Church: Politicians have betrayed people power

Politicians have abused and betrayed people power, a Church official warned yesterday during a Mass to commemorate the third anniversary of the EDSA II people power revolt.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Socrates Villegas said in his homily that there is still hope for the country despite the dismal state of the economy, but that this cannot come from politicians or the elections.

"Politicians have abused and betrayed people power," he said. "The politics of convenience and compromise that we see around us cannot save the nation. Maraming magagawang mabuti kung pulitika ay isasantabi (A lot of good can be done if politics is set aside)."

There were two Masses held at the EDSA Shrine in Pasig City, one at 6:30 a.m. and the other at 12:15 p.m.

The morning Mass was attended by President Arroyo, her family, Cabinet members and other government officials.

Among those who attended the noontime Mass were presidential aspirant Raul Roco, former senator Heherson Alvarez and his wife Cecilia, Council of Philippine Affairs leader Pastor "Boy" Saycon, and National Youth Commission chairman Paolo Be- nigno Aquino.

Former President Corazon Aquino, who was swept to the presidency during the February 1986 EDSA I revolt that ousted the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, also attended the noontime Mass.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales was supposed to deliver the homily for the two Masses, but he begged off at the last minute as he was reportedly not feeling well.

Villegas is a protégé of retired Manila archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, who was instrumental in the successful ouster of both Marcos and former President Joseph Estrada in EDSA I and EDSA II, respectively. Marcos’ widow, Imelda, and Estrada have been charged with having acquired ill-gotten wealth.

"I have given up on our corrupt and dishonest politicians. Politics is a lost cause in our country. Politicians have given a bad meaning to politics. Politicians are destroying themselves. But let us not allow them to destroy this nation," Villegas said.

He said the hope of the country lies in "the ordinary people who do not make it to the headlines but work diligently, quietly and without fanfare for the welfare of others who might not even thank or appreciate them."

God works through those who are "little and unrecognized," Villegas maintained.

"EDSA Dos was not about what one personality (has) over another. EDSA Dos was about ordinary people, nameless heroic people dressed in black, chanting slogans and singing songs to bring back morality in public governance," he added.

Villegas noted that the country’s best hope are not leaders elected by the ballot but ordinary, simple Filipinos "who live out their heroism every day of the year."

"What the nation needs are committed people ready to work for the common good. We do not need more rallies and demonstrations. What we need is food for the poor, home for the poor, school for the poor children. Rallies and demonstrations cannot bring this to the poor," he said.

Roco, in a statement, said Villegas’ homily is a "good description of the many politicians who would do anything without basis in principle or honor just for sheer expediency."

"We still have a duty to create and nurture hope, because if we don’t, then nobody else will care for the country," he added.

Roco noted that his rival, Mrs. Arroyo, did not attend the noontime Mass.

"Unfortunately, the leader is not here. She came early, as though afraid of the people who put her in position. She came at six in the morning, afraid to face the people that put her in power. It is a pitiful description of the state of political leadership in the Philippines," he said.

Aquino, for her part, said mere complaining about the problems besetting the country will not do any good.

"Stop complaining and let’s do something positive for our country," was her message to those who are disillusioned about what is happening in government.

Aquino told reporters after the noontime Mass that her wish is "for all of us to really care for each other. As I have been saying, let us pray for peaceful and credible elections and I hope that day will come when all of us Filipinos will be one."

She also said that she has high regard for non-government organizations that continue to work "regardless of difficulties," urging Filipinos to join NGOs to help the country.

Aquino said she was glad the World Bank accommodated 40 of 1,800 NGOs that presented project proposals for funding.

Meanwhile, opposition Sen. Edgardo Angara, who was Estrada’s executive secretary up to the time he was ousted in a popular revolt, said there was no reason to celebrate the third anniversary of EDSA II.

"EDSA II ought not to be celebrated. It only showed the divisiveness in the country … the divisiveness between the rich and poor," he said.

Angara now backs Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr., Mrs. Arroyo’s closest presidential rival. — With Nikko Dizon