by Renato Reyes Jr. | President, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
The answer to widespread corruption and the current social crisis is the national democratic struggle of the people, in order to fundamentally change the rotten system and overthrow imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucrat capitalism. This is the long-term goal and asipiration of our people. The desired change is reflected in the program for national democracy. An essential apeect of this is the establishment of a people’s democratic government, a patriotic government with representatives from the oppressed classes of society.
The current crisis gives rise to the question of what the immediate alternative can be to the Marcos and Duterte regimes at a time when Marcos’ corruption is being exposed and the equally corrupt Duterte faction is opportunistically taking advantage of it to take power.
Our stand is that Marcos and Duterte must be removed from office and both must be held accountable, to realize the call, “Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot.” This accountability will only happen through the relentless collective action of the people.
What could be the outcome once Marcos and Duterte resign or are removed? A simple answer, if the constitutional succession is followed if the president and vice president are removed, the Senate President may temporarily take over and, after a period, call for an election. But the more crucial issue for us is that in whatever outcome, the oppressed classes and sectors must have representation; the people must have a voice. This is the basis of the concept of a transition council – to ensure that the democratic forces have a say in whatever outcome replaces Marcos and Duterte. The constitutional successor could be part of this but the more important issue that the people must have a voice in this council.
The transition council must pursue a minimum program to achieve meaningful reforms. Immediately, this includes the prosecution of the corrupt, recovery of stolen wealth, immediate relief for the people, banning political dynasties, reform of the Partylist Law, and pushing for hybrid elections to ensure transparency in the vote count when an election is called. There must also be steps to prevent the ousted Marcos and Duterte from returning to office or running in the elections.
Because the system has not yet been completely changed, the people must continuously fight for the national democratic program, and continue to organize and mobilize. We will push for the ND program even during the transition period, in the actual elections when it happens, and beyond it. Meanwhile, the removal of the corrupt and the formation of a transition council with the people’s representation is a meaningful step forward and a strengthening of the people’s power until they are capable of fully dismantling the entire rotten system.
The question of who will truly replace the president and vice president can be answered when an election is called. But the more crucial issue now is the program that will be implemented – which must champion the interests of the people. “What will replace” not just “who will replace”. The program and the stand on the issues are ways to unite the people and reject those who merely seek to replace one corrupt regime with another corrupt regime. That is why it is important to widely discuss the alternative program early on, so that the overall direction to be taken, beyond the issue of replacing Marcos and Duterte, becomes clear.
