Filipino First policy

The Filipino First (Tagalog: Pilipino Muna) refers to a policy first introduced and implemented by the administration of then Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia.^[1] Under the policy, Filipino-owned business over its foreign counterparts, and the patronizing of Filipino-made products by Filipinos was also promoted.^[2]

History

Under President Carlos P. Garcia

The policy of Garcia, was a response to the impact of free trade and American economic dominance in the Philippines for years following the World War II. It is meant to assert Filipino role over the country's economy if not to gain control of it by promoting "Filipino business establishment".^[3]

Garcia first instituted the policy with the issuance of Resolution No. 202 of the National Economic Council on August 28, 1958. The policy dictates that Filipinos would have preference over non-Filipinos in receiving foreign exchange. In line with the policy, Garcia pledge that his administration would assist Filipino entrepreneurs to make ventures in industries dominated by non-Filipinos.^[4]

The policy received positive reception from Filipino businessmen,^[3] and there were calls to expand the scope of policy to include other spheres of society such as education.^[4]

However, it received negative reception from foreign businessmen particularly the Americans, Chinese along with the Chinese Filipino. Chinese-Filipinos in particular accused the policy of discrimination over its interpretation of who is a "Filipino" and felt marginalized by the policy.^[3] The opposition branded the policy as a political propaganda meant to win support from the public to secure Garcia's reelection as President in the next elections. Critics has also labeled the policy as being "anti-foreign"^[4]

Garcia in response to his critics said that his policy was not meant to foster Filipino "exclusiveness" or was meant to be "anti-foreign" and stated that the Philippines will not close itself to foreign capital. He asserts that the policy is meant to give Filipinos priority in relation to the control over the country's basic industries and their development.^[4]

1987 Constitution

The Filipino First policy may also refer to a set of provisions found in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines which gives Filipinos preferential treatment in the national economy over foreigners.^[5][6]

...in the grant of rights, privileges, and concessions covering the national economy and patrimony, the State shall give preference to qualified Filipinos

— Article XII, 1987 Constitution of the Philippines

Refereneces

1. "Pangulong Carlos P. Garcia: ‘Pilipino Muna’" (in Filipino). Balita.net. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
2. The Filipino Moving Onward 4 (2007 ed.). Rex Bookstore, Inc. 2007. ISBN 9712341534. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
3. Abinales, Patricio N.; Amoroso, Donna J. (2005). "All Politics is Local, 1946-1964". State and Society in the Philippines (illustrated ed.). Lanham, Md.: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 182–184. ISBN 0742510247. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
4. Pelorina, Renato (January 2013). "Decontrol and its Effects on Philippine Economy (1962-1966)" (PDF). International Refereed Research Journal IV (1): 27–31. ISSN 2231-4172.
5. "G.R. No. 122156 - Manila Prince Hotel vs. Government Service Insurance System, Manila Hotel Corporation, Committee on Privatization and Office of the Government Counsel". The LawPhil Project. Manila: Supreme Court of the Philippines. 3 February 1997. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
6. Villegas, Bernardo (16 November 2012). "Moderating the Filipino First policy". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 29 January 2016.