When enough resources are not enough
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TAIWAN is a success story; yes, to some extent. But it would be too simplistic for Dongkoy Emano to use the Taiwan case as an argument for his call for Mindanao secession.
Just because Taiwan made it doesn't mean Mindanao can. While it's probably true that Mindanao's resources are more than enough to make it stand on its own, there are other factors--very serious matters--to consider.
Reuben Canoy and Nur Misuari failed because of their motherhood statements on Mindanao independence. And now, lo and behold, two mayors are parroting the same motherhood statements. What we have right before our eyes today is intellectual property theft. But what's really disgusting is the exploitation of Canoy's and Misuari's intellectual property for an agenda other than empowering Mindanao.
Here's an unsolicited advice to the mayors of Cagayan de Oro and Davao: if you plagiarize, make sure you improve at the least. Don't just say "Mindanao can" and mindlessly repeat motherhood statements. Say exactly why Mindanao can, and give us hard data. Or do they really understand the words they are parroting?
It occurred to me that it is possible they don't even realize that their call for a "Mindanao Republic" is a call for secession. Now, isn't secession worse than a coup d'etat?
A coup is just a sudden and decisive change of government through a forceful takeover, but secession is separation, a "divorce," so to speak. Now tell me if the "Mindanao Republic" call isn't inciting to sedition, a crime punishable under our present laws? Doesn't that make its proponents threats to national security?
The difference lies on who's making the call. If the "Mindanao Republic" call was made by representatives Crispin Beltran, Joel Virador, Lisa Maza, Teddy Casino or Rissa Baraquel, Malacanang would waste no time in having them arrested and charged by the justice department. But since the call was made by Arroyo bootlickers, it's not sedition but "freedom of expression." Ako'y iyong iyo na, "what is"! Ahh, such double standard.
The Palace's silence on the latest Emano-Duterte caper is really deafening. A lot of people are passive. In fact, no one's really taking the two politicians seriously for the simple reason that they are Arroyo's apologists. They used the same "Mindanao Republic" antic to briefly divert public attention from the "Hello Garci" controversy last year and therefore, made Gloria very happy. At the same time, they got some publicity which they think made them "sikat." Sikat sa imong mata. Jokers, not sikat.
Yes, they became jokers just like that lawyer surnamed Pamatong who rose to national prominence because he said it was his destiny to become president in 2004, and because of his suyak.
So the "Mindanao Republic" call is nothing but a big joke because the pronouncements come from people who can never dissociate themselves from Malacanang's agenda. Simply put, Emano and Duterte's call reeks of ugly politics.
But just for the sake of argument, even if there are figures and other hard facts to back up the argument for a "Mindanao Republic," the question of whether or not it would be wise for Mindanao to attempt to do a Taiwan remains.
Taiwan is Taiwan, Mindanao is Mindanao.
Who would lead this "Mindanao Republic"? Emano? Duterte? Or the likes of Emano and Duterte? Forget it.
Why? So there will be more vigilante killings and other human rights violations? So the financial statements of the "Republic of Mindanao" would be kept from public view?
Put officials like them there and, chances are, they'd get impeached--or Mindanao will have its first "People Power" revolution even before it could celebrate its first independence day.
I tell you, it would be much better if we forget the Emano-Duterte prank and just try to think that the two grandstanding politicians made the call at a time when they were having a bad hair day.
Make any of them president or prime minister and Mindanao will be in deeper shit.
Dongkoy and Rody simply don't get it. Their enough-resources-argument is simply not enough.
Pastilan.
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