An Appeal to Arroyo: DECLARE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND TAKEOVER THESE OIL FIRMS

Dear Madame Arroyo:

This is just my fifth letter to you and the first four letters, I was greatly satisfied. You, through your spokespersons, responded positively to my appeals in this site. For that, I am greatly humbled.

Now, I have just one request and proposal about this so-called OIL SHORTAGE BOGEY that these OIL companies together with their local government LACKEYS and PUBLIC SUPPORTERS want us to believe.

First, time to ask Energy secretary Angelo Reyes to retire. He's causing so much panic and fear for and on behalf of these giant oil companies that it is time for Reyes to leave public service. What he's doing is public DISSERVICE. Best for him to just sit at the board of one of these oil giants.

Second, if you can't ask for his head, ask him to take DRASTIC ACTION. Ask him to use his brain and brawn as a former GENERAL and tell these oil firms to TOE THE LINE or else. Mobilize him immediately and tell him to TAKEOVER ALL THESE OIL FIRMS.

Third, make everything legal by DECLARING A NATIONAL EMERGENCY and TAKEOVER ALL THESE OIL FIRMS. They cannot do anything about it because it is TOTALLY CONSTITUTIONAL.

What is the prime duty of the Government? Let me quote Sec. 4, Article II of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines which states that the primary duty of the Government, " is to serve and protect the People." What else? Under Sec. 5, it is

"the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty AND PROPERTY and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy."

Right now, the people are being threatened by HIGH PRICES which UNDER A STATE OF NATIONAL CALAMITY and ECONOMIC CRISIS, we, the People cannot really cope with. I, myself, am financially distressed because of these high prices. Last night, in fact, some gas stations refused to sell diesel to me.

High prices are caused by excessive MONOPOLISTIC ACTIONS of private companies and enterprises. One of those which acts like a MONOPOLY is the OIL GIANTS, led by PETRON, SHELL and CALTEX.

Monopoly is prohibited under Sec. 19 of Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, which states, and I quote:

" The State shall regulate or prohibit monopolies when the public interest so requires. No combinatins in restraint of trade or unfair competition shall be allowed."

Under Sec. 17, of Article XII, the state is empowered to act accordingly and takeover enterprises under a state of national emergency. Let me state it clearly:

In times of national emergency, when the public interest so requires, the State may, during the emergency and under reasonable terms prescribed by it, temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or business affected with public interest.

Section 18, of the same Article, it states:

 "in the interest of national welfare or defense, establish and operate vital industries, and upon payment of just compensation, transfer to public ownership utilities and other private enterprises to be operated by Government."

Act with dispatch Madame President.

If these oil companies threaten us and are creating this OIL SUPPLY SHORTAGE BOGEY, let GOVERNMENT take over. If these companies are hoping that you'll back down, DO NOT.

This is now, a matter of grave security concern. This is a direct test of the powers of the government, particularly the Executive. If you back down on this, people will start believing that you are a LAME DUCK President already---not good for your public image and definitely, not helpful if you want to run as Congressman or Vice President.

Think about it. These oil firms are causing DESTABILIZATION. Time to cut their horns.

Breakdown Leads to Systems Loss

There's a noticeable increase in crime rate over the past few weeks. This phenomenon validates an earlier PNP intel report which predicts a sharp rise in crime due to the food crisis. However, I do believe that things will turn from bad to worse given that oil prices are starting to get unreasonably high. A higher oil price means higher commodity prices. Higher commodity prices means greater impact on inflation, which affects overall economic growth.

In Indonesia, people are starting to rise up against high fuel and food costs. In some countries in Africa, riots have broken out. In the United States, a rise in property-related incidents have been observed.

Some would say, this is inevitable since the crisis has now reached global proportions. Local market reactions do reflect current global sentiments. However, compared with the handling of our neighbours, we pale considerably especially in food and energy security.

We have the resources and the wherewithal to weather this crisis. We were insulated from the Asian financial crisis during Ramos time. This time though, too much government inaction to fundamental flaws in the system have weakened our state considerably. Too much legislation but too little implementation have exposed us to these dangers. We now face the prospect of an economic breakdown of the entire state economic apparatus. This could lead to a systems loss.

Imagine a situation where people can't buy enough food because of low wages. I expect a widening gap between the rich and the poor. I expect a situation where more and more members of the middle class going down the social stratum due to high inflation.

More than ever, we need a strong government that promotes national welfare instead of a few aristocratic interests. We need a government that creates rather than destroy enterprises. We need a government with a strong political will that will fight the enemies of the state with the full force of the law.

Sadly, our system right now is a decrepit one. Its nature is that of a patronage system where the rich enjoys more privileges than the rest of Filipinos. Whatever other theorists might say, this system can be described as semi-capitalist with neo-feudalist tendencies. Aristocrats hold too much power, which affects the democratic processes.

There's a big chance that an implosion might occur in the immediate future. Implosion means internal forces gobbling up the state. This, surely, will result to a system-wide breakdown. If diesel prices reach 50 per liter leading to higher food costs, expect subtle yet dangerous forms of dissent showing up in the crime rate radar.