Marcos Backs Amending Economic Provisions, Warns Against Secession

 

Introduction

In May 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was elected president of the Philippines in a landslide victory, taking over 31 million votes. Marcos Jr., commonly referred to as "Bongbong", is the son and namesake of the country's former authoritarian ruler Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who was ousted in 1986 through the People Power Revolution.

Marcos Jr. campaigned on a message of unity, promising to uplift the lives of poor Filipinos and restore trust in government. His win marked a political comeback for the Marcos family, who have regained popularity in recent years despite allegations of plundering billions of dollars from state coffers during the elder Marcos' 20-year rule.

Now embarking on his 6-year presidential term, Marcos Jr. aims to bring economic progress while consolidating his family's power. He faces high public expectations along with concerns over human rights, corruption, and the Marcos family legacy.

Marcos' Views on Charter Change

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed his support for amending the 1987 Philippine constitution to allow increased foreign ownership and control of key Philippine industries and assets. Specifically, he is advocating for economic provisions in the constitution to be revised in order to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI).

President Marcos believes opening up the economy will accelerate growth and job creation in the Philippines. He argues the country has missed opportunities for FDI and hindered economic progress due to restrictive protectionist policies enshrined in the constitution that limit foreign involvement in certain sectors such as public utilities, media, advertising and education.

During his election campaign, Marcos vowed to relax the 60/40 equity restrictions which cap foreign ownership at 40% for public utilities, educational institutions and other key enterprises. He wants 100% foreign ownership permitted in certain sectors, claiming this will make the Philippines more competitive regionally.

However, charter change remains contentious in the Philippines. Opponents argue it could lead to foreign control of land and resources. Any changes require a three-fourths vote in Congress and nationwide referendum under the current constitution. But with strong majorities in the House and Senate, Marcos may have the support needed to pass amendments focused narrowly on economic reforms.

Proposed Economic Reforms

President Bongbong Marcos has proposed a range of economic reforms and changes that he aims to pursue through charter change. One of his key priorities is amending restrictions on foreign ownership in order to attract more foreign direct investments into the country.

Marcos wants to open up the Philippine economy and allow 100% foreign ownership in certain sectors such as public utilities. Currently, the 1987 constitution limits foreign ownership to 40% for public utilities, which include telecommunications, transportation, and energy. Marcos argues that easing these restrictions will make the country more competitive regionally and globally.

In addition, Marcos is pushing for economic provisions that promote rural development and job creation for Filipinos. He wants to amend the constitution to explicitly encourage investments in countryside infrastructure, agriculture, and rural enterprises. His administration aims to boost productivity and incomes for farmers and fisherfolk.

Marcos has also proposed more autonomy for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to give the central bank more flexibility in setting monetary policy. He wants the BSP to have more room to adjust interest rates and take measures to curb inflation. This could potentially shield the economy from political pressures.

Overall, Marcos is advocating for constitutional changes that give the government greater leverage to open up the economy, attract foreign capital, and pursue rural development programs. He views charter change as a key step for boosting the Philippines' economic growth trajectory. However, his proposals face significant opposition and will require building broad political consensus.

Response to Bangsamoro Transition Authority

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is the interim government in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Recently, some BTA officials have raised the prospect of the Bangsamoro region seeking self-determination and secession from the Philippines if their demands for autonomy are not met.

Marcos strongly opposes any secessionist rhetoric from the BTA. He stated that he will not allow any part of the Philippines to secede, emphasizing the importance of national unity. Marcos invoked provisions in the 1987 Constitution that expressly prohibit secession and maintain that the territorial integrity of the Philippines must be preserved.

The president-elect called on the BTA to refrain from making threats of separation from the country. He said these types of statements are counterproductive and undermine the goal of lasting peace and development in Muslim Mindanao. Marcos said he is open to dialogue, but that secession can never be on the negotiation table.

Stance Against Secession

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has made it clear he is firmly against any region of the Philippines separating or seceding from the country. During his first State of the Nation Address, Marcos stated unity is key and divisions must be healed.

Marcos directly addressed rumblings in the Bangsamoro region about potentially separating. He said he will not allow any part of the Philippines to secede. Marcos insists the country must remain united and undivided.

The president referenced historical lessons where division and infighting led to foreign occupation. He said secessionist ideas go against the goal of a united Philippines that is prosperous and secure. Marcos pledged to personally oversee efforts for peace and development in Muslim Mindanao to address issues fuelling separatist notions.

Overall, Marcos was adamant that he will not tolerate any proposals for certain regions to break away. He said territorial integrity and sovereignty must be maintained across the entire Philippines. The president plans to focus on conflict resolution and economic progress to persuade all citizens that the country is stronger together as one nation.

Human Rights Concerns

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s election to the presidency has raised concerns among human rights groups, given the extensive human rights abuses that occurred under the dictatorship of his father Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

The elder Marcos ruled the Philippines for over 20 years after declaring martial law in 1972. During this time, thousands of activists, journalists, opposition politicians, and civilians were imprisoned, tortured, killed or disappeared for going against Marcos' rule.

Amnesty International estimated in 1976 that 70,000 people had been detained for political reasons since martial law began. Human Rights organizations documented 3,257 known victims of extrajudicial killings, 35,000 documented cases of torture, and 70,000 incarcerations during this dark period of Philippine history.

Marcos Sr. looted billions from the country’s coffers which were funneled to offshore accounts and spent lavishly on real estate and art. The Presidential Commission on Good Government has worked for decades to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses, with $3.7 billion recovered so far.

Many are concerned that the Marcos family still has not acknowledged the extent of these human rights violations and ill-gotten wealth. There are worries that history may repeat itself under another Marcos presidency. Bongbong Marcos has called his father's presidency the "golden age" of the Philippines and stated he will not apologize for abuses under martial law.

Marcos' Political Priorities

As president, Marcos has outlined several key policy priorities for his administration. His economic agenda aims to continue infrastructure development, strengthen healthcare, education, and social services, provide assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, and pursue green and sustainable growth.

In terms of governance, Marcos wants to improve transparency, efficiency, and digitalization across government agencies and processes. He has also emphasized upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, and fighting corruption.

On foreign affairs, Marcos seeks to pursue an independent foreign policy that promotes national interests. He wants to strengthen ties with allies and neighboring countries. Marcos also aims to continue defending Philippines' rights and claims in the West Philippine Sea.

For socio-political affairs, Marcos wants to promote unity, healing, and reconciliation across different sectors of society. He has called for open and respectful discourse to address divisive issues. Marcos also seeks to advance peace processes with rebel groups to end long-running insurgencies.

Overall, Marcos has presented a vision of continuity in macroeconomic policy alongside institutional reforms to improve quality of life and democratic processes. The effectiveness of his administration in delivering on these policy goals remains to be seen.

Public Perception

Despite controversies, President Marcos maintains relatively strong public support according to opinion polls and surveys. A Pulse Asia survey conducted in December 2022 showed Marcos having a 72% approval rating. This was higher than his predecessor's 60% rating at the same point in his term.

Similarly, Marcos scored a "very good" net satisfaction rating of +67 in a Social Weather Stations survey released in January 2023. This survey asked Filipinos to rate the President's performance on a scale from "excellent" to "poor". 64% of respondents gave Marcos a "good" or "excellent" rating.

Marcos' consistently high approval and trust ratings indicate that he continues to enjoy a significant level of popularity, especially among lower income groups. Critics argue that these surveys don't fully capture discontent among certain sectors like activists, opposition groups, and those critical of the Marcos family's legacy.

Nonetheless, Marcos seems to have retained his broad base of support that helped sweep him into office. Factors driving his popularity likely include his active social media presence, populist economic rhetoric, and family name-recall in rural areas. However, his popularity faces risks if he fails to deliver on his policy promises to voters. Public satisfaction could decline if economic conditions deteriorate or controversies escalate further.

Expert Analysis

Political analysts have offered different perspectives on Marcos' policy proposals and statements. Some experts praised his openness to charter change for economic reforms. "Marcos seems willing to take necessary steps to update the 1987 constitution and reform outdated economic provisions that hinder growth and investment," said [Economics Professor] from [University]. "However, any changes must be carefully considered and protect the core values of democracy and social justice."

Other analysts raised concerns over Marcos' dismissal of federalism and stance on human rights. "While charter change may help the economy, Marcos risks repeating the mistakes of his namesake and predecessor if he does not uphold basic freedoms and balance economic aims with principles of equality," warned [Political Scientist] of [Think Tank]. "His reluctance to implement federalism is also worrying for parts of the country seeking greater political autonomy."

On the issue of secession, experts were divided. "Marcos is right to take a firm stance against separatism and any unilateral secession attempts which go against the Filipino democratic process," argued [Law Professor]. However, some feel Marcos should be more open to constructive dialogue. "While secession may be unfeasible, negotiators like the Bangsamoro Transition Authority deserve a seat at the table," said [Peace Process Expert]. "Their grievances should be acknowledged even if outright separation is not on the agenda."

In summary, experts expressed cautious optimism but also skepticism about Marcos' policy statements and priorities as president. While open to economic reforms, he faces pressure to uphold human rights, democracy and social inclusion. His balancing of these aims and ability to unite different factions will be an ongoing challenge.

Conclusion

Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr's views on economic reforms and national unity as president-elect reflect some continuity from past administrations as well as his own priorities looking ahead. While charter change to liberalize the economy has been proposed before, concrete action has stalled. Marcos will face challenges getting reforms passed but seems intent on trying.

His stance opposing secession aligns with most Philippine presidents, showing his desire for national unity. However, concerns remain around human rights and democratic freedoms under a Marcos presidency. While he has downplayed and defended his father's regime, many citizens still remember it negatively.

Overall, Marcos assumes office with a firm agenda but mixed public perceptions. His success will depend on balancing economic priorities with inclusive, democratic governance. It remains to be seen whether he can accomplish major reforms while uniting Filipinos. With his election win comes optimism from supporters but also uncertainty around his ability to deliver on campaign promises. The outlook of his presidency will become clearer as he begins making policy decisions and appointments over the coming weeks and months.