Friday, 01 April 2011 00:00

Written by Dr. Edna E. A. Co

Tags: Take Five

Yes indeed, the question is what’s rice crisis got to do with the national security? The query  grabbed the headline of the Philippine Daily Inquirer in its 12 April 2011 issue.  That to me, is an intelligent question that should allow leaders particularly  the President, to think thru the way ahead toward poverty reduction. But, poverty reduction is not the only goal here. By addressing rice crisis in particular and food shortage in general, the administration keeps protests and uproars at bay. Notice the serial protests in the Arab world – the protests which appear to be planned and synchronized are not just about the persistence of long standing rulers and of authoritarianism. The protests are not just about democracy in a political sense, but these are fundamentally also about democracy  - the people’s economic and social rights or the lack of these. When most people do not have access to food and staples, society digs its own vulnerability.  Vulnerability  then contributes to discontent and if not thwarted early enough, could lead to unrest and threats to security and stability.

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Friday, 18 March 2011 06:47

Written by Dr. Edna E. A. Co

Tags: Take Five

IT IS GOOD NEWS that PNoy is open to the idea of holding the polls in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Earlier, there have been strong and widespread opinions about the postponement of the ARMM election. I attended a round table discussion sometime in January 2011 amongst respectable leaders and opinion makers in Mindanao, including party and party list representatives, about the ARMM election. The general sentiment then was for the postponement of the ARMM election, on various grounds. Among the reasons cited were: Firstly, that the field is not level in many parts of Mindanao and especially in Maguindanao. Opinions add: one could predict the outcome of the polls. The domination by the clans and families are pronounced, therefore why hold election at this point? Secondly, it should take some time and some efforts to prepare for a truly meaningful election in the ARMM. Thirdly, we have a trusted person in Malacañang, and it may be better to allow for either an appointment by Malacañang of some leaders if necessary, until such time when election might be meaningful in the ARMM.

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