The Republic and the "Makapili"

Media

Part of The Republic

Title: The Republic and the "Makapili"
Language: English
Source: The Republic Year I (9) December 11, 1944
Year: 1944
Subject: Laurel, Jose Paciano -- 1891-1959; Philippines -- Politics and government
Rights
Fulltext: PAGE 2 THE REPUBLIC: MONDAY, DECEMBER lly!944 IJqntbltr M. Fa r o l a n ^ Published Weekly by Th d Repu b l ic Pu b l is h in g Co . Suite 28, Jai-Alai Bldg., Daitoa Ave., Manila—Tel. 2-07-56 Vo l . I Mo n d a y , Dec ember 11, 1944 No. 9 THE REPUBLIC AND THE "MAKAPILI” The public should welcome the appearance of the “Makapili” with its avowed objectives such as those stated in its articles of organization, for we can never have too many of such bodies dedicated to the service of our people. We believe that this was the feeling of President Laurel when he attended the “Makapili” inaugural program the other day. The President did well, however, to make clear the limitations and boundaries within which all patriotic and civic organizations, no matter what they are, who leads them or how high their aims, may properly operate. In the words of the Chief Executive, they must submit to the authority of the Republic. This necessary warning is made indispensable by the peculiar nature of the “Makapili” and the kind of activities and the methods of action that it contemplates, as variously explained by the three leaders of that body. But the admonition against any tendency or effort to go over or to obstruct the Republic need not apply specially to the “Makapili”. It applies to all bodies and groups of its kind and it will serve the future just as well. Being a Filipino organization, organized for highly patriotic purposes, according to its spokesmen, the “Makapili” certainly has a place in our civic life. It is entitled to support within the defined framework of its clearly stated objectives and to the extent of our loyalty to our Republic. ONE POINT FOR RICOA SUCCESS The public undoubtedly felt relieved with the reassuring statements of the RICOA Manager, Mr. A. V. Tangco, published in our last issue, regarding the handling of the rice situation. Many whose souls have been tortured by the spectre of hunger and want, must be able to breathe easier after reading announcements by both Minister Sabido and Manager Tangco, as well as Military Governor Guinto about measures now being carried out to assure Manila of its supply of rice. “The Republic” is convinced that the price of rice fixed had been arrived at after an earnest study of all the elements of cost and reasonable return. Yet there is noticeable public misgiving that the price of P100 per sack of palay, even with some prime commodities added to that price as a special inducement, is not attractive enough to bring palay to the RICOA. We need not be suspected of merely voicing the large absentee rice-land owners’ point of view, for it is patent that the tenant or small farmer who lives right on the land has the greater hold on rice harvests and farm products these days. It is precisely in the interest of the latter and that of the RICOA itself that we venture our humble opinion on the matter of palay prices. The statisticians of the RICOA and the government will probably effectively disprove any assertion that the costs of production and a reasonable margin for earning or profit are not sufficiently covered by the fixed price of P100 per sack, so we leave that point alone. But may we ask, what is it and how much can one buy with P100 these days? Forgetting altogether the big producer, let us take only the case of the small farmer who harvests, say 50 sacks. On the basis of P100 per sack, how far would the return on his share of such harvest take him and his usually large family in these days of inflation? It won’t even buy him a carabao or a horse, if he needed and wanted to buy one nor to feed the poor beast. It will barely suffice to defray expenses in case he has to evacuate his family as is often necessary, where particularly in Central Luzon, those with some rice are harassed —by-bandits and malcontents. But even assuming that the fixed price does afford adequate compensation and that what the producer received for his crop were enough for his needs, would he consider it an ample reward for the risks that he has to face now and enough recompense for his exposure to danger from all sides? It must be borne in mind that not only bandits and marauders go out to his field and harvest the crop and kill, if they cannot, but also evacuees, weary and hungry on their long trek still far from home, go in and harvest what they need to stay their hunger and perhaps kill too, if not allowed to. We omit the other well-known dangers that the poor farmer has to face, being too well-known. Is P100 per sack worth all that risk and trouble? Far from it. It is confidently assumed that when rice is rationed in Manila there will be no more black market and therefore no better prices will be offered the farmer. The profiteer is an expert speculator and a daring businessman, as we all know. He thrives in the shortage of commodities in any given locality and time. He will, therefore, go into any hazard to provide against the time when the supply should again get low as during the period from planting season to the next harvest, buy now at tempting prices and hoard for the future. We should not be so sanguine about our being able to immediately prevent all this even in the provinces where conditions are so unsettled as to permit any number of possibilities and where government control, notwithstanding Army assistance, is unquestionably not very effective. It seems it would be only proper for the RICOA to make more generous allowances for both seen and unforeseen difficulties. It should win over the producer completely to its side, not only with cold figures and logic, but also with a more tempting offer for his produce. That offer should appear to be generous and never too coldly businesslike or niggardly. If the producer, however willing to help the government, should by any chance be actually offered much more for his palay than the RICOA offers—which can easily mean to him that the government seems inclined to treat him less generously—necessity and self-interest will persuade him to hold out against the RICOA and even readily lend himself an instrument to defeat the purposes of control and rationing. On the other hand, if he is convinced that the government appears generously inclined to view his side along with that of the public and that it is doing the fair and the reasonable thing for him under prevailing circumstances, he would become the RICOA’s best support and ally, and rice may more readily flow Manila’s way. “The Republic” is voicing these views because it sincerely desires the RICOA’s success. We cannot afford to risk another failure. That may be fatal. And we believe, in order to succeed, the RICOA should not overlook any possible means of inducing rice to reach our hungry, starving population in a swift and steady stream. Marine Examination Results Are Released Those who passed the marine officer examinations given last July 31, follows: Master: Rodrigo L. Fuentes, 80.89 and Jose S. Ferrer, 78.51. Second Mate: Ladislao P. Pascual, 83.88; Guillermo Villarosa, 78.68; and Vicente Oca, 77.83. Third Mate: Eligio C. Enriquez, 84.88; Romulo Guerrero, 82.67; .and Bonifacio C. Paclibar, 76.5. Major Patron: Jose N. Arroyo, 80.12 and Pedro M. Gallardo, 79.2. Minor Patron (Limited Waters): Pablo de la Fuente, 78.91. Minor Patron (Harbor, Bay, River and Lake) : Rufino Estrebilla, 84; Benjamin V. Sanvictores Offers.... (Continued from page 1) of swine raising; the adoption of better cultural practices which involve the use of improved tools, better preparation of the soil, proper distancing of plants, crop rotation and diversification, green manuring and other practices found effective in other lands; the organization of local farmers into small units of 10 to 15 families and later into assoiations of about 100 families, like the buroku in Taiwan, for better coordinated farm activity. Chairman Sanvictores also proposed that initial efforts be limited to the seven rice-deficient provinces surrounding and near Manila—Bataan, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna and Tayabas— so that they will become self-sufficient and will not draw foodstuffs from the provinces on which Manila is dependent. The greatest problem of the Republic is food, according to Mr. Sanvictores. The nation’s vitality, he said, is becoming lower and the people are uneasy and demoralized because of lack of food. In solving this problem our alternative is intensification of agriculture and horizontal expansion. As a permanent policy later, however, Chairman Sanvictores suggests a program to decrease area by eliminating marginal lands in order to save on farm labor and expense and make working on land profitable for tenants and owners alike. Such a policy, he hopes, would ameliorate rural life and stabilize rural social conditions. Highest Commander.... (Continued from page 1) freed all subjugated peoples in the Far East from Occidental domination and exploitation. “The amazing and successive victories achieved by Japan not only ushered in the dawn of a New and Greater Asia and the redemption and emancipation of her long-subjected people but also awakened in them a new sense of dignity and power. Such a magnificent display of might inspired and thrilled them and awakened their dormant spirit to a realization that they, too, like their Occidental brothers are the masters of their fate, the architects of their own fortune; that they need not be and should never be “the hewers of wood and drawers of water” for the other peoples. The Greater East Asia War is a glorious consummation of the age-long dream of leaders of Asia to free the entire Orient from foreign domination, a domination which had been the cause of the enslavement of the teeming millions of Oriental peoples. It is an effort, nobly conceived and brilliantly executed, to establish a New Order in the interest of world peace and to insure the permanent stability of East Asia through the formation of a sphere of common prosperity and by free and independent states for the attainment of a common ideal; the recovery, once for all, of the honor and dignity and power of all Asian peoples. It is a fitting embodiment of the policy of “Asia for the Asians” and as corollary, the Philippines for the Filipinos, Burma for the Burmese, China, for the Chinese, India for the Indians, and Java for the Javanese. “The formal launching today of the Kalipunang Makabayan ng mg a Pilipino, the main objective of which is the consolidation and strengthening of the defense of the Republic of the Philippines, is a good and happy omen, especially at this time when we stand at the crossroads of destiny. “The leaders of the new organization are well-known Filipinos. They are General Artemio Ricarte, venerable Revolutionary figure who suffered four decades of exile rather than bow to a foreign power; Benigno Ramos, who rendered meritorious service to the Imperial Japanese Army, and Pio Duran, member of our legislative body who has to rfis credit also a long and distinguished service to our country. “We need to strengthen and consolidate our forces, pool our resources and marshal our means of defense. Too long have we indulged in bitter strife and disheartening and suicidal disunion. Particularly at this time of national crisis, when we are confronted with the weighty and difficult problem of survival, the country demands that we shall stand united, that we act as one man, and, whatever happens, present a solid, granite-like front for our own safety and for the happiness of our people. We have a grave responsibility to the nation and to posterity. To our care is entrusted the Republic of the Philippines. It is our sacred and inescapable duty to preserve it, to let it grow sturdy and strong, buoyant and self-confident. “People and with them history and posterity will judge us not so much by what we say as by what we do. It is not enough for us to say that we love our country, that for it we will fight to the bitter end, that we are ready and willing to make all the sacrifices for its preservation, for the attainment of its liberty and independence. Not by words but by deeds must we show our determination, our readiness to defend to the last drop of our blood the honor and integrity of our God-given home and land as well as our right to be free. Whatever be the name of the association or organization to which we belong, let us live both as a nation and as individuals in the way our foremost hero lived. To his country Rizal devoted and consecrated everything, life included.As his countrymen and followers we can do no less. “We should all, therefore heartily welcome the organization of the Makapili and help its promoters to the fullest extent, so that in common and in harmony with similar organizations it may completely fulfill its mission: the consolidation of the Philippine Republic with all the powers and prerogatives needed to effectively serve the interests and ideals of our people, as well Republic’s Goal.... (Continued from page 1) it, but let it be known to those who are going to follow us in shouldering the responsibilities that we are now carrying, that we are going in that direction and that it is our bequest that they should take up when we have dropped out of the way where we left off and to continue until they reach that goal.” The President expressed to the directors, assistant directors and managers his appreciation for their cooperation and loyal service. Autencio, 83; Hilarion Molete, 78; Eduardo Corda, 77 and Vicente Caspillo, 75. GE A War Made.... (Continued from page 1) changes follow in the wake of a blitzkrieg war. For, wherever the victorious Japanese columns marched—in China, in the Philippines, in Malaya, in Java,<or in Burma— there was heard, over and above the din of the fighting and the thunder of the guns, the glad tidings that Japan had embarked upon the war in order to liberate the long oppressed and exploited peoples of East Asia. This was the seed, fertile with miraculous promises, that was later to grow and bear rich fruit for all the Asian peoples. Out of that seed came, among other things, the -institution of foreign-controlled territory to the National Government of China, the abolition of extra-territoriality, the return of Thailand’s lost provinces, the independence of Burma and the Philippines, the recognition of the Provisional Government of Free India, and the promise of independence to the Indonesians. But merely to enumerate one by one the steps by which Japan has sought to fulfill her pledge to liberate East Asia is to do scant justice to the true magnitude of the sublime ideal that inspired them. We can perhaps comprehend the correct scale of that magnificent ideal only if we say that the memorable date of December 8, 1941, marks the birth of Greater East Asia, such as we hope to make it in the future. For on this day, three years ago, the Great Empire of Japan, gathering all its forces together for the one supreme battle of its history, decided to put an end, once and for all, to the pitiable bondage and servitude of the Asian races. We in the Philippines have participated in the glory of this new heritage. Believing in utter trust and confidence in the noble pledge of Japan, we have proclaimed the independence of the Philippines and embraced the responsibilities of an independent and sovereign state with all vigor and enthusiasm. We have endeavored to enter into relations of mutual cooperation and understanding with our sister nations in East Asia, and, above all, we have honored our solemn Pact of Alliance with Japan by giving her all possible assistance in the defense of Philippine territory. And so, on the occasion of Greater East Asia Day, we Filipinos should remember with gratitude the generous motive that impelled the Great Japanese Empire to undertake the liberation of East Asia. On this day the first mighty blow was struck for the righting of an ancient wrong, and the teeming millions of Asia, who first gave the arts of civilization to the world, knew once again that they had a destiny far nobler than that of “hewers of wood and drawers of water,” that they too had a right to be free, to lead a life of their own choosing untrammeled by brutal and rapacious imperialisms. For the time will come, I doubt not, when Greater East Asia Day as the larger interests and ideals of the Greater East Asia CoProsperity Sphere. “In closing, I would like to say, that the establishment of the Republic was made possible through the benevolence and help of the great Japanese Empire. There is only one Republic of the Philippines, to which we owe allegiance, and which /we must defend with our sinews and blood. This Republic is the one of which I happen to be President. “As long as I hold and exercise the authority, I cannot consent or permit any organization, political in character, by individual Filipinos or groups of Filipinos, to exist unless that organization is subject to the authority and control of that Republic. “In the interest of self-preservation, and even of the conservation of the joint understanding of Japanese and Filipinos in establishing that Republic, we cannot afford to permit the existence of any Filipino organization which should be beyond the control of, or independent from, the overwhelming authority of the independent government of that Republic. Otherwise, the result would be disintegration and eventual destruction of that government.” General Yamasita’s speech in full is also reproduced hereunder: “It is a matter of mutual congratulations that the Patriotic League of Filipinos holds its inaugural meeting on the significant and historic day of the third anniversary of the outbreak of the Greater East Asia War. “Looking back upon the pages of history, we note that Filipino patriotism was brilliantly revealed under the leadership of Lapu-Lapu against Aggressor Magellan in 1521. Ever since that day, the Filipino people have shed blood repeatedly for the attainment of real freedom. “In the spirit of ‘Hakko Itiu,’ 'universal brotherhood, Japan has consistently and whole-heartedly sympathized with the cause of the Philippines. With the Greater East Asia War, the American influence was driven out of the Philippines and before long Japan recognized the independence of the islands. With this the Philippines attained her freedom, a long-standing aspiration -of four—centuriesr “It has been most regrettable that a very small number of Filipinos, blinded by the sinister propaganda of America, have been hoping for the return of American rule. This is a very dangerous situation. At such a juncture, a group of far-sighted and patriotic Filipinos have banded together under General Artemio Ricarte, Benigno Ramos, and Pio Duran, with the full support of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, their objectives being the arousing of true patriotism in assuring the eternal development and prosperity of the Republic. As a great national movement, I am convinced, the development will contribute toward the consolidation of the foundation of the Free Philippines. “It is therefore natural and proper that I, charged with the mission of crushing the Anglo-American forces and assisting the development of the Republic of the Philippines, am ready to offer maximum support to this patriotic movement because the tenets of the league is in harmony with the ideals of the Japanese Empire. “Today, the American forces have invaded Leyte as the second Magellan. Together with the Philippines, the ally of Japan, I will crush the enemy and endeavor to perfect the ‘Asia of the Asians.’ “I expect the members of the Patriotic League of Filipinos to boldly forge ahead with me both in spirit and in deed and contribute toward the attainment of eternal peace and welfare of Greater East Asia. I offer my heartfelt congratulations and pray for a most glorious future, on this significant inaugural meeting of the League.” The ceremony was also attended by leading officials of the Republic as well as by high officials of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy. The aims of the league as set forth are as follows: to defend the Republic, to maintain peace and order, to promote self-sufficiency in food and other vital materials, to collaborate unreservedly with the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy, to propagate the principles for which Japan and other Asiatic countries are fighting for and to make the people aware that their welfare depends upon close association with those nations. will signify not merely the beginning of a great war, but the principles of freedom and justice asserting themselves over the monstrous imperialistic game of guile and greed. (Speech delivered over Station PI AM on December 8.)
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