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[av_heading heading=’2018 a year of delight and fright’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY EDGARDO J. ANGARA
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January 12, 2018
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2017 is a good year for the global economy. The US growth rate was nearly explosive, equities boomed, unemployment rate reduced and inflation tamed. EU’s big economies — Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain — chalked up the fastest recovery among the regional blocs from the 2010 meltdown. Asian economic giants—China, Japan, India and the ASEAN — didn’t cease being innovative and dynamic. Except for Latin America and Africa plagued by autocratic rulers, drug lords and civil wars, the world in 2017 seems satisfied and contented with itself.
On the political scene, the global order was being rocked by North Korea’s build-up of its nuclear arsenal, the abdication of American global leadership, China’s aggressive building of islands and its militarization of the South China Sea, Russia’s interference in elections of several democratic countries, US unilateral action on the Iran nuclear deal, and the US administration’s proclamation of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Domestically, 2017 brought unique challenges to our country. Not least of these was the five-month long Marawi siege between government forces and ISIS-inspired terrorists, leveling a city some estimate would cost up to P150 billion to rehabilitate.
The administration’s war against drugs was marred by the death of a high-profile politician and 13 of his relatives and companions during a drug raid in Mindanao, the kidnapping and murder of a Korean businessman in the PNP’s own central office in Camp Crame, and an incident where Mandaluyong police fatally but mistakenly shot an individual bringing a wounded woman to the hospital. Most tragically was the killing of two teenagers, Kian Delos Santos and Carl Angelo Arnaiz, supposedly during shootouts with police.
The threats occurring abroad and rocking many regions of the world will surely affect our own economic progress. The planet has become one global village.
To an already anxious world is the congressional announcement that charter change (ChaCha) and the shift to federalism will be the dominant policy priority for 2018. And the suggestion of a “no-election” scenario for 2019, extending the term of President Duterte, as part of the transition to federalism.
Not to mention the uncertainty created by impeachment proceedings of chiefs of independent institutions like the Supreme Court and the Office of the Ombudsman. While the impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno are expected to finish in March, an impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has already been filed at the House of Representatives. Newsbreak aptly described these developments as the “decline of checks and balances” in the country.
We certainly welcome a new year and definitely need dramatic change in our political system. But change must not be effected by bypassing constitutional processes and procedural safeguards. (Email: angara.ed@gmail.com| Facebook & Twitter: @edangara)/PN
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