With these findings, what Senator Lacson said about the cremation of federalism may yet be the course of action that the Senate would take.

We have always said that at this time when the people are restless over inflation, rising unemployment, criminality, violence, and repression of human rights, among others, the focus of government should be in the search for solutions to these priority concerns.

There is a growing clamor for solutions that address the growing economic and social gaps,the consequence of the concentration of growth that benefit only a few. Now, it is becoming more obvious that the deadly cancer in our country today is the excessive growth of capitalism, the impact of which is shown in the unwarranted power of political dynasties and oligarchs and the growing divide between the “we and “them,”  the haves and the have-nots. People have expressed their dissatisfaction in various ways but the solutions they envision are directed towards the same goal – the desire for a fairer, kinder, society where there exists respect and dignity for everyone.

There is no overnight cure for the problem as our society today is so divided Thus, the search for solutions would require a long process of consultation and the presence of trust, faith, and patience. The important thing is that there exists a similar perception of the problem and that there is recognition of the need to involve everyone in a national dialogue. Otherwise, the barriers will continue to exist and everyone would still be moving around in circles. Like in the earlier peace process in Mindanao,the peace we envision may take decades to achieve but the process must start now.

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