RIZAL’S IDEOLOGY ON THE CURRENT ISSUES IN THE PHILIPPINES

By Aguihap, Gabriel Enzo B.

 The issue of the Philippines being underdeveloped is the reason there are injustice, inequality, and the

people behind it as who are the reason for the cheating in the first ever election held in Cavite. The

Philippines is still in a devastating situation as the people suffer inflation issues as they limit their overall

income to endure everyday life. Precisely, the poor people in the country despair most of their lives as

the recent global crisis makes things worst. In addition, the oligarchy shapes the Government that

affects many people to work hard in order to have a sustainable future for themselves and others.

Nothing changes in the system of governance as those people above manipulate the entire Filipinos. The

above mentioned lines cause the underlying circumstances of the Philippines being underdeveloped.

Those at the bottom are getting poorer, and the middle-class citizens who pay the most significant taxes

for the country are more affected. The rich pay only a small percentage in taxes. Many militants and

activists want to address the issues they feel as the reforms are still developing in congress. For

example, land reforms will guarantee landless farmers to secure lands as the reform land tenure aims to

end the poverty. The status of the Philippines' agriculture and taxation policies is deemed substantial

development for the country. In even the most basic units of governance, the circulation and allocation

of public funds are compelled to exist under making public services available.

Taxation is vital to governance (Africa, 2016). Also, from the findings, the cause of the failure of

economic issues is that Developing countries face formidable challenges when they attempt to establish

efficient tax systems. First, most workers in these countries are typically employed in agriculture or

small, informal enterprises. As they are seldom paid a regular, fixed wage, their earnings fluctuate, and

many are paid in cash, "off the books"( Economic Issues No. 27 -- Tax Policy for Developing Countries,
n.d.)Also, the constitutional change made by Corazon Aquino needs to be revised as it needs a lot of

improvement or issues that need to address to change.

The use of the Reform Revolution aggressively means a people power to fight for what they think is

right. However, Rizal is against the revolution as he insists that successful reforms should come from

above. Rizal does not want people to die without seeing the dawn that Filipinos should feel as if violence

should not win. Jose Rizal intends to show that through reform and his novels, oppressors or oligarchs

can make them back out, which the reforms were consolidated as oppressors hate towards Rizal's life

work. Rizal's intention was to awaken nationalism in the Filipinos through reforms without getting hurt

by colonizers. According to the article by Brillo (2012), "A theoretical review on Philippine policymaking;

The Weak State-Elitist Framework and the Pluralist Perspective." The composition of the theory

articulates that the Philippines cannot need to move on to improve and execute the programs that

would benefit many. As it shows, the Philippines must need to catch up to the developing neighboring

country. The family dynasties and elitists are the two consequential facets that hold power as they

become superior, which they should not have. Jose Rizal works novels aimed to break those ties of

authority within the oligarchs that made the country into a messy place. Our national hero ideology in

reforming through non-violence needs much understanding instead of battling through action. Many do

not understand why Rizal kept on rejecting the revolution. Regardless, Rizal is unaware of the power of

the people below in forcing change and reform. 

Furthermore, the mentioned issues and problems that need to address above mentioned is now one

step closer to changing something that would make equality. Land reforms and institutional change can

forge a new system that might ensure well-defined reforms. The reforms should be de-develop and

improvised to such an equal share that the impoverished can catch up in the hereafter through the

reform. The benefits of changing the constitution that shifts our country into federalism can unravel the
problem in the Philippines. Federalism will also benefit the people suffering from poverty through

equality that can assure those in need. As the proposal of the draft constitution, it will not affect the

current highest position to reelect again or give more chance to run again in any place in the

Government. The draft guarantees anti-dynasty provisions and socio-economics rights, breaking up the

elite's monopoly in the Government, and politicians should have a college degree to be eligible to

govern. Amending and supporting, according to Duterte (2018), federalism can create a pristine

environment in that Filipinos will have an equal opportunity to grow and create a future that they can

proudly bequeath to the succeeding generations. These are Rizal's meant for future generations, like the

constitutional change that can reset the Government's system. Although the reform lacks public

awareness and support from congress, I can say that many in the high ups do not want change. As

mentioned above that politicians should have a college degree before they lead in the Government. 

 Moreover, farmers are one step closer to achieving their sentiments to have their land as the Land

Reform guarantees they will get something fair. Some lands are still not yet contributed to the landless

farmers as this can help our economy grow. According to Agricultural Service - Calamba City (2023),

agriculture development is considered one of the most attractive businesses, and improvements for

agricultural land are being carried out to receive more investments. The advocates for the usefulness of

Rizal's novels in awakening our nationalism will help them to understand institutional reform. As Rizal

sees a bright future for generations that, the Philippines will achieve justice, equality, and a sense of

nationalism. To weigh in on taxation, in federalism, percentage taxes are much more challenging to

bargain with. Throughout the reforms, supporting institutional change is necessary as many legatees

and transformations in the system resolve ensue. Without getting harmed, we can achieve something

better that assures the equality that all of Filipinos want. The proper way of addressing the issues about

the society has a lot of trials and processes before passing the bill. Which advocacies can be heard

through reforms in development as they can bring the governance closer to the people.
 In conclusion, many Filipinos need to understand the works of Rizal as also the essential reforms that

will lead the country to peace. Our fellow citizens need to be made aware and better to comprehend the

advantages of the Institutional change that will shift the system in the Government. The old system in

the Philippines should exterminate as people grow and learn from their blunders. Agrarian reforms are

one step closer to the farmers achieving a decent livelihood with owned land. The case is that the

Philippines suffers from food shortages that cause high demand. Even with the supporting facts from the

readings, the root of the country's underdevelopment is not enough to wake the Filipinos. With such a

goal of catching up to the developed country, the mindset should be the infinitive effects of what is the

country's best in producing something. Other nations develop their own skill for them to be able to have

an organization that can sustain people equally. As trades are the most factorable business country to

country basis in exchange for something that will help them develop. The agrarian change greatly

benefits regional democratization and the land-subordinate country's delight in absolute fundamental

sovereignty. Rizal influenced the youth to think more critically as we are the next leaders and as a citizen

that would choose an adequate leader with a sense of nationalism and fair equality for all. The

Constitutional reform of the Federal Government is perhaps the best proposal that Filipinos can adopt in

the light of social justice. Our national hero is known as the leading national hero because he was non-

violent and reformist. Rizal's ideology utilizing the reform in addressing the problems above is indeed

worthwhile. Even though Filipino would prefer to die fighting for the country instead patiently waiting

while suffering. Nevertheless, knowledge is indispensable throughout the findings and learnings from

Rizal's life works. He shows his way of writing for a more reasonable understanding the genuine purpose

of nationalism and how to fight for liberation without the use of warfare weapons.

Lastly, the killings of activists that stand on their own feet as they raise their voices but have not been

heard, just like Jose Rizal, who speaks for something that is honorable, but eventually, the affected

oligarch has the power to erase them like a mere cockroach. Nowadays, the sense of social justice has
awakened as many youths participate in the talks for a better society. We need to inspire others to

understand the deep meaning of Rizal's nationalism as it depicts that history's issues are still alive today.

The novels that he made is to aspire everyone to open their minds in making decisions that would make

our country a better place. The change starts with people that would pick a true leader rather than an

oligarch. Change through reform is the best way to prevent the underlying disastrous issues that may

come.
References:

Summary Inflation Report Consumer Price Index (2018=100): December 2022 | Philippine Statistics

Authority. (2018). Psa.gov.ph. https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/survey/price/summary-inflation-

report-consumer-price-index-2018100-december-2022#:~:text=The%20Philippines’%20average

%20inflation%20rate,inflation%20rate%20of%203.9%20percent.&text=i.,goods%20and

%20services%2C%203.0%20percent

Agricultural Service - Calamba City. (2023). Infoisinfo.

https://calamba-city.infoisinfo-ph.com/search/agriculture

Brillo, B. B. (2011). A theoretical review on Philippine policy-making: The weak state-elitist framework
and the pluralist perspective. Philippine Quarterly of Culture & Society, 39(1), 54-76. Retrieved from
https://www.jstor. org/stable/23645264? seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

giz. (2023, January 28). Youth for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence in Mindanao (YOUCAP).

Www.giz.de. https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/79938.html