THE Political Officers League of the Philippines (PolPHIL), along with invitees and activists, gathered at the posh Bohol Shores Resort in Dauis, Bohol for what it may be considered as important mission for an “unfinished business.”
“Why we fight each other when we can unite for a common direction,?” Rudy ‘Kid’ Cañeda, founding President of POLPhil (Political Officers League of the Philippines. Organizer of the PolPHIL Party, once said.
His statement set the tone for the gathering to explore possibilities of forming a political party based on valid political platforms/policies that intend to foster peace for progress and development.
But first things first, he said. The gathering tries to draft the Constitution and By-Laws of the PolPHIL Party, Caneda said.
Caneda was instrumental in the successful drafting of the Student Constitution of the then Divine Word College, now Holy Name University, Tagbilaran City in 1981.
The Philippine situation of political parties is described here by a writer. “However, the political situation in the Philippines, as well as its political institutions, makes Philippine political parties more of a detriment rather than a boost to the country’s development. One major factor that makes our political parties weak is the dependence of political parties on personalities rather than on issues and political platforms.”
This may prompted the PolPhils to meet and help contribute to an obvious need for reforms in political party system, reforms that would lead to the reduction or even eventual eradication of graft and corruption in the country.
The group apparently agreed for a common ground why they gather that there’s no development in the absence of peace.
In an interview, Ric Serrano, a former activist and now engaged in a non-government organization, said that what they contribute in this endeavor may be act as mentors for the young ones for an unfinished business.
He said he envisions this gathering to evaluate and put forward the people’s issues, like the lack of housing facing the country.
In a separate interview, Atty. Argee Guevarra, former youth leader of the group of the late Felimon “Popoy” Lagman of the CPP Metro-Manila- Rizal Commission. He is Lawyer for the poor and the NGOs ang Sankakas Part, said that the meeting is a positive step towards what the group envisions.
He said that if ever the political party is borne out of this gathering, it is open to all walks of life and stakeholders to engage in it.
He said that peace talks between the rebels, the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New Peoples’ Army and the government should have a watchdog. It should not be left between them only. And that the talk over attainment of lasting peace should also be anchored on national interest.
He said that instead of shooting each other, apparently referring to the rebels and the government forces, why not utilize the funds for additional military assets to be prepared in the event of invasion for there’s a “creeping invasion” of the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea.
For his part, Prof. Nestor Castro Former UP Vice-Chancellor. Former political detainee and former Secretary-General of the Kabataang Makabayan in the ‘80’s and now a professor of cultural anthropology at University of Philippines, said that the group intends to set the direction. This regardless of whoever become a members and to adhere the party’s objectives and principles regardless of political persuasion, religion and other factors.
He said that the gathering is a “stepping stone and a starting point” to attain its envisioned goals.
Other active participants of the gathering held at the posh Bohol shores are Fr. Ed dela Torre Atin Ito Coalition for defense of West Philippine Sea. Former Political Detainee; Prof. Nestor Castro Former UP Vice-Chancellor. Former political detainee and former Secretary-General of the Kabataang Makabayan in the ‘80’s and now a professor of cultural anthropology at University of Philippines; Niva Gonzales Academic Professor and NGO leader and former National Council Member of the KM; Ric Serrano, Arnel Ramos, Rogel Garcia, Fortunato Agbayani, former Activists of the ‘80s, Coop leaders, media and communications experts and political campaigners; Noel Medina, former national president of KADENA (Kabataan Para sa Demokrasya at Nationalismo and former Pasig City Councilor, political consultant and campaigner. (ricobedencio@yahoo.com)
