The "Bayanikasan" Constitution-Effective Democracy For All

The Bayanikasan Constitution-Effective Democracy For All

The brainchild of Dr. Salvador Z. Araneta was based on Philconsa studies (1968 to 1971). It called for a Federal Republic of the Philippines. Because it proposed many drastic reforms that would require time before people would accept the terms, Araneta envisioned this to be adopted in 10 to 20 years.

PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY; DEMOCRATIZATION OF WEALTH: A COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP THROUGH THE TROIKA; MODERATING POWERS IN THE GOVERNMENT; A SEMI-UNITARY GOVERNMENT WITH LOCAL AUTONOMY, WERE ALL PART OF HIS VISION FOR THE FUTURE.

The Federal form of government would separate Muslim Mindanao from Christian Mindanao; for greater participation from Christian Mindanao; for greater participation in government, the state would promote the establishment of non profit institutions and foundations that would participate; in nation building with involvement in government affairs especially in legislation and socio economic development.

ARTICLE 83 – called for the termination of the treaty allowing the U.S. to maintain based in the Philippines and to work for the international neutralization of the republic of the Philippines.

ARTICLE 44 – to remedy the backlog of cases for “speedy and equal justice for all,” it was proposed that a constitutional and Special Courts of original jurisdiction under it, be created to handle all cases involving public law, so that the exixting Judiciary will only have jurisdiction over private law cases. It also urged the creation of temporary additional divisions in the Supreme Court and Court af Appeals and temporary courts of First Instance to exclusively hear and dispose of the backload of cases. Further to reduce the kinds of cases that may be appealed to the court of Appeals and to the Supreme Court.

ARTICLE 24 – the creation of the NEDA for achieving a sustainable economy to formulate, in consultation with the NACE (National Authority on Culture and Education) definite national economic and social policies, taking into account the limited fuel resources and foreign exchangae, the high cost of foreign fund, the need to return to a less sophisticated way of life and to nature and the simple way of life in the tropics, the evils of pollution, the need to provide proper balance of available physical and spiritual work to all, and in sum, the promotion of the Bayanikasan way of life and the national purpose. (See Section 4 of the proposed Ordinance)

ARTICLE 65 provides – to solve the problem of inflation exiting at the (then) rate of 15% to 20% a year an to simultaneously solve the problem of unemployment – a policy of full employment must be carried out. Unemployment which cannot be absorbed by normal work opportunities could be taken over by such projects, as follows:

1. A vast reforestation program program for flood control and tree fuel source;

2. A bold housing located in new industrial estates;

3. Essential infrastructure;

4. A bold program of rural school building;

5. A program of high school and vocational and academic courses at every municipality;

6. A program of colleges and universities in every province;

7. A bold program of hospital builsings using medicines from our flora and fauna along with western medicines, accessible to all families;

8. Rapid, efficient and maximum development of all new natural resources. Giving high priority to those that are inexhaustible such as the sun wind and the tide and the maximum attention to our water, mangrove, geothermal, petroleum, coal, lime and mineral resources.

9. Reclamation of our huge marshes leaving about one forth untouched to preserve the ecological balance, three – fourths thereof to be used to convert adjoining blocks: fishponds of about 2 hectares each, alternating with areas to be used for agricultural of urban purpose, of about one hectare each. The urban area shall not extend to one-tenth of the agricultural area which will be irrigated with excess water from the fishponds.

10. The use of water resources from all our rivers for mini or medium-sized hydroelectric power; also for irrigation and water conservation.

Note: The above item, is a capsulized presentation of the "Bayanikasan" concept; thanks to Ma. Lina Araneta-Santiago, daughter of the late Dr. Salvador Z. Araneta and Victoria Ledesma Lopez de Araneta. Salamat!
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