The pastel-painted economy
By Rolo B. Cena
Pulp Bits

In her keynote speech delivered before the over 500 delegates to the First International LGU Finance Convention held on October 29-30, 2007 at the Negros Oriental Convention Center in Dumaguete City, PGMA promised that no new taxes shall be imposed next year.

In the same speech, she impliedly vowed to keep track of the Philippine economy and to maintain the status quo, or better it. Her announcement created a tidal wave of chorused response from various local government officials including governors, mayors, board members and councilors, tax assessors, and delegates from private sectors.

Last night, one of the terrestrial giants announced that the price of LPG increased by P5 and in the same vein, of oil. As a consequence to this, prices of basic commodities would soonest soar sky high. Transport fare would eventually increase. Expect this in due time.

While the Philippine Peso is growing stronger against the world’s domineering US dollar, the salary wage system is obviously not improving to, at least, deter the increase in the prices of basic commodities. All these were happening shortly after she made her speech.

What a complicated stroke of paintbrush by a troubled artist.

When Vincent Van Gogh painted “Poppies in the Field” in 1889, neither the artist nor the subject had much relevance in the world.

When the then Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn into the office of the President by the incumbent Chief Justice in EDSA 2 toppling Erap, neither the chief justice nor the supporters of Gloria did know the relevance of the event in the lives of the Filipino people today; but certainly they did know the political meaning of which.

Thirty years later, the poppies came to symbolize the blood spilled by young soldiers in the fields of horrible World War I, and this catapulted Van Gogh’s fame after his death in 1890.

About three to four years later, the Filipinos came to associate Gloria with election cheating that they believed have catapulted her to the power of the elected President of the Republic. Years after, several bizarre works of art have been masterfully painted by her: the ZTE in charcoal; the CyberEd in oil, and the extra-judicial killings in water color and the economy in pastel.

The Philippine economy is as troubled as the Philippine politics. If you want to know why the economy is dragging or is going to uncertainty, then it is just wise to know the status of the Philippine politics and the conviction of each political figure involved in the arena.

Analysts said the pardon of Erap would pave way to reconciliation; pessimists maintained that this move would alter not many but only one relationship: Arroyo’s with Estrada and nothing else. Not even Arroyo’s with the Philippine economy.

Reports claimed we are performing well – that’s according to the greatest artist of all times – Gloria. She painted the pastel-colored economy to depict to the world that we are moving forward; she artistically sculptured the hard-earned economy to believe that we Filipinos are not starving.

Arguably, why do Filipinos have to leave the country to earn more for their respective families, why is unemployment not resolved, why do economic-backed crimes increase in numbers? Why are there so many Filipinos squatting in their own land?

Is it because Erap was convicted of plunder? Is it because Filipinos are typically “Juan Tamad” by nature? Or, is it because we are a nation bound to be colonized due to the presence of natural resources?

Nay, not even one of these reasons can justify. It’s only the government that can: more employment opportunities so people can earn more and consequently spend more because, in layman’s language, these measure the economy of people.

Will any one ever re-paint the Philippine economy?

Published, Dumaguete SunStar, 03 November 2007