Internasyonalismo - 2010s
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Internasyonalismo - 2010
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Aquino regime: Defender of the Filipino bourgeoisie
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Dividing the ruling class in the Philippines between administration and opposition has been used by the Right and Left to deceive the toiling masses in bourgeois democracy and elections. But more and more people became aware that the class interests of the administration and opposition are the same: to oppress and exploit the workers and the poor.
The Aquino faction which was previously the opposition is now the administration. The nature of the Aquino regime is no different from the previous ones since the time of Manuel L. Quezon. It is devoted to defend the interests of the Filipino bourgeoisie. Its loyalty to American imperialism depends if it still gets more benefits from the latter compared to its rival powers interested to control the country.
The only difference with the Aquino regime is that it is facing a new and more serious crisis of global capitalism that begun to explode in 2007. For the regime, the only temporary and short-term solution is to unite the entire people under the banner of sacrifice for the motherland using populist rhetoric and propaganda. However, the crisis itself drove the infightings and factionalism within the ruling class deeper while the discontentment of the working class is increasing. This is a major lingering problem for the ruling faction.
The “straight road” of the Aquino regime is only plain rhetoric and propaganda. Thanks to the Left and the Church, Benigno Aquino III won as president last May 2010.
The “straight road” is rapidly exposed as the same old path. Why old path anyway? Because the bourgeoisie’s solution to the current crisis are the same old ones. Same solutions in the past that cause today's crisis: state intervention and debts. The only new and right road is the workers' revolution to destroy capitalism.
The “straight road” of the Aquino regime
a. Factionalism within the ruling clique. Friends and allies of Aquino are pushing each other. Each has its own agenda and interests. They are competing and and out-manoeuvring each other. This is the reason why the failures of the Aquino government are quickly uncovered. No other than DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno confessed that there are five (5) major factions within the Aquino government.
This is not new. Past regimes suffered the same fate. But as one replaces another faction, bickering increases and becomes more violent. The decomposition of the decadent society since the 1980s makes the “one against all” and “every man for himself” totally dominant in every capitalist state and in society in general. No state in the world today, ruled by the Right or Left, is exempted from the effects of decomposition.
b. More borrowings and begging for foreign capital. The state is bankrupt. It is impossible for the Filipino bourgeoisie to have enough capital to compete in the already saturated world market. Philippine economy for more than 100 years has been pumped up by debts and capital from foreign investors. Nevertheless, Philippine state is in big trouble: its creditors (advanced capitalist countries) also suffered the effects of the severe crisis since 2007 and quite busy attacking their “own” proletariat to survive against the onslaught of its own inner contradictions. Foreign capitals are also firmly hooked up to cheaper labor-power in order to surpass its close competitors like China and Vietnam.
The country's debt has already increase to P4.42 trillion. And in order to pay the interests, the government oblige to borrow (again!) from international institutions like the IMF-World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
This September President Benigno Aquino III visited America to beg $ 2.8 billion foreign capital and aid. He shamelessly touted of receiving alms of $ 434 million from Millennium Challenge Corporation.
State bankruptcy is the general tendency today in the capitalist world. Wage cuts, social services cuts like pension and education are common attacks launched by the states against the working population in order to cut its spending. This year, Pilippine Congress is determined to cut the budget of selected state colleges and universities[1]. Notwithstanding continuing attacks on workers wages through the intensification of contractualization and rising prices of commodities. As attacks against the working class in the advance capitalist countries intensifies, so as here in the Philippines.
c. Corruption. This is the central campaign propaganda of the Aquino regime. And with the help of the Left, the Church and media, Benigno Aquino III became “popular” and elected President.
But less than 100 days in Malacanang the Aquino government was exposed as an embodiment of corrupt bureaucrats at the top. Aquino's close lieutenants were pointed out as jueteng protector and have close links with big companies, same as his hated predecessor Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Massive corruption is an inherent evil of a decadent system[2]. And this will get worse as the decadence of the system goes deeper as what is happening now.
d. Peace and order. Like the past regimes, the Aquino regime is powerless to maintain peace in a society in decay. Even the most elementary managing of hostage-taking, despite the vehement propaganda of the PNP that it is well-trained to manage such situation was ridiculed and condemn by the public in its handling last August hostage-taking of Disgruntled former Police senior inspector Rolando Mendoza. Mendoza's action was due to what he felt an injustice in handling his case in the Ombudsman.
Under severe crisis of the social system there is no real peace. Factions of the ruling class keep on fighting in all fields – electoral and armed confrontations – to fight for power and wealth. Their greedy appetite could only be satisfied by subjecting other factions and the masses in general to their rule.
Therefore, “peace talks” between warring factions mean preparing for war. Conflicts between bourgeois factions always lead to war in the era of imperialism. And in these wars, the toiling masses are their cannon-fodders.
e. Defending the interests of capital against the working class and poor. As crisis deepens the state intensifies its attacks on the living conditions of the toiling masses. Around the world today, from America to Europe, Africa to Asia, states attack their “own” workers in a desperate attempt to save the dying system.
In less than 100 days of its rule, the Aquino clique determinedly suppressed the resistance of the workers and farm-workers and renewed attacks against their living conditions.
Taking advantage of the demoralization of the farm-workers in Hacienda Luisita due to adventurism and sectarianism of the maoist union that led their struggle, the management and the State forced the defeated farm-workers to accept the exploitative stock distribution option (SDO) offered by the Hacienda Luisita management and supported by the State[3].
Afraid that the discontentment of the employees of the Philippine Airlines (PAL), the national flag carrier of the Philippine State could gain support from other companies and factories, the State through the Department Of Labor Emplyment (DOLE) immediately imposed the anti-strike Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) on the impending strike of the flight stewards, despite the fact that the the stewards union is just bluffing with its strike threat[4].
Whether the unions are serious or not in launching strike in major industries like PAL, the State facing a severe crisis cannot afford to tolerate even a bluff of a strike in major industries that could cripple the capitalist economy in deep crisis. Nevertheless, we should closely monitor the outcome of this struggle whether the PAL workers will follow the capitulationist tactics of their unions or will take the struggle in their own hands.
In the coming period, as the crisis of world capitalism plunges deeper into the abyss, the Filipino proletariat, like their brothers/sisters in advance capitalist countries would expect increasing attacks from the State in the name of “saving the nation” and for “national interests”.[5] And the class could also expect that the Left of capital, will intensify their activities to challenge the Aquino regime: that they are the genuine defender of the national interests and not the residing now in Malacanang.
The populism of Benigno Aquino III is rapidly waning. However, the Filipino workers are still demoralized and still not yet capable to the self-confidence to organized themselves independent from the control of the unions and the different factions of the Left. On the other hand, the current militancy and resistance of their brothers/sisters in Europe particularly Greece, Spain and France could inspire them.
Patrick, 10/28/2010
[1] No other than President Aquino himself proposed that the budget for the University of the Philippines be cut to PhpP5.5 billion for next year from PhpP6.9 billion this year because it can draw funds from tuition and other fees, and the UP-Ayala Technohub. The State is pushing for an increase in tuition fees to augment funds for education which the liberal bourgeoisie claims as a right under “humane” capitalism.
[2] Previous class-based societies had also experienced massive corruption within the State and violent infightings between factions of the exploiting classes in its decadent stage.
[3] This is not surprising since the family of the President is also the co-owner of Hacienda Luisita. Benigno Aquino III comes from one of the biggest landlord families in the Philippines.
[4] Immediately after DOLE slapped the AJ the union immediately accepts the decision and stopped the plan strike vote which might favor for a strike.
[5] DOLE just recently affirm the proposal of PAL management to retrench 2,600 ground crew regular employees to open the gate of outsourcing and contractualization in PAL.
Internasyonalismo - 2012
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Spratly Conflict: Workers of the Philippines and China, Unite!
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"Workers of the world, unite!" This is the truth and reality under a capitalist system. We, the workers have no national interest, or nationality to side with and defend as an internationalist class. Where ever and part of the world we may be, we are exploited and oppressed by the capital and the local state.
Patriotism and national interest serve only one particular class. History taught us that sovereignty, patriotism, and the state serve only the interest of the bourgeoisie, to control and exploit the working class and the rest of the toiling masses.
The current standoff at the Spratly islands between the Filipino and the Chinese bourgeoisie (both of which are claiming to own the small resource rich island) cries for "national sovereignty" and "territorial integrity". Calls for "national unity" and "defend national territory" reverberated. The bourgeoisie media is now poisoning the minds of the toiling masses, inculcating them that as one race and nation, capitalists and workers are brothers and allies.
The bourgeoisie has been injecting the workers of both countries "love for the motherland” to divide the workers, fight and kill each other.
Territorial dispute over the Spratly islands: a dispute to gain more profit and an inter-imperialist competition in Asia
The dispute over the Spratly islands is not exclusive between China and the Philippines. Other countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia[1] squabbled with them, and Brunei[2] joined-in claiming for the resource rich island. The basis of each country is there long history of colonial aggression and not their "national sovereignty"[3].
To amass more profit is the foremost reason of each national bourgeoisie disputing over the Spratly Islands. Whoever wins over the current standoff, it will not be the toiling mass of China and the Philippines who will gain from it, but the government, bureaucrats, and the capitalists.
Another main reason is the imperialist interest of contending national bourgeoisies; the Spratly Islands is a thoroughfare which can be strategic for a military base, major reason, why China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the USA are disputing over the Island. There have been frictions and armed conflicts for decades now, between China and Vietnam (a USA ally).
Clearly, this friction over the Spratly islands is part of the imperialist rivalry of China and of USA in Asia. There is a need for the ambitious imperialist China to expand its territory because of the global crisis of capitalism. The number one Imperialist power knows this, the USA, and it has given all of its effort to strengthen and guard its boarders in Asia[4].
The national capitals united against the working class
Despite inherent competition of different capitalist factions, national capitals are one in attacking the working class.
As nationalistic/patriotic ideology poisons the workers, diplomatic and economic cooperation amongst the contending countries continue[5]. As some sections of the population of these contending parties are defending sovereignty[6], their capitalists and state bureaucrats are feasting and in revelry with their counterparts in the Philippines, China and USA, talking how they could strengthen their economic relations. In other words, they are talking how to intensify their attacks against the proletariat.
National bourgeoisie of disputing countries extremely exploits and oppresses the workers. Hundreds of thousands of workers in China launched wildcat strikes or demonstrations almost every day against their state and capitalists. Strikes are happening in Vietnam because of low-wages and absence of benefits. Filipino workers face and experience the same issues. The hardships of the proletarians facing the "third world" are nothing different from the hardships of their brothers/sisters in the "first world” countries, particularly the USA.
The main and central objective of each national capital is to fan the flame of tension in order to gain the favor of discontented masses against foreign nation “trampling upon our sovereign right.”
Class unity and struggle against the poison of nationalism and patriotism
It is the capitalist class, local or foreign, the true and primary enemy of the working class.
We should not support the calls of our national bourgeoisie for "national sovereignty" and "defend national territory". The truth behind this calls is, it is the bourgeoisie’s sovereignty to exploit and oppress more the working class; it is the capitalist's territory to amass more profit from our free labor.
Instead, we should unite Filipino and Chinese workers together with our class brothers/sisters in the world to topple down our “own” national bourgeoisies. We must condemn the continued drum beating of our governments and threats of war; war that will only worsen our conditions and lead us to extreme poverty, death, destruction to property, and division among us.
We know that in the current standoff, none of the contending parties has the capacity or the interest to launch an all-out military confrontation and aggression[7]. However, the propaganda of a possible war may attract and influence sections of people who are relatively backward in their consciousness to support their local national bourgeoisie against a foreign bourgeoisie. The main and central objective of the national bourgeoisie of China and the Philippines is to poison the minds of the toiling masses with nationalist fervor and ideology.
Comrades, Filipino and Chinese workers, let us not be persuaded by these sweet talks and smooth speeches, and by poisonous propaganda of our "own" governments! Let us continue our struggle against all attacks of capital upon our ranks within our countries. Let us continue to expose the oppressive and exploitative nature of the capitalist class, local or foreign. We need to strengthen our unity as a class!
"National sovereignty" and "national unity" are chains that will keep us forever enslaved from this capitalist prison. These are devices divisive for the working class of the world. Movements with nationalist line are movements meant to weaken further the international proletarian movement.
Filipino and Chinese proletariats it is not our interest and we have nothing to gain whoever win and own the Spratly islands. Our interest is to free ourselves from poverty, from being wage slaves. Our interest is to end capitalism and build a society free from oppression and exploitation. Our enemies are the governments of the Philippines, Imperialist China, and all Imperialist countries[8].
Capitalism is the root-cause of wars in the era of imperialism. The only guarantee for humanity to have lasting peace is the total destruction of capitalism.
WORKERS OF THE WORLD, UNITE!
DOWN WITH THE CAPITALIST CLASS, LOCAL AND FOREIGN!
OVERTHROW OUR “OWN” NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND NATIONALIST IDEOLOGY!
DOWN WITH IMPERIALIST CHINA AND AMERICA!
DOWN WITH THE WORLD IMPERIALIST SYSTEM!
Internasyonalismo
28 April 2012
[1] www1.american.edu/ted/SPRATLY.htm.
[3] Other than the International Law, The Philippines stand on their claim to own the Scarborough Shoal since the time of the Spanish colonialism (https://globalnation.inquirer.net/34031/ph-sovereignty-based-on-unclos-p... [3]) while Vietnam since the time of French colonialism. And imperialist China base their stand along the same line.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spratly_Islands#cite_note-encarta-23 [4]).
[4] With the balance of power between imperialist China and USA in Asia, North Korea is the only ally of China. This does not follow that USA is the prime enemy in Asia, and “secondary enemies” or "tactical allies" the other competing rival countries. The primary enemy of the world proletariat is the bourgeoisie of the world.
[5] The economic relation between the Philippines and China is continually expanding (www.mb.com.ph/articles/346111/robust-philippineschina-trade-relations [5]), the same with China and the USA (https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html [6]). In fact, China is USA's biggest creditor (https://money.cnn.com/2011/01/18/news/international/thebuzz/index.htm [7]).
[6] Cyber hackers of both China and the Philippines are destroying websites of their "enemy" country.
[7] The standoff at Spratly islands had several small military confrontations between Vietnam and China, calibrated and controlled by both countries not to explode into a full-scale war since their only objective is to heighten the nationalist ideology of their countries. Between China and the Philippines, there is a possibility of small military confrontation drum-beated by the armed forces of the Philippines, USA, and China. Chinese media had lately announced the possibility of small military confrontations between China and the Philippines.
[8] The Philippine maoist movement helps the Filipino bourgeoisie campaigning for nationalist ideology amongst the ranks of Filipino workers. Maoists firmly held-on to the counter-revolutionary tactic of "chose the lesser evil, shown clearly through the statements of their legal organizations, about the friction between China and USA. (https://anakbayannynj.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/us-intervention-not-china-is-the-greatest-threat-to-peace-security-in-the-philippines-bayan-usa/ [8]). However, it is not only the Maoist movement has this thinking, all the rest of the left organizations are embracing the same bankrupt tactics.
Geographical:
- China [9]
- Philippines [10]
Recent and ongoing:
Rubric:
Leaflet for May 1, 2010
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Be Ready! Advance the Militant Struggles
Against the New President of the Philippines!
(Statement on May 1, 2010)
Just a few days to go and the Philippine state will have a new president. On May 1, Filipino workers should use this as an occasion to prepare for struggles because certainly, renewed attacks will be imposed by the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the capitalist system on the suffering people.
Election for the bourgeoisie, not for the workers
The same as the previous elections in the Philippines, the elections this May are for the ruling class to choose who or what faction should seat in Malacanang, parliament and local governments. This is an election to defend the rotten system which for 100 years exploits the people and make them suffer more and more.
All candidates, from presidentiables up to the local levels are from or puppets of the capitalist-haciendero classes. Even the Left, posturing as "progressive" like Bayan Muna or Akbayan are rapidly exposed as just puppets of the big bourgeois parties like the Nacionalista Party (NP) of Manny Villar and Liberal Party (LP) of Noynoy Aquino. What the Left is doing is just a proof that they are also enemies (like the bourgeois opposition and the ruling faction) of the Filipino working class.
Generally, the Right, Left, Church and media help each other to make the elections credible and a "popular" president be elected. Although factional bickerings among the factions of the Right and Left, in which they themselves uncover their own wrongdoings and crimes, and up to the point of bloody conflicts especially at the local levels, they are all united to chain the exploited masses to the framework of bourgeois elections and convincing the latter to show their "militancy and resistance" by voting and guarding their votes.
On the other hand, even though it's not on the agenda of the Right and Left, no-elections or failure of elections is not impossible. Though for the ruling class, the broad masses must continue to have illusions for a "clean" election. This is one of the most effective ways to maintain the rotten system, and that's why they want a successful "peaceful" and "clean" election this May. Factional squabblings for power are getting more intense and worsens. All are desperate to grab power especially for presidential position. Big bourgeois parties and personalities like the Lakas-Kampi, NP and LP; Teodoro, Villar and Aquino are doing all they can (including the dirtiest) to win.
If the state cannot regulate the deteriorating worse situation, this might open the way for an "extra-legal" or bloody settlement of the warring factions. If there will be no-election or a public perception of widespread electoral fraud, it is possible that the Left will repeat the "people power revolution" (of course lead by the bourgeoisie) using a "more radical calls" like the "provisional revolutionary government" which they already did in the past in the bourgeois movements to overthrow the Arroyo regime. Like in the past, bourgeois factions will use the toiling people as cannon-fodder.
No real changes after the elections but worsening of the situation
Can the successor of Gloria Arroyo do something for the people?
Basically the platforms and programs of the candidates and parties are the same. There is no difference between the administration and opposition. Reading and listening their campaigns and platforms, the essence is the same: defend national capitalism and the government will do all it can to make national capital survives under the very intense competition within the rapidly saturated world market. This means: cheaper labour-power (wages) to make the Philippine products competitive in the world market, maximization of labour-power, more widespread contractualization, increase taxes and government's debt.
In the next 3-6 years, toiling masses will suffer more because world capitalism is in its permanent crisis and the state is completely bankrupt.
Role of the Left
For the first time, the Left openly support big bourgeois opposition parties against the Arroyo regime. In the past, they were ashamed to openly support and just secretly campaign bourgeois candidates and parties. This is a clear manifestation that the only difference between the Right and Left is the language used and the formulation. But essentially, they have the same program: "develop" national capitalism, in which in imperialist epoch and permanent crisis is impossible to happen. "Development" means worst sufferings and intense exploitation on the people.
The two biggest Left factions (maoist CPP-NPA and Akbayan) are also supporting the two oldest bourgeois parties in the country - Nacionalista Party and Liberal Party - and to the two strongest contenders for the presidency: Manny Villar and Noynoy Aquino. Whoever from them seats in Malacanang, the public know very well the major role played by the Left to make them win and become president of the exploitative government.
If the other factions seems silent (Sanlakas, Partido ng Manggagawa, KPD, atbp) on the bickerings of NP and LP, this is because they are not against in allying with them. It so happen that the maoist Bayan Muna and social-democratic Akbayan sealed the deal first.
And since it is certain like the rising of the sun that the new president will be the spokesperson and defender of the capitalist-haciendero classes, there is a strong possibility that after the elections, the Left will immediately stand as "opposition" to the new administration to evade the anger of the people, and once again fool the masses that they are for "social change". If Villar wins, Akbayan will be the first to be in "opposition". If Aquino wins, the Maoists will be the first to act against as the "opposition". It will be easier for the "silent" other factions of the Left to ride the opportunism as "opposition" on whoever wins since they are not openly endorsing them. Currently, the role of the Left in the Philippines is: an "opposition" to the Right to divert the workers away from the revolutionary road and imprison them in the mystifications of reformism using radical language like "armed struggle", "revolution" and "system change".
On the other hand, as in the past, there will be an exodus of politicians of the Right to the party of the new president.
The ideologies "everyone for himself" and "one against all" will intensify more within the various factions of Right and Left. Allies before elections will be enemies again; enemies will become friends again; all depends which is favourable to maintain and advance one's self-interest.
However, conscious workers will not forget the open endorsement and licking the Left on the asses of the big bourgeois parties of the exploited classes whatever the outcome of the elections. What the Right and Left did is the fertile ground for the raising of class consciousness against all factions of capitalist-hacienderos.
Resist and Reject Bourgeois Ideology
The dominant ideology of society is the ideology of the ruling class. And electoralism and parliamentarism are one of its manifestations in the era of imperialism. In order for the proletariat to advance its own struggles against capitalism and for the proletariat to hold its own struggles, bourgeois ideology of the Right and Left must be rejected. This is not easy because the influence of bourgeois propaganda that Leftism, especially the maoist CPP-NPA is the "true radical" and "communist" is still strong. The propaganda of the ruling class in the Philippines that CPP-NPA is "communist" is in line with the propaganda of the international bourgeoisie that Stalinism or Trotskyism is "communism".
The victory of the workers' fight cannot be achieved through the tricky proposals of the Left to be laws under the capitalist order. In bourgeois parliamentarism under decadent capitalism, a proposal can only be law if the ruling class approves it. Victory is in the struggles of the conscious and united toiling people in the streets and outside parliament. The success of the proletariat can be achieved outside the control of the unions.
Class struggle can only be strong when these struggles spread out to many factories and participated by the maximum number of workers - regular, contractual, unionists, non-unionists, in private and in public sectors. And the only form of organisation for these is the workers' assemblies and councils which is independent from the control of the unions and the parties of the Right and Left.
Most of all, class struggle is not to defend "national interests" but for class interests because the former is the interests of the bourgeoisie while the latter is for the Filipino workers. "National unity" exposes by the Right and Left only means that the mass of workers should surrender to its mortal enemy: capitalist-haciendero classes. Central task of the new CEO of Malacanang is to convince the working masses to defend and sacrifice for "national interests" and forget class interests. And if the proletariat resists, the iron arm of the state - its armed forces and prisons - will be whipped out by the new president against the proletarian masses.
Internasyonalismo
(Philippine section of the International Communist Current)
email us: [email protected] [13]
website: tl.internationalism.org