The Protectionist State

          It is the policy of the State to develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. The State has also put into recognition the goals of the national economy which would provide a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth. This policy has sealed the opportunity of an alien to acquire absolute ownership of alienable lands, save in cases of hereditary succession, and it, likewise, limits the capital share of foreign investments in public utilities to only 40 per centum.

             

        The ambition set forth by the Constitution in matters of national economy has long been dormant from the moment of its ratification. The people, with the hope of economic liberation and equal distribution in wealth, have found its resting place in perpetual slavery of poverty, social inequality and loss of opportunity. The economic gap between the capable few and unfortunate many has stretched its boundary with miles apart. While the State’s policy extends an arm of protection in our national economy, it failed to provide a progressive economy since public utility services are owned by a few elite.

             

           When the State’s primary public services are controlled by a limited number of capitalist, it will create a climate of an evil monopoly. The ceiling of foreign investments in public utility services to only 40 percent must be revisited. The increase of capital share would lead to a distributive share of economic chance and, eventually, the collapse of monopoly in the Philippines. Necessary change must be met in order to claim prosperity in the hands of the sovereign which the Constitution has in view to the Filipino people.