Political and Economic Challenges of 2012

2012 will be an exciting and quite a difficult year, not just for us, Filipinos, but to the rest of humanity. For one, the issue regarding the unified currency system of the European Union (EU) remains unresolved. Second, the US economy continues to slow down, and joblessness pervades. And lastly, the Japanese economy remains sluggish, a victim of a calamity which no one really expected. 


China continues to perform as the new global economy's powerhouse. As it strives to grow itself into the world's strongest economy, it also tries to flex its military muscles to protect its economic gains. As the Middle East rages due to political crises one after the other, the lost opportunities there shift to other economies, like us. However, to fully maximise this opportunity, the Philippines must fully modernize its structures, particularly communications, to benefit from this expected windfall.


Natural and man-made calamities will continue. It is just a matter of how many casualties. Graft and corruption will remain a fixture of our everyday lives because the very system adopted by so-called "democracies" remains flawed. It is just a matter of how much.


Wars and rumours of wars will reverberate especially in the Middle East where thousands of Arabs want nothing more than establish their own interpretations of democracy based on Quranic principles. Governments in that region remain highly influenced by the West and the fall of old hegemons will lead to the rise of new ones. 


Technologies and modernity will rise much faster than last year. As humans discover newer technologies, several problems relating to health will be solved. Other deadly strains however, will sprout and will pose a greater challenge to human ingenuity. 


The Philippines remains on the right path. First, the government's priority is to further develop its infrastructures. The economy is expected to benefit from the downloading of funds per provinces.


HOwever, I question the 39.2 billion pesos allocated by government to the DSWD for the Tawid Pamilya program. These amounts should have been used in other note-worthy and with longer-lasting benefits. This humongous amount, if re-allocated to some things like building an industry altogether might benefit the poorest of the poor better than giving the monies to them. 


2012 is election year to us. Those who will run for higher positions will make their presence felt in the media. 


This early, Midgs Zubiri is preparing for the Senate. He is forming his team already. 


Those expected to relinquish their posts for the Senate are the following: RUffy Biazon, Riza HOntiveros (which garnered a best finish of 14th in the senate race), and General Danilo Lim. Justice secretary Leila de Lima is also expected to resign from her post to prepare for the elections. De Lima, in my estimation, is a sure winner. However, she must hurdle her greatest challenge---the impeachment and the cases filed against PGMA.


Actually, for the Senate, there is only about six positions out of twelve, open for new comers. Expect the "oldies" to come out strong for a comeback. The Senate race is a totally different ballgame since it requires the candidate to have a very strong and traditional mass base for him to win. Without a solid mass base, a candidate, even if he is wealthy, will not make it. 


Manny Villar will probably field his wife, Cynthia, as his replacement. That leaves it to five positions free for newcomers.