RedBlueThoughts

A student of history recognizes a problem or a crisis when he sees one. What’s happening in the Philippines now is symptomatic of a systemic-wide crisis bordering to total destruction of the body politic. What are the signs of this?

1. Psycho-social divide. There is a wide wedge between classes and sectors in Philippine society owing to calls for Arroyo’s resignation. From the church to barangay officials, society has been split into two.

2. Foreign policy crisis. The Spratlys deal has exposed the current direction of Philippine foreign policy. Executive agreements after executive agreements reflect the shift of direction, from Western to Eastern, or to be precise, from US-oriented to China-oriented. This shift could be perceived as related to loans or sums of money but I view this more than that.

3. Security crisis. Whatever AFP Chief of Staff Esperon says, there is a noticeable divide in the AFP organisation. With the shift in foreign relations, this could eventually erode the support of the AFP behind Arroyo, since this administration has exposed itself as more subservient to Chinese Communist Party influence and interests rather than Philippine democratic.

4. Constitutional crisis. The SC has been thrust into the imbroglio with the Neri case. SC says they will issue a decision in the last week of March. That ruling may trigger wide-spread dissent leading to Arroyo’s ouster.

5. Food security crisis. Once a breadbasket of Asia, the Philippines is now facing a very serious shortage of rice. This could exacerbate the brewing undercurrent of dissent in Philippine society.

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