Leftists Out to Embarass FVR

The Philippine Star

Monday, November 4, 1996

Demand and Supply

By BOO CHANCO

The Leftists have been left behind by world and local developments since the mid 80s. It is probably only here where they are still trying to assert themselves one last time. They were left behind by the fast turn of events leading to the 1986 People Power revolution. With the revival of the Philippine economy from its previous desperate condition, they simply have to do something before they are rendered completely irrelevant.

The showdown has come at a most appropriate or inappropriate time, depending on which side of the fence you may be on. The strike at Philippine Airlines and the labor unrest in two other major public utilities is the left's way of testing the patience of the Ramos administration. Will it uphold democratic principles even at the possible sacrifice of whatever budding economic success painstakingly won so far.

What better time to test the Ramos administration than now, when the world's attention is focused on the Philippines for the APEC summit. Concededly nothing more than an annual photo op with the Philippines as the backdrop for this year, the APEC summit can be a publicity and marketing bonanza for the Philippines and its infant tiger economy. Or it could showcase what the world has already known us to be: politically unstable, economic basket case, a country that simply cannot stand success.

The PAL strike may be over for now but the damage had been done. The leftist war of attrition with the Ramos government has started. The leftists hope embarrassing the Ramos administration now will bring them back to a position of strength in the months leading to 1998. Never mind that they bring up such irrelevant issues as the entry of Timorese leader Ramos-Horta. Or cause serious disruptions by instigating labor unrest in major public utilities.

All these will remove whatever glow the Ramos administration presently enjoys for among other things, turning the economy around and hammering a peace agreement with Nur Misuari and the MNLF. Unless they stop the Ramos momentum now, they can't hope to be taken seriously from here on.

Philippine Airlines is the ideal place to start the leftist ball rolling given the administration's antagonistic attitude towards the new owners. Halfhearted government orders which can be ignored with impunity is just about the worse the strikers could expect. The President himself didn't sound too concerned as he pointed out PAL's new competitors can take over the slack. To a stranded passenger on All Saints' Day, that was hardly reassuring given the limited resources of PAL's new competitors.

There are those who suspect that PAL's labor problem could even be the opening needed to once more allow government to take over the ailing airline. What was lost in the boardroom struggle can be won at the picket lines. They should be able to find legal justification to take over the airline in the national interest, should a prolonged strike threaten the APEC summit and thereafter, the economy.

As it is, the image projected abroad is one of anarchy, of government back-to-work orders that could be ignored. Investors with half a mind to set up shop here, are reminded of the dangers they could face with leftist labor unions that government cannot or will not control. And with the leftists focusing on primary utilities like transportation, telecoms and power, the prognosis from the investors viewpoint can't be too encouraging.

Embarrassing the Ramos administration now with wildcat strikes undermines the President's Philippines 2000 dreams. The former general can't forcefully crash the leftist labor unions without being accused of repression and being suspected of harboring Marcosian thoughts of perpetuating himself in power. Or put another way, the leftists may be giving some people in the administration the very excuse they need to crack down.

The President will have to make some tough calls in the next few days. It is only hoped he gets the benefit of better than usual staff support. No one wants to see the toils of the recent past go down the drain, unless you are a leftist leader worried about being forgotten in the dustbin of history.