CENTRIST BASIC ORIENTATION SEMINAR DAVAO

Centrist Democratic Value and Principles |Mr. RYDumaug, Jr. Page 1 of 16 pages
THE CENTRIST DEMOCRATIC VALUE AND PRINCIPLES:
TOWARDS POLITICAL PARTY BUILDING AND ECONOMIC REFORMS
By: Mr. Roderico Y. Dumaug, Jr., CDP Davao BOS
December 2012
Friends, ladies and gentlemen, in behalf of our CDP Vice-President for
Mindanao and at the same time our Regional Chairperson of Northern
Mindanao who is organizing this event together with CDPI, I thank you all for
attending this Basic Orientation Seminar or BOS intended for the new members
of CDP and for the reorganization of the Regional Assembly of Region 9
Southern Mindanao.
The constitution and by- laws of our party requires that those who want to
join CDP must undergo a basic orientation seminar like this one so that he/she
will be introduced about our political party and in understanding the basic
concepts of our core value and principles. I’ll assure you that once your
membership application will be approved, you will continue your education in
order to deepen your understanding about Centrist Democracy.
CDP or the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines is the ‘New Kid on
the Block’ desirous to change the political landscape of our country and we are
aiming to be in power in years to come. Holding political power is the primary
goal of any political party including our party. We believe that political power
must be held by good people and it should not be left alone in the hands of the
illiterates, the stupid, the drug lords, the gambling lords etc. We are the

successor generation, the young professionals, and members of the civil society,
taxpayers of this country or ordinary citizens of Davao City who are vigilant of
the events unfolding before our nation and your participation today is your
affirmation that we will never be silence so that evil will not triumph in our
country.
Our political party was accredited as a national political party last
September 12, 2012, barely three months ago, by virtue of Resolution Number
SPP 12-053 of the 2nd Division of the COMELE. As an accredited and duly
registered national party, the COMELEC guarantees our enjoyment of all rights
and privileges under existing laws to participate in any political activity, elections
and such other democratic processes for the election of our candidates and
when elected or in power, to organize a legitimate government implementing
programs grounded on our Centrist Democratic values and political platforms.
The root of our political party is the long historical and political foundations
of Christian Democracy that shaped some of the nations in Europe and even
the organization of the European Union. When you say ‘centrist’ it means literally
not about the Rightist or of the leftwing extremism. The extreme right basically
believes on the absolute freedom of man from the government while the Leftist
view is for a strong state controlling the rights and freedom of man. We do not
adhere to those because both extremities does not value humanity, does not
promote the dignity of man and of his potentials as person of being, part of the
society.

In a centrist political philosophy or orientation, we believe on the essential
values adhered to by the Christian and Muslim faith which is valuing ‘humanity.’
In the center of these values, we find the value of ‘human dignity.’
Human dignity is the core value of a centrist political program, the core
value of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines. Political, economic
and social order has to be designed and operated in a way that the dignity of
each human being is protected and promoted. As a member of CDP, you must
strictly adhere to the belief that our vision, mission, goals, objectives, programs,
activities, aspirations and even the entire life of our political party should be
grounded at all times on this core value on human dignity. The first test in our
party is always on the question, “Will it promote human dignity?” This is your first
yardstick of being a true Centrist Democrat which is your foremost belief on the
core value of human dignity.
Understanding the dignity of person will take into account the following
important elements, and these are: (1) the recognition of man’s right of self-
determination and of taking care for himself, (2) the freedom of personal
development, initiative and decision making, (3) the right of each person to
receive assistance in case that he/she cannot provide enough means by his
own efforts a decent life, and (3) the obligation to help others who need such
assistance.
In a Capitalist Economic order adhered to by the Rightists, they believe
that man in general is free to make his own decisions and because he is

absolutely free in making decisions, there are few who are lucky enough to
obtain absolute economic power. Most rightists and capitalists believe on the
invisible hand that controls the market hence it is prone to distortion and as an
instrument of human and ecological exploitation. Individualism and the survival
of the fittest are themes in a rightist political system. The ruling few thrive well in
this kind of system. Their accumulation of capital and wealth and their unjust
enrichment results to the increasing needs of many people. Human dignity is
destroyed in this kind of order because the disadvantaged, those who lack the
opportunities, the weak and the unlucky members of the society will be left
behind.
In the opposite side is the centralized administrative economy worshipped
by the leftist. Their philosophy results to people losing their own right of self-
determination in favour of a centrally planned political system. Because such
freedom is curtailed, generally, private ownership as a means of production is
never recognized because one has to follow centrally drafted plans. Individual
talents, skills, abilities, competencies and commitment are unimportant because
it is the central bureaucracy which is in charge in the distribution of wealth and
opportunities. Like what happened to the former Soviet Union and of Chine
before Deng Xiaoping, where there is very low productivity and the people are
living far below their own abilities because of the control of a strong central
authority and the suppression of freedom, rights in economic activities and by
lack of availability of necessary goods.

Human Dignity as the core value of our party can best be implemented
through our three (3) important principles. These are (1) Representative
Democracy based on strong, program-oriented political parties, (2) a
decentralized state structure with regional autonomy and local self-government
and (3) a “Social and Ecological Market Economy” with a well-functioning open
market, protected by a strong state, a social security system in place and
environmental protection and sustainability.
Currently, Article 2 Section1 of our 1987 Constitution states that the
“Philippines is a Democratic and Republican State.” What is Republicanism?
One of the founding Fathers of the United States of America, Benjamin Franklin,
was once asked on what form of government they were formulating for their
country. He aptly said, “Republican, Madame, if you can keep it.”
Republicanism or what we called a representative form of government means
that the citizens of the republic elect public officials as their direct
representatives in the government and delegating to the elected the inherent
and democratic right of the people to decide for and in their behalf. Benjamin
Franklin is correct in his description about a republican form of government,
because the strength of republicanism is totally dependent on how the citizens
protect it from the abuse of power from the time of selecting their candidates
and in electing their representatives; it is also dependent on the active
participation of the people in the political system and the credibility of our
electoral processes. The kind and quality leaders the people elected into power

sometimes reflect also on we are as citizens. Participative and intelligent people
can elect good representatives but an ignorant citizenry can put into power
corrupt leaders.
The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines, as one of its political
platforms, believes and is working for (1) A fair representation of all parts of the
population in the political system, (2) Equality of opportunities for all to run and
be elected for positions of leadership, (3) Continuous accountability of the
representatives of the people to whom power has been entrusted (4) Effective
mechanisms of control of the use of this power, (5) A subsidiary structure of
government, leaving as much decision making power, as close to the people as
possible, and (6) Good governance, including transparency, accountability,
and effectiveness.
.However, Philippine Democracy does not work well to the benefit of the
entire nation. For there’s no real representation of the people, no real
participation in decision making, the people has no influence on thematic
priorities, there’s no equal opportunities nor control of power that work well in
our country. The state institutions are captured by powerful families, dynasties,
clans which use them for the perpetuation of their power and the increase of
their wealth under the guise of republicanism. Their main means are corruption,
intimidation and the blockade of any institutional and procedural changes.
CDP is striving for the social transformation of the country. We have to
reform our electoral mechanism in order to increase the participation of the

people in thematic decisions and in electing good leaders for the country. To
protect the inter-departmental check and balance, we also adhere in reducing
the enormous powers of the president and at the same time, to increase the
independence of the Congress and to make its members more responsible to
their constituencies and to make the democratic processes meaningful.
In order to achieve this there’s a need to develop strong political parties
with programmatic orientation and strong membership base, a central role in
the political process and reduce the focusing on single personalities in the
elections and the ongoing political processes. All of this needs fundamental
reforms of the Philippine democratic system which can be achieved only
through a reform of the Philippine Constitution.
Political Parties are the primary and the only vehicle in order to gain
political power by engaging themselves in political contests and elections. The
members and their leadership are expected to adhere to a set of principles and
strategies written in a platform unique only to that party. This espousal of a vision
of governance defines the ideological identity of that party – and therefore, the
electorate must be permitted a patent choice – as to who must govern them –
based on what the candidates and their respective parties stand for.”
Political parties are the backbone of democracy in modern mass
societies. They have to be the continuous drivers of reforms in public opinion,
legislative work and oversight of the public administration on all levels and have

to offer the population their respective different strategies to achieve these
reforms.
Strong political parties are very important in democratic society and they
are performing the following specific functions: (1) Be the continuous link and
instrument for communication between citizens and political decision makers;(2)
Provide political information and education to the citizens in order to enable
them to make informed choices, (3) Provide the mechanisms for a fair,
democratic and reasonable selection of candidates for the election into
different public positions and (4) Exercise ongoing control in local councils, in the
congress and other internal activities about the way how elected leaders use
their power.
Therefore the promotion and setting up of a strong and sustainable
political party with clear programmatic profile and numerous, active members
all over the country is another indispensable element of a realistic centrist
democratic policy.
The Philippines today is an example of having a unitary government
where our system and structure is highly centralized, dominated by the national
government in Metro Manila, which we called the ‘imperial Manila.’
Most local governments have remained weak and dependent on the
decisions of national officials and offices, and the releases of their share of the
internal revenue allotments IRA). Local and regional development and self-
reliance are stifled by this system of central domination and regulation.

This centralized structure is not acceptable to CDP and so we look at ways
to reform and correct them.
Our response to this is one of the cornerstones of the centrist agenda.
In CDP we have what we called the Principles of Subsidiarity and it means
that the power for taking decisions shall rest on the lowest level possible in order
to enable people as much as possible to decide upon their own things or at
least to have direct influence on such decisions. And where the lower levels of
administration cannot solve problems the higher levels shall support them
instead of taking responsibility away from them.
In order to promote freedom and self-determination of the citizens, which
is a central element of human dignity, further decentralization of competences
to local governments and regions, strengthening of local self-administration and
systematic promotion of local good governance have to take place as a key
part of centrist democratic politics.
This particular principle adopted by the Centrist Democrats was
popularized by Pope Leo XIII in his encyclical entitled the Rerum Novarum in
1891.
Centrist Democracy in promoting the Principles of Subsidiarity stands for a
(1) Decentralized Governance, (2) Political Decentralization and (3)
Administrative Decentralization.
Decentralized Governance involves the transfer of authority and
responsibility for public functions from the central government to subordinate

government structures – which includes fiscal matters – to raise their own funds
and taxes and to spend the same. This presupposes therefore the economic
viability of the recipients, a region, province, city or municipality and even the
Barangay.
Political Decentralization aims to give citizens or their elected
representatives more power in public-decision making. This supports
democratization by giving citizens or their representatives more influence in the
formulation and implementation of policies.
Administrative Decentralization means the redistribution of authority,
responsibility and financial resources for providing public services among
different levels of governance. It is the transfer of responsibility for the planning,
financing, and management of public functions from central governments and
its agencies to local governments through deconcentration, delegation and
devolution
In the current debate on the structure of our government, the stand of the
Centrist Democratic Party following our revered principle on Subsidiarity and
Decentralization is for the establishment of a Federal Philippines.
Federalism is essentially an advance form of decentralization which is the
process of widely distributing decision-making to bring it closer to the point of
service or action. Another way to look at it is that “…it asserts the rights of the
parts over the whole…” It is a case in point that “…the more decentralized a
system is, the more it relies on lateral relationships which means negotiations and

cooperation, and less it can rely on command or force”. Suffice it to say that
FEDERALISM is still a very long way off even if imposed under a change in our
constitution. But the understanding of subsidiarity & decentralization as workable
concepts are the basic stepping stones toward attaining the vision of our party
for a Federal Philippines.
The last but not the least principle that I am going to explain to you is in
reference to our desire to reform the socio economic order of our country. To us,
Centrist Democrats, we believe that Philippine markets are not free, they are
widely ruled by powerful monopolies, cartels and conglomerates which distort
the competition processes, intimidate and oppress their competitors and
prevent newcomers to be successful in the market. In consequence (1) the
productivity and competitiveness are lower than in other Asian countries, (2)
poor people have barely opportunities to become successful players in the
markets, (3) there are not enough means available for organizing social security
and income distribution for the benefit of disadvantaged and weaker members
of society, and (4) there are not enough means for providing good health and
education opportunities for all members of society.
In order to correct these heavy obstacles for the promotion and
protection of human dignity, the Socio-Economic Order has to be reformed
following the principles and guidelines of a Social and Ecologic Market
Economy with the following elements: (1) a well functioning free market process,
protected by a strong state against distortion and unfair practices, (2) open

markets in which the great majority of the population gets the possibility to earn
their livings in the market process, (3) guarantee of stable and healthy legal
and political framework conditions by a strong and responsible state, (4)
functioning of social justice and social security systems for the guarantee of the
human dignity of all citizens, including the weak ones and (5) the natural
environment as the precondition for the life of our successor generations, has to
be protected against destruction in the production and consumption processes
through clear rules and incentives built into the market process by a strong and
responsible state.
To understand how Social Market Economy is to be implemented in our
country, we have to understand its three (3) basic pillars. As you can see in the
diagram there are 3 different political spectrums. On the right side is the
Capitalist Economic Order adhered to by the Rightist and they believe that our
economy should be dictated by an invisible hand controlling the free market
and in giving absolute freedom to the individual without any interference.
Likewise, on the left side is the Centralized Economy of the Leftists where the
economy or the market is controlled centrally by the state through government
regulations and interventions. In this kind of economy, the individual freedom for
private ownership and even his talent and skills are subordinate of centrally
drafted economic plans, programs and interventions.
The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines does not agree with the
economic platform of the Capitalist of our country and of a Centralized

Economy of the extreme left because they do not promote and protect Human
Dignity. The former does not give security to people who be left behind and
while the latter, human dignity is inferior over state intervention and even taking
out from the person his freedom of initiative and decision making.
Our centrist economic platform is the Social Market Economy. It is the
combination of the Free Market concept of the right and the Strong State of the
Left balanced by the participation of the people and of the civil society. In SME,
the market mechanism through the competition of providers of goods and
services should be non-partisan, free from the intervention of the government
and of the powerful political personalities. Fair competition is an effective
instrument for the satisfaction of the demands of the Filipino consumers, both as
to the quantity and quality of goods and services. Market competition should
not be distorted by dominating powerful actors in the different markets and
should be based on prices, quality, reliability and transparent information – not
on intimidation or any other unfair practices - and when markets are open to
new competitors.
Experience shows that open and free markets do not just develop and
sustain themselves. Their beneficial results can only be realized when a strong
state protects their integrity by enactment of a sound competition law and strict
supervision preventing distortions by market players misusing economic and
political influence or power. However, even with free market and a strong state,
Social Market Economy cannot work in a modern mass society if the people

and the members of the civil society will not play an active role to be
responsible citizens for themselves, to their families and communities where they
belong, to be part of the solution through consensus building not dominance in
conflicts, and to support the state in performing its role as framework provider
and coordinator of a fair and beneficial order for all parts of the population.
The basic concept of SME is aligned with some provisions mentioned in
our constitution and one of those is the Social Justice provision. Former President
Ramon Magsaysay was once asked on what is his definition of Social Justice, he
said, “that those who have less in life should have more in law.” Another one,
the concept of bayanihan, our culture of caring, giving and sharing to our
neighbours that spirit of solidarity which is one of the essential elements of the
social market economy. However there are some detailed structural provisions
in our Constitution, laws and the oligarchic culture which are not in line with this
concept. And the Philippine reality shows many contradictions to the centrist
democratic values and principles and the concept of SME. Some of these are
questions like: (1) Do the rich and powerful leading families of the country
accept that they do not have the right to influence by corruption or pressure
state decisions on project development or distribution of public funds in their
own interest?, (2) Any relevant state programs to help poor farmers and
handicraft people to develop their entrepreneurial capacities and to become
competitive actors in the respective markets?, (3) Does the state effectively
protect property rights against product piracy or against pressure from powerful

private actors? (4) Do Philippine people in general agree to pay taxes to the
state in order to enable him to support the establishment and functioning of
social security and social protection systems and mechanisms?’, and (5) Do the
state authorities have any measures to protect the openness of markets against
cartels and monopolies and to protect the fairness of competition processes,
and do they use these measures?
We still have a long way to go in transforming this nation. But one thing
that is sure, CDP is doing it right. For more than 100 years as an independent
nation, CDP is the first and only political party in the Philippines which is owned
by all dues paying members and all important stakeholders are involved in the
major decision making of the party. From our mistakes in the distant past,
drawing inspirations from our national heroes and in reflecting on the question
why we are born Filipino, why God have chosen the Philippines as our country of
birth, I hope that this be sufficient reasons that will give us enough passion and
enthusiasm to transform this nation. The only ideology, principle or value that is
consistent with our being a Filipino that will guide us in building a better and
progressive Philippines is the core value of the Centrist Democracy, which is
human dignity.
Daghang Salamat ug maayong buntag sa tanan.

.

CENTRIST BASIC ORIENTATION SEMINAR DAVAO

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CENTRIST BASIC ORIENTATION SEMINAR DAVAO