Professional Documents
Culture Documents
By Alan S. Cajes
Francisco Nemenzo, A Nation in Ferment: Analysis of the Philippine Revolution, The Aquino Alternative (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1986), pp. 2853. 2 M. Rajaretnam, editor, The Aquino Alternative (Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, 1986), p. 135. 3 Prof. Florentino H. Hornedo uses this phrase to explain development.
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including special autonomous regions for the Muslims and cultural minorities; From hegemonic, one party system dominated by a coalition of elite leaders to two-party or multi-party system consisting of both elite-dominated parties and vertical personal alliances with similar ideologies, and From elitist and paternalistic organization dominated by politicians to more egalitarian and mass-based organizations led by ideological leaders.4
Several of the ideological and structural reforms are reflected in the 1987 Constitution.
Jose V. Abueva, The Filipino Nation in Search of Itself: Towards Independence, Democracy and Development in a Just World Order, Philippines at the Crossroads: Some Visions for the Nation (Center for Research and Communication, 1986), pp. 907921.
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Florentino H. Hornedo, Notes on Postmodern Literary Theory and Criticism Unitas (September, 1995), pp. 53-76. 6 Ibid., p. 70.
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This idea helps us understand, for example, why the Philippine Constitution guarantees the right of workers to strike in accordance with law, why it recognizes the right of the people to recall elected public officials, why it provides for the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP, and why it calls for the abolition of paramilitary groups and political dynasties. The Leveling of Hierarchies is manifested in the flattening of the vertical social structures. Hierarchy, as a social structure, is vertical "Some hold power. Some more powerful than others. This is the structure of hegemony which the temper of postmodernism opposes. And the effect is "bringing down the mighty from their thrones, and the exaltation of the lowly".7 Another factor in the leveling of hierarchies is the "democratization of about almost everything". In brief, it may be described as a condition in which everybody is at the mercy of everybody. Under this condition, it is difficult for hierarchy to figure in.8 Why is there a concern for mass or popular culture? F. H. Hornedo explains, "Mass or popular culture is a location in the socio-cultural environment in which converge the different social class interest. This convergence does not mean congruence, but mere meeting point the way a forest may be the converging point of wildlife, ecological conservationists, biologists, hunters, and outlaws. Each one is there for some reason of his own, and is there because the location presents something that served his individual interest."9 Thus, mass or popular culture has become a medium for the promotion of particular vested interests.
The center left included the left of the Social Democratic movement, human rights lawyers associated with MABINI, the association called KAAKBAY led by the late Jose W. Diokno, and left academics of universities, and many other urban middle class organizations. The left was represented by the National Democratic movement, the old Communist Party of the Philippines, and smaller groups that later coalesced around the independent socialist group BISIG. In other words, the Revolutionary Government of Ms. Aquino was backed up by a rainbow coalition of conservatives, liberals, and progressives, each representing diverse and divergent interests.10 This rainbow coalition, in turn, is the architect of the 1987 Constitution. ______________ Appendix The Freedom Constitution of 1986
On March 25, 1986, former President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 9, otherwise known as the Freedom Constitution. The said freedom constitution became the basis for the revolutionary government of 1986. Both the 1935 and the 1973 constitutions stated the source of their authority in their Preambles, namely the people. The Freedom Constitution is founded on the mandate of the people who catapulted Ms. Aquino to the presidency. A summary follows: 1. 2. Adoption of the provisions on National Territory, Citizenship, Bill of Rights, Duties and Obligations of Citizens and Suffrage enshrined in the 1973 Constitution. Adoption of the provisions of the Declaration of Principles and State Policies, the President, the Judiciary, Local Government, the Constitutional Commissions, Accountability of Public Officer, the National Economy and Patrimony of the Nation, and General Provisions of the 1973 Constitution, as amended. Abolition of the Batasang Pambansa, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, and repel of the Amendments, Transitory Provisions, and all their Amendments. Provides the President with executive and legislative powers. Provides the President with the power to reorganize the government. Adoption of all existing laws, and related issuances consistent with the Proclamation. Provides the President with the power to review, amend, modify or revoke all contracts, concessions, permits or other forms of privileges for the exploration, development, exploitation, or utilization of natural resources entered into, granted, issued or acquired prior to the Proclamation. Provides the President with the power to appoint a Constitutional Commission. Provides the President with the power to determine the date of the local elections.
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