EO 464 Repeal Changes Nothing
Before I make my case, let me dispose of today’s economic news first.
Contrary to what many in the Philippine government would like us to believe, it looks like a strong peso may not be sufficient to keep the inflationary wolves at bay, as higher food prices fueled an increase in the Philippines’ inflation rate last month: Philippine Inflation Fastest in 16 Months on Food.
“Consumer prices gained 5.4 percent from a year earlier, following a 4.9 percent increase in January, the National Statistic Office said today in Manila. The median estimate of 12 economists in a Bloomberg News survey was for a 5.3 percent rise. The number was announced a day earlier than expected.”
While higher oil prices are usually fingered as the prime culprit, the rising cost of commodities such as wheat – the basic ingredient of such Filipino staples as pan de sal and instant noodles – is also to blame. The price of other grains is also significantly up.
As a result of such pressures, poverty in the Philippines has grown somewhat last year, frequent government pronouncements of economic growth notwithstanding:
“The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) yesterday reported that poverty incidence, in terms of families, increased to 26.9% in 2006 from 24.4% in 2003.
“The results also mean that 33 out of 100 Filipinos were poor that year, compared to the 30 per 100 three years earlier, the NSCB said, even as it stressed that the latest results were lower than the 27.5% in 2000.”
Crude oil prices have finally broken through the USD 100-a-barrel barrier very recently, and an appeal made by US president George W. Bush to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to increase production has fallen on deaf ears:
“Harry Tchilinguirian, an analyst at BNP Paribas, said Opec’s decision “will support prices around $100 a barrel for the time being, which adds to the inflationary pressure in consuming countries.”"
The Philippines is merely joining other countries in Asia suffering through a spell of high inflation, and no wonder:
“Across Asia, there is no let-up in rents or food prices, which are feeding into general inflation — at a 26-year high in Singapore, an 11-year high in China and a 12-year high in Vietnam — and pushing up wages.
“Among soft commodities, wheat prices are at record highs after a 120 percent surge in 14 months.”
There may be a ray of hope just up ahead:
“Some analysts argue that the spike in prices is seasonal, that food supplies will improve in the summer as China’s disruptive winter storms abate and oil demand in the northern hemisphere weakens when heating becomes unnecessary.”
Or it could be the light at the end of the tunnel is the headlamp of an oncoming train:
“However, brokerage Nomura thinks these analysts have underestimated the impact of China’s extreme weather and the country’s dependence on imported commodities, which, it argues, will keep prices elevated for far longer than expected.”
This piece of much-awaited Philippine political news made headlines today: President finally scraps EO 464. With a catch.
“Ms Arroyo, however, did not waive executive privilege, enshrined in the Constitution, that prohibits public disclosure of matters of national security.”
While the President may have repealed her controversial executive order, it is very likely that she and her administration will continue to use EO 464’s definition of subject matters deemed covered by executive privilege is, with the Supreme Court’s approval to boot:
- Conversations and correspondence between the President and the public official covered by this executive order;
- Military, diplomatic and other national security matters which in the interest of national security should not be divulged;
- Information between inter-government agencies prior to the conclusion of treaties and executive agreements;
- Discussion in close-door Cabinet meetings, and;
- Matters affecting national security and public order.
While many are now cheering the repeal of EO 464, it actually changes nothing. It is true: administration officials may now freely accept invitations by the Congress to act as resource persons and attend committee hearings, all without seeking prior permission from the office of the President; nevertheless, the administration itself may still positively assert its privilege of withholding what it deems sensitive information from the legislature, and if history is any guide, it will do so aggressively.
Plus a companion order, Memorandum Circular 108, also condemned as a mirror image of the reviled EO 464, is still in the statute books, although it has been said that this memo will be rescinded as well.
Manuel Quezon III links to an entry by Smoke that is as skeptical as I am, and explains it in detail to boot. Oh, the Palace has riposte for pundits like myself: ‘Those unhappy with scrapping of EO 464 not after truth’.
It is entirely possible that a witness may take the stand and state his name, age, rank, serial number,, and personal circumstances – and nothing more.
