A fascist display
Government

A fascist display

Jul 4, 2022, 3:54 AM
Rose De La Cruz

Rose De La Cruz

Writer/Columnist

Newly- sworn President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised a simple inaugural. He did so with a 30-minute nostalgic speech down memory lane, recalling his father, the strongman’s achievements but missing out on the atrocities and excesses of his rule. The speech was simple but full of motherhood statements and promises.

The inaugural scene was far from simple with an excessive use of military parade and show of soldiers and ordnance —land, sea and air—displaying the flags of each unit to a crowd of mostly foreign governments and diplomats, some Cabinet members (new and old), and past presidents. To a lot of people, such display of military hardware spoke of fascistic undertones. (Some suspect he could be following his father’s footsteps of excesses, heavy dependence on military might against critics and perpetuating his family’s dynastic rule).

The venue, the National Museum of Philippine Arts (used to be the Legislative Building where Filipinos protested the dictatorship including the First Quarter Storm, a civil unrest that preceded the proclamation of Martial law) was locked out to ordinary Filipinos except for the invited guests. Security was too tight that guests and staff involved in the inaugural were not just inspected but were assigned chips that could monitor their every movement. Also locked down were streets way past the Museum.

It was natural for Marcos Jr. to avoid “talking about the past. I am here to tell you about our future of sufficiency and plenty (the same rhetoric used by his parents), of readily available ways and means to get done what needs doing—by you, by me.”

He cautioned about the spread of the war abroad,

“of which we are totally blameless. We seek friendship with all but countries like ours will bear the brunt of it (war). And if the great powers draw the wrong lessons from the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine, the same dark prospect of conflict will spread to our part of the world.”

He urged the Filipinos to “put our shoulders to the wheel; and give that wheel a faster turn — to repair and to rebuild; and to address challenges in new ways; to provide what all Filipinos need; to be all that we can. We are here to repair a house divided; to make it whole and to stand strong again in the Bayanihan way, expressive of our nature as Filipinos.”

“We resisted and never failed to defeat foreign attempts to break up our country in my father’s watch. His strongest critics have conceded that. So let us all be part of the solution that we choose. Always be open to differing views but ever united in our chosen goal. Never hesitating to change it, should it prove wanting. That is how agile, resilient republics are made.”

He exuded confidence that amid troubling times, “what’s happening to others can happen to us, but it will not. We see what’s happening. We are witness to how it is being stopped. And we have seen the glory that crowns struggle against all odds. Giving up is not an option. We’ve been through times of bitter division but came through united but better.”

He mentioned a comprehensive, all-inclusive plan for economic transformation to build back better by doing things in the light of the experiences that we have had. No looking back in anger or nostalgia. In the road ahead, the immediate months will be rough; but I will walk that road with you.”

Agriculture

He said agriculture “cries for the urgent attention, that its neglect and misdirection, now demands. Food self-sufficiency has been the key promise of every administration. None but one delivered. There were inherent defects in the old ways and in recent ways, too.”

The policy of competitive advantage that harps on food sufficiency being achieved by not producing what other countries can make and sell cheapest, was brutally tested by (the war in) Ukraine.

“The most vulnerable when it comes to food are the countries farthest away from the conflict; those bearing no blame for provoking it. Yet they face the biggest risk of starvation. If financial aid is poured into them – though it never is, there is nothing to buy.”

“Food is not just a trade commodity. Without it, people weaken and die; societies come apart. It is more than a livelihood; it is an existential imperative and a moral one. An agriculture damaged and diminished by unfair competition will have a harder time or have no prospects of recovering.”
“Food sufficiency must get the preferential treatment, which free- trade countries always gave their agricultural sector. Their policy boils down to don’t do as we do, do what we tell you to. I am giving that policy the most serious thought if it doesn’t change or make more allowances for emergencies with long- term effects.”

Energy, Education

He said sufficient fossil fuel-free technology has yet to be invented. And it is not seriously tried by rich countries.

“Consider the response of the richest countries to the war in Ukraine. But surely a Free World awash with oil can assure supplies. Or we will find a way. We are not far from oil and gas reserves that have already been developed.”

He called for a re-thinking of

“what we teach in our schools, the materials used” but he said he was not talking about history but about the basics of science, sharpening theoretical aptitude and imparting vocational skills such as in the German example. Aside from promoting the national Language equal emphasis and facility should be given in a global language-- which we had and lost. Let us give OFWs all the advantages we can for them to survive and to thrive.”

He hinted at a comeback of an education system that prepares coming generations for more and better jobs than menial jobs abroad.

“With Vice President Sara Duterte Carpio at the helm, she would fit that mission to a T.”

He pointed at improving the public health system for the next pandemic, which is in current shambles. The only major upgrade of the public health system is that of the Philippine General Hospital.

On nurses, he said, though they had the highest casualties they proved themselves with the highest distinction abroad, while giving the same dedication here, they just got by.

”They are out there because we cannot pay them for the same risk and workload back here. He vowed “to change this beginning tomorrow.” He said he would fix the shortcomings and be more transparent about the real score, citing that he was among the first to get COVID and “it was not a walk in the park.”

Then he reminisced the achievements of his father in building more and better roads, more rice than all administrations before his. He promised to complete on schedule the projects that have been started but he is not interested in taking credit.

He said the recovery of Philippine tourism will emphasize on accessing the country’s natural beauty.

Pollution

He said the country has yet to see large-scale practical solutions to pollution.

“There are tried and proven new ways of mitigation. Then he cited the windmills of Ilocos,” which he claimed to have built.

On climate change, he said, he would look for partners to help the Philippines, which despite having a small carbon footprint is at the highest risk. First, spare victims; then help them recover; and move on to lessen the harmful impact of climate change. We too have our part to play; we are the third biggest plastics polluter in the world. But we won’t shirk from that responsibility; we will clean up.

He ended by saying that he is confident of the future because he has faith in 110 million Filipinos. Believe, have hope: the sun also rises like it did today; and as it will tomorrow


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