas.

6) The government should improve the efficiency and effectiveness of POEA officials and personnel in preventing the exploitation, protecting the rights, and serving the needs of Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs).

7) The government should give more attention to agriculture and agricultural productivity in the Philippines, and look into the potential of developing modern technological advances to improve our agricultural/ aquaculture/ livestock productivity. Perfect example is the use of "apiculture" (bee pollination) which is still largely unknown in the Philippines. Apiculture is proven to increase the yield of agricultural products without the use of inorganic/synthetic fertilizers which are costly and which poison our land in the end.

8. Since the development of the Philippines should include the 18,133,864 Christian, Muslim and Lumad Filipinos currently living in Mindanao, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO), the government should boldly address our yearnings for peace by aggressively helping solve the decades-long communist insurgency problem and the Muslim-led separatist/secessionist movement in Mindanao. By reconciling, rehabilitating and re-integrating the rebel and insurgent groups, the people of Mindanao will have the prospects of being freed from their fears, made safe from danger, and motivated to become productive by undertaking the development of industries based upon agricultural products that can be grown and processed on Mindanao's resource-rich lands. These products would include those that can substitute for the country's imports that also have strong export potentials, easily renewable, manpower-intensive toward employing more Filipinos - such as ethanol production from cassava, sorghum, sugarcane, corn; industrial starch production from cassava, corn; banana chips; vegetable oil-base products from coconuts, soybeans, etc.

Under the President's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), Filipino rebel-returnees could be given an economic package consisting of farm lots, home lots and livelihood (kabuhayan) support services to ensure their survival and eventual inclusion into the mainstream of Filipino life and democratic participation.
The government should spearhead the creation of a culture of peace on the island, instead of continuing its warring efforts that have thus far cost our nation thousands of dislocated families, countless orphaned children and precious billions of pesos aimed at nothing more than maiming and killing brother-Filipinos - and, in the process, transforming beautiful Mindanao into pockets of virtual killing fields.

9. FINALLY, concerned leaders (political, social, civic and business) should develop a strong sense of partnership and be prime examples of what they are advocating for. The President should have an ongoing and active dialogue with community leaders (who are not self-serving and not government-appointed), both from the Philippines and from abroad. With the Presidents support, an International Advocacy Core Group or National Citizen Action Group, made up of Filipino leaders that represent local as well as overseas Filipino communities, can be formed that is independent of, but collaboratively and closely working with the government, to help develop check and balance policies for oversight, as well as suggest, discuss, and provide workable and sustainable solutions on matters that concern public interest and help restore trust in government.

WE TRUST THEREFORE, that this public and global declaration of concern will be duly noted, seriously considered, and acted upon expeditiously by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. We look forward to reading an official memorandum coming from the Office of the President, having a productive and constructive dialogue, and listening to the Presidents Special State of the Nation Address that outlines government measures to address these aforementioned specific issues, through public television and a formal press conference, in response to the concerns of her constituency.