Philippine Democracy Online

By Orlando Ali M. Mandane Jr., Ph. D University of San Carlos                                     I write this article as a reply to my colleague, perhaps not only to stimulate discussion but also to help find that solution wherever it lurks. I agree with Ryan Maboloc with regards to a possible hopeless scenario: at the end of the day JDV and GMA will savor their comfortable life served in china—pun intended. And, I agree that a common tao may wake up and ask: "unsa ug asa ko mangita ug pamahaw para sa akong lima ka anak?" (Loosely: where can I find breakfast for my five kids?) I disagree to his interpretation.

By Orlando Ali Mandane, Ph.D University of San Carlos                                    The economic facts lay bare before us the harsh reality of our social life: a great majority of the Filipinos share the same economic misery. The high economic growth rate of 7% only means for this country a number to brag, not something to be proud of. Surely, numbers are an inexact representation of our true condition. But in a way, these numbers reveal what policy makers cannot obfuscate: for millions of Filipinos, GDP growth rate does not ring a bell to them; it does not metamorphose into buwad (dried fish) or tinapa (sardines).