What to expect six years after 2016 (First of Two Parts)

Whoever we elect as our Chief Executive by 2016, he (or Heaven please don't, a she!) will inherit a government beset by the same old problems as before yet, uncontrollably entering a new phrase in its economic development. There is no denying that our economy is improving and interest is growing. The only problem is really how to manage its growth so that our people will finally get something out of it.

True, economic growth must be sustained for a period of two terms, meaning twelve years before any improvement in the lives of the people become evident. To achieve this, there must be a continuance of the policies which allowed such growth to flourish. What am I saying here?

Government must continue its tight spending--that nothing is left to chance and that spending people's monies should be treated as strategic rather than tactical. When PDAF was lifted out of the system, the monies which usually goes straight to the pockets of our politicians were put to a much better use than before. Look at the landscape and you'll see an improved infrastructure and somewhat an easement in the lives of the economic sectors like farmers and fishermen.

Graft and corruption stays yet, due to the improved judicial system, these thieves in barong are becoming an extinct species. It takes extraordinary effort now to steal the people's monies, and many people in the bureaucracy are entirely careful not to trip some wires that would alert the public of their misdemeanours.

If the schedule by Malacanan pushes thru, we will be implementing the transitional phase for the creation of the Bangsamoro sub-state. So, expect extraordinary incidents in that part of the Philippines. Forces, both political and economic, would work in tandem to frustrate this. Mindanao is a big area of interests mainly by big economic forces, so these people would definitely do some wrecking just to frustrate the aspirations of the Bangsamoro people. Of course, these people would tap their long-time political and economic allies from among the Bangsamoro people.

What these people do not realise is the fact that the issue has turned into a very serious thing that a tilt towards extremism is possible if this experiment fails. The Bangsamoro Basic Law has turned into a galvanising force that both militant and non-militant components have already reached a point of convergence.

Experts expect that in one way or another, the ISIS will eventually reach Philippine shores. A militant Bangsamoro Mindanao aided by foreign funds could tilt a war in favour of the insurgents.