THE proponents of charter change are focused on one thing in the constitution that needed to be changed kuno – the restrictive economic provisions.
Accordingly, this is the real cause why the country is laggard economically kuno as compared to other countries, specifically its ASEAN neighbors.
Foreign investors are discouraged because of these “restrictive economic” constitutional provisions.
But one newspaper writer asked – said who?
Except those who are actively pushing for cha-cha, for one reason or another, is there any empirical data that would support this thesis?
The writer answered himself – there is none.
* * *
Indeed, do we have any concrete study that would clearly support the theory that these “restrictive” economic provisions have indeed discouraged foreign capital from entering into the country’s economic system?
Nada, as in, wala.
The generic accusation against the 1987 Philippine Constitution as the real culprit for the country’s economic malaise is merely repeated and echoed by those who want to change the constitution.
But aside from their “own personal observation,” they could not present any concrete data that would show that the entry of foreign capital was stymied by the constitution.
* * *
And Senator Sonny Angara concurred.
He said that corruption and red tape are the real deal in preventing the entry of foreign capital.
Pasabot, mao ni sila ang tinuod nga mga hinungdan ngano nga dili gusto mo-negosyo ang mga langyaw dinhi sa nasod.
And he continued, if these two are not eradicated and no reforms are implemented, foreign capital would really not flow into the country.
Husto pod.
* * *
Take the case of one European investor.
He planned to open a business here in the country, he wanted to make the country his second home and his retirement haven, after making some savings for many years now.
So he consulted a local businessman.
And the businessman homilied him on the steps to start a business in the country. Step 1, step 2 and the rest.
Because the businessman was thorough in his discussion, the European allowed him to kitkit the microphone, naghilom lang siya and naghulat nga mahuman ang local businessman sa iyang briefing.
The discourse included the fees, permits, clearances, etc….
Without waiting for the end of the homily, the European told his local host to just forget it.
He said he is not used to paying extra just to facilitate the processing of government-required documents. In his country, doing business is made easy and thus, many businessmen find his country as an attractive option for retirement and a little business.
But for him, what prompted him to leave his country and seek another “home” is the very cold weather.
Hilabihan tugnawa kuno kaayo and he is becoming uncomfortable, unhappy and he wants to spend his remaining time in a tropical place like the Philippines.
Yes, he wanted to be happy.
But with the way things are being run in the country, he said he would find it hard to fit in because he is not used to paying bribes just to get things done and he is also used to fast and simple processing of government-required documents.
Wa daw siya maanad anang suborno, labi na ang dugay kaayo nga pag-proseso sa mga papeles.
Instead of doing business here, adto na lang daw siya sa laing nasod kay maayo pa ang pamaagi didto, he said.
Now, this is just one example of a situation that best described the pitiful situation in the country.
* * *
Senator Angara is right.
Kon dili mawagtang ang pangurakot ug ang langay-langay nga pag-proseso sa mga dokumento, walay chance nga mosulod ang foreign capital sa atong nasod.
Nan karon, nganong dali-dalion man gyod ang pag-usab sa Batakang Balaod?
Tubaga daw beh?
