Amongst the
list of the most pressing issues in the Philippines, stands a long-time problem
of Crony Capitalism. Cronyism as stated by several sources refers to the
extremely unethical nature by which businesses thrive due to their use of
Political Power. These Cronies have been a part of Philippine Politics for
decades. The Crony Capitalists allegedly may be people with direct political
power or are colluding with those who possess power in the state. The practice
of Cronyism pursues inequality and favors those who hold power, these may also
hurt the government while hurting local businesses practice lawfulness. The
practice pf Cronyism has destructively affected the country back during the Marcos
regime as the cash-crop sector has been violated by the cronies. It seemed as
though, Filipino farmers were slapped by a red-card as it was a direct foul by
which they were treated. Filipino farmers had to endure selling their produce to
monopolies on a price that puts them on a loss. As such cronies were given
lifts on tariffs and leeway on obtaining their licenses.
As such,
several Cronies were born out of the Marcos Regime, as the political power has
been monopolized by the First Family. Most
of which are closely related to the Marcos and the Cojuangco families. Several
Cronies were entrusted with major companies such as Meralco, PLDT, Benguet
Corporation, Pilipinas Shell, San Miguel Corporation, etc. Big Political Actors
such as the well-known Juan Ponce Enrile, Lucio Tan, Eduardo “Danding”
Cojuangco Jr., and Ramon Cojuangco were considered as Marcos cronies. One of
the richest people in the Philippines, Lucio Tan maybe considered as one who
came from rags has been allegedly a Marcos Crony. This is due to the fact that
Fortune Tobacco has grown exponentially during the Marcos era, taking advantage
of the humongous import tariffs and tax exemptions that lead Fortune Tobacco to
being a monopoly for several decades. Several Companies were also handed out to
the loyal people close to the Marcos family.
The Manila Electric Company now known as Meralco has previously belonged
to the Lopez family. However during the Marcos’ Regime it was taken away from
the Lopez family and was turned over to Imelda Marcos’ brother Benjamin
Romualdez and Juan Ponce Enrile. This proved to be a power grab by the former
President Marcos who gave these Cronies the advantage in the realm of Business.
Likewise, companies such as Benguet Corporation, Pilipinas Shell, and PCI bank
were also entrusted to the President’s brother-in-law. Meanwhile now still
considered as one of the biggest telecommunications company PLDT was seized by
the Marcos regime and was secretly entrusted to the crony Ramon Cojuangco.
Finally, amongst the largest companies in the Philippines today, the San Miguel
Corporation which now diversified into different industries such as Mining,
Utilities, and Infrastructures was passed on to Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr.
using the Coconut Levy funds.
Recently,
in 2016 several articles point out the Philippines as amongst the top countries
dominated by Cronyism. The progressions are severely depressing as these allegedly big-time Cronies’ charges were
dropped. Meanwhile, these actors are still able to uninterruptedly allowed to take
positions in the state, conduct business, and are held unaccountable for their
unjust practices for their personal benefits.
List of Sources:
(n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-10401.html
Lustre, P. M., Jr.
(n.d.). Search for Marcos' wealth: Compromising with cronies. Retrieved June
28, 2019, from
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/123667-marcos-cronies-compromise
ABS-CBN. (2016,
February 15). Romualdez: My father was not a Marcos crony. Retrieved June 28,
2019, from
https://news.abs-cbn.com/halalan2016/nation/v1/02/15/16/romualdez-my-father-was-not-a-marcos-crony
Cronyism worse in
Philippines today – study. (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2019, from
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2016/06/13/1592341/cronyism-worse-philippines-today-study
Davies, N. (2016, May
07). The $10bn question: What happened to the Marcos millions? Retrieved June
28, 2019, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/07/10bn-dollar-question-marcos-millions-nick-davies
Drogin, B. (1991,
January 01). Profile : The King of Cronies Eyes Power in the Philippines :
Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. amassed a fortune under Ferdinand Marcos and survived his
ouster. He remains an embarrassing thorn in the side of Corazon Aquino.
Retrieved June 29, 2019, from
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-01-wr-7589-story.html
Drogin, B. (1991,
January 01). Profile : The King of Cronies Eyes Power in the Philippines :
Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. amassed a fortune under Ferdinand Marcos and survived his
ouster. He remains an embarrassing thorn in the side of Corazon Aquino.
Retrieved June 28, 2019, from
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-01-wr-7589-story.html
Philstar. (n.d.). I
have papers proving Meralco was legally sold to gov’t - Enrile. Retrieved June
28, 2019, from
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2002/09/22/176968/i-have-papers-proving-meralco-was-legally-sold-gov146t-enrile
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