Part 17
CONTRIBUTORY missteps to tipping the delicate balance of indigenous identities or regionalized groupings of the Philippine state, are age old memories of inequality and undue advantage. For example – had Manuel Quezon not been a Tagalog in a majority population of Visayans, with a Cebuano vice president, likely, the national language would have been…? To this day, the 1987 constitutional mandate (Art 14 Sec. 6) for a fair formulary in developing what must be an enriched and vibrant national language, mined from existing Philippine languages, is in hibernation. The impression, to be diplomatic, is that Filipino is Tagalog, as the national language. This is exacerbated by “Imperial Manila” based media, with a “tunnel vision” for news, events, personalities, etc. highlighted from the same center.
There is the unfair calculus for political advantage, disturbing e.g. the customary and sublime practice of the ‘North-South Formula’ for presidents and vice presidents (Luzon-Visayas/Mindanao, or vice-versa) diluted in a multi-party & constitutional mess. How a sturdy and working “Two-Party System” was adulterated as a consequence of democratization? The discipline of two political parties, a necessary fulcrum for “check and balance”, to determine clear majorities, validating governance issues, policies, and democratic contests in the tradition of the Nationalista and Liberal Party. In such system, the results become an unchallenged voice of, not a downgraded plurality of regional alliances winning elections, but the preponderance of a Filipino nation. A crucial point why national leaders, particularly presidents, should be elected by a national vote, vis-à-vis, moves towards parliamentary governance. Precisely, so that “tribal” thinking and dissension remains dormant and frowned at. Nationwide- consensus, unequivocally identified and settled. Such electoral process must remain the starting point of a sovereign act by the greatest majority. Adventurist and revisionist experimentations in tinkering with the founding institutions of our republic, an immortal caveat.
