Articles written by Alan Mark De Luzuriaga for The Bitbag - www.thebitbag.com -
for Sept. 2013
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Abbot Hit for being like Bush and for Lack of Women and Science
by Alan Mark De Luzuriaga
Tony Abbot named his front bench on Monday the 16th of September 2013. And immediately, the much heralded new Abbot immediately morphed into the old one. That is, if one is to believe the criticisms that are are being hurled right after the announcement. A major cause of the criticism is the lack of women in the 19-member cabinet. The only woman in the cabinet is deputy prime minister elect Julie Bishop. Abbot himself expressed “disappointment” that there were not “at least two” women in his cabinet saying that he expects more women to be promoted and join the front bench over time.
The prime minister-elect, however showed a cabinet that is very much experienced. His senior ministers, numbering 15, have all served under former Prime Minister John Howard. As Australia's last conservative minister, Howard is considered by many as Abbot's mentor, having brought him into the Howard cabinet in 2001. These selections of ministers, however, are igniting other criticisms on how Abbot will most likely mirror not only Howard's policies, but that of former President of the United States, George W. Bush. It can be remembered that Howard once referred to himself as Bush's “Deputy Sheriff” in the region and pundits are pointing out that Abbot might take on that role as well.
Early indications from international observers, as well as comments from foreign leaders have indicated that they perceive Abbot as a leader in the same “mold” as former President and Conservative Republican George W. Bush. Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom tweeted that he was delighted to work with “another center right leader”. Tim Stanley, a columnist for the UK's Daily Telegraph declared Abbot's win as a victory for “Christian Conservatives”. Abbot has campaigned on a mixture of conservatism mixed with populism and this combination seems to have been a winning formula as evidenced by his victory. But, critics are predicting that his conservative and right wing agenda will be more evident in the days to come.
An indication of his policies, like his stand on climate change, can be gleaned from his non-appointment of a science minister. It is noted that since the establishment of the office in 1931, this will be the first time that Australia will not be having a Minister of Parliament that will be directly answerable for the development of science in the country. Critics are “confused” and “disappointed” that something as important as science and technology will not have a minister to oversee its mandate in dealing with health, industry and other affected sectors. Abbot decided that the science portfolio will be divided and shared between the ministries of Education and Industry.
Abbot's “slow and steady” manner in assuming his post in government is definitely not stopping the judgments and opinions on his recent actions. So it is probably prudent on his part not to recall parliament at this point saying he would only do so until some form of legislation is needed. He has also managed to sidestep questions about the budget by deferring the budget review till January 2014, amidst criticism by the opposition that he is trying to evade scrutiny on the so called “budget emergency”. The one area, he is not evading, though is his policy on asylum seekers and vows to “stop the boats” once he is sworn into office. His admission that it is a “stand or fall issue” on this matter, just might, like other matters that are being raised against him at this early juncture, decide how his government will rise up to the challenges in the coming days.
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Aquino
Spokesman Lacierda To Resign if Tatad Proves Tales On Napoles
President
Noynoy Aquino's spokesman Edwin Lacierda said he will resign his
position if former Senator Francisco Tatad can prove his allegations
that the President had indeed met with Janet Lim Napoles, the
alleged leader of the syndicate behind the pork barrel scam that is
creating massive political earthquakes in the Philippine political
arena. The meeting was supposed to have taken place hours before
Napoles surrendered to the government. Tatad has implied in his
newspaper column of impropriety on the part of the Philippine
President for giving Napoles special privileges.
For
the past several weeks, the Napoles “Pork Barrel Scandal” has
created shockwaves that have the potential to bring down the
political careers of countless senators, congressmen and government
officials that are allegedly involved and have pocketed billions of
Pesos in government funds. The “Pork Barrel” fund refers to the
PDAF – or the Priority Development Assistance Fund that is
allocated by the government for projects based on the recommendation
and approval of legislators. The Pork Barrel Fund has long been
accused of being used by politicians to influence their constituents
and calls to the legislators for its abolishment for many years has
fallen on deaf ears.
A
criminal complaint filed against Napoles had inadvertently spilled a
can of worms when it was discovered that Napoles headed a syndicate
for many years (dating back to the administration of disgraced former
President Gloria Arroyo – herself facing charges of plunder) that
created fake organizations that received the pork barrel funding
approved by legislators . Napoles would pocket a huge percentage of
the fund while she provided the legislators with a share of the
released budget. Current reports indicate that more than 10 Billion
Pesos of government funds have been pocketed by Napoles and the
legislators who conspired with her.
Francisco
Tatad, a former information minister of ousted President and dictator
Ferdinand Marcos, wrote in his column that Napoles met with President
Aquino and other government officials for a period of six hours on
the 28th
of August, the same day that she surrendered to the authorities.
Lacierda
challenged Tatad by saying that “ If he can prove to me that
Napoles had lunch with the President, I will resign, simple as that.
Let me also say that if he doesn’t prove his claim, then he should
stop. He should apologize to us. I mean, we’re giving him too much
news already. It’s all used. It’s all not true, obviously.”
He
added that Tatad continues to invent “tall tales” against the
President without any evidence or proof. Tatad has yet to identify
his supposed source inside the Aquino government. Lacierda said that
he is still waiting for Tatad to reveal who his source is and prove
his allegations.
Tatad
meanwhile has made additional charges that President Aquino allegedly
conspired with Napoles herself to use 49 to 69 Billion Pesos worth of
pork barrel funds to bribe members of the lower house to support the
passage of the RH or reproductive health bill and also to guarantee
the impeachment of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
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ASEAN : Relevance in
the Asian Era of Prosperity and Conflict
By Alan Mark De Luzuriaga
It has been several years ago when the
current times had first been declared as the Asian Century. And it
may be rightly so. Not only with the rise of China as a superpower at
par with the United States, but, also with the positive development
of a number of Asian economies, from the perennial Asian Tigers like
Japan, Singapore and Korea and the rapidly growing Asian Cubs such
as Vietnam and the Philippines.
This dynamic region is also home to a
Forty six year old economic and geopolitical organization known as
ASEAN, short for Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Currently
composed of Ten countries (from the original five founders –
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines), ASEAN has
strived these past decades to foster economic cooperation as well as
promote peace and order in the region.
In the past years, ASEAN has struggled
to establish itself as a power bloc, primarily because of the
internal problems and instability that each member country had to
prioritize. Likewise, direct interests in dealing with the United
States, Europe and China has made its commitments to its Southeast
Asian neighbours secondary in importance. With the rise of China as
a major superpower in the recent years, members of ASEAN continue to
find itself with conflicts of interest in establishing itself as a
relevant grouping. On the other hand, relaxed trade barriers and
access to markets between member countries and with China has
resulted in the rapid growth of these Asian economies.
Recent territorial disputes within the
South China Sea / West Philippine Sea is a possible litmus test for
the identity of ASEAN as a relevant organization. The Spratly
islands, a grouping of 750 islands have a total land area not
exceeding two square miles. However, they are believed to have
massive oil and gas reserves, enough reason for its six claimants,
namely China and Taiwan, as well as four of the ASEAN members –
Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei, to risk possible conflict
and confrontation. How ASEAN will manage to mediate between its
member countries, as well as deal with China and Taiwan on this
matter may be the biggest challenge yet to this alliance.
In 2012, serious confrontations
erupted between China and two ASEAN members – Philippines and
Vietnam – over the islands. Both ASEAN nations have accused China
of sabotaging its oil exploration activities. China has sent an array
of warships into the disputed territories to display its superior
military might. The Philippines has called on their treaty with the
United States to counter the Chinese show of force and renamed the
South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea. But, in all these
disputes, ASEAN has never taken a solid stand. It was only
recently, in August 2013 that ASEAN announced a unified statement.
And this is only to say that they are one in convincing China to sit
down and talk on the long delayed completion of the code of conduct
on the South China / West Philippine Sea.
Many have longed for ASEAN to make the
quantum leap as an organization and make it as relevant as other
international alliances such as the European Union. In the recent
22nd ASEAN Summit early this year in Bandar Seri Begawan,
Brunei, the leaders of these ten member countries met under the theme
of “ Our People, Our Future Together”. These coming months, amid
the climate of global economic growth and uncertain conflicts, ASEAN
will have more than its plate full to once and for all, after almost
fifty years of existence, prove its purpose and importance as an
influential and relevant confederation in the international
community.
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A
Surprising New Abbot Enters a New World
By: Alan Mark
De Luzuriaga
Australia has just elected
a new government over a week ago and all eyes are on Prime
Minister-elect Tony Abbot. Since the opinion polls practically showed
him winning even before election day, political pundits have made
countless predictions on how Abbot was going to run the government to
the ground from day one. His reputation as presented by his
opponents with the help of unfriendly media did not help counter
the projection of a “crazy and misogynist” leader once he is
sworn in. His verbal blunders made him an attractive target for many
a doomsday scenarios for his administration. So what has happened
since?
The recent campaign, surprisingly proved his detractors wrong. Once described as not
having the temperament to be a world class leader, most especially in
handling foreign affairs, Abbot was able to transform his persona
into somebody else, surprising even some of his most vile critics.
Many observers noted that Abbot conducted himself as a serious
candidate and erased doubts about his electability. Even as his
opponents tried to resurrect several of his political gaffes during
the campaign, Abbot was able to cultivate and maintain a positive
image long enough to last until judgement day. His reportedly usual
style of frenetic and confrontational interaction was replaced with
a slow and calm demeanor, especially during the last days of the
campaign.
Since his election last
September 7, 2013, The newly elected Prime Minister has not held a
press conference in the week that passed, but instead has met with his
potential front bench members and his defense chiefs. His office has
also indicated that he has communicated with a few international
leaders in the past days. His caution at making announcements on
possible changes he is implementing once he is sworn in has caught a
number of political figures and commentators by surprise. People have
even downplayed a few verbal boo boos such as comments about the sex
appeal of a female candidate and a simplistic remark about the crisis
in Syria.
In a meeting with his
Defense Chiefs early on before assuming his position, Abbot is
projecting an image of preparedness, in particular, in the defense
policies of his administration. Although defense, like foreign
policy were peripheral issues during the campaign ( with the economy
taking the lead issue), he is showing the public a new person that is
more in tune with the new post he is about to occupy. Defense issues
are going to be a prominent part of his agenda in the coming days as
Australia enters into its presidency of the U.N. Security Council
and amid the backdrop of a growing and volatile situation in Syria.
As Australia assumes the
chair of the G20 in 2014, Abbot also needs to prove his critics
wrong in showing a new kind of foreign leader that is ready to
continue steering Australia's role as a leading trading nation and a
significant and reliable contributor of foreign humanitarian aid. His
position on Syria vis-a-vis maintaining relations with the United
States, Europe and China will also test his mettle on the myriad of
issues that need to be handled on the foreign affairs front.
No one is betting that
these new changes that were evident during the campaign and his first
few days after the election will stick, or eventually disappear
into the Abbot of old. His supporters on the other hand, are saying
that this new person is the real Abbot all along. For all
Australians and the rest of the world, all eyes are indeed on the
old and the new Tony Abbot and the new world he is embarking on.
