From people power to pro-poor projects

The shape of people power in the Philippines is shifting and taking on a new form in programs that empower the poor, Balanga, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas said yesterday.

Villegas, the assistant of the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin who led the Church in joining both EDSA I and II, said the spirit of people power "through rallies and demonstrations belongs to the past."

"People power is 20 years old in the Philippines," Villegas said. "It has new emerging faces in the empowerment of the poor through cooperatives, through micro-financing, through free education, through housing projects, through nutrition programs."

Some of the most enduring images of the 1986 people power revolt were of people from all walks of life sharing food and water regardless of social class or wealth, of people praying together and standing together, arms firmly linked, for the common good.

Echoing the sentiment of most Catholic bishops, Villegas believes people power can no longer be used to change a government, as his "tired, wiser and cynical countrymen will not allow that to happen anymore."

"The purpose of people is not political change," he said. "The aim of people power is change of heart or conversion."

"We changed presidents but forgot to change within," Villegas added. "People power without inner conversion will not lead us to the Promised Land but to the valley of darkness. We blame no one but ourselves."

Without mentioning specific names, he said politicians who benefited from EDSA I have betrayed the trust of the people and were the main reason why the country has "politics that is bad, transactional and without moral principles.

"We drove away Ali Baba but the forty thieves have taken over," he added. "We must never allow any politician to ever tamper with people power again."

Villegas said he believes the spirit of people power has been "raped, abused and battered by transactional politics."

Despite this, he believes EDSA I should be commemorated and he criticized the "low key preparations" for the 20th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA revolt.

"I protest against the way the government remembers its roots. People power must indeed be in the heart 364 days of the year," he said. "On the 365th day, we must celebrate, jubilate and feast. Those in office chose to use the euphemism ‘people power in the heart’ because the past 364 days since the last celebration were nothing but abuse and plunder of the legacy of people power."

Villegas recalled telling stories about EDSA I to the youth of Manila when he was a young priest: "As a priest whose priesthood was shaped by people power, I told them that I was there and I knew the inside story.

"I still believe that the power of people power is prayer. I still believe that the hero of people power is God. Anyone who claims credit for people power is misled," he said. "People power is really God at work in a people who have allowed Him to rule their lives," Villegas said.

He said "EDSA 1986 showed us what greatness we can achieve if God will be the only master of our lives. EDSA 1986 was not an exodus from slavery to freedom. It was a transfiguration showing us how great we can be."

Meanwhile, former President Fidel Ramos, credited as one of the catalysts and heroes of the first EDSA revolt, called on Filipinos to "imbibe anew the spirit of EDSA 1986."

Ramos was PC-INP chief and Armed Forces vice chief of staff when he chose to withdraw support from dictator Ferdinand Marcos along with then defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile.

Speaking at a recent book launch, Ramos said EDSA 1986 "continues to be held high around the world as a shining example of unity, courage and sacrifice."

He said the spirit of EDSA "emanates from the Filipinos’ act of selfless giving, of believing that peaceful change without violence could be achieved.

"Turning our back against EDSA and to blame it for our country’s ills today would be tantamount to debasing the ‘Spirit of 1896’ ignited by the intellect of (national fero) Jose Rizal, the valor of (Katipunan supremo) Andres Bonifacio and the resoluteness of (former President and Gen.) Emilio Aguinaldo," Ramos said. "It would also insult the ‘Spirit of Bataan’ exemplified by the heroism and suffering of those who walked the Death March and fought a nationwide guerrilla struggle against (the Japanese Imperial Army) for three painful years to include then Maj. Simeon Valdez," Ramos’ maternal grandfather.

Ramos made his comments at the launch of the book titled "Uncle Sim: The Life and Times of Simeon Marcos Valdez" by Melandrew Velasco.

Ramos also paid tribute to Valdez, whom he described as "not only my favorite uncle, but my early role model who continues to be my living hero of many battles today."

Known as the liberator of Abra and Ilocos Norte, Valdez was ordered to join other guerrilla forces under United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) Col. Russel Volckmann on the final assault of Besang Pass, the last defensive bastion of Japanese Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita in the Cordilleras.