For bitter or for worse

I had originally planned on writing only about my friend Senator Alfredo Lim this week. But because of the latest developments, one cannot help but write about what is happening in the country today. Many of those who know this country have predicted that when things start to look up – the economy growing, hotel rooms fully booked with tourists, a significant increase in investments, the peso having the highest currency appreciation in all of Asia then bingo – we shoot ourselves in the face, not even in the foot. Once again, the Philippines is in the center of international attention with this latest coup attempt against GMA. In fact, my daughter texted us from New York asking what was going on because we’re all over the news once again. This seems to be so typical of the Filipino. And there seem to be people – and they’re definitely in the minority – who are determined to see to it that this country and the economy will not move forward. They want to make sure that when we reach the 100-million population mark, there will be at least 90 million who will be living below the poverty line. This seems to be their main objective in life.

And the worst part is that some of these businessmen who should be making every effort to improve the economy, building businesses to help make life better for majority of Filipinos, are the same ones who are trying to destroy this country and derail whatever economic gains we are making. They are so wrapped up in their imagined powers that they fancy themselves to be king makers or worse, un-makers of kings. They have deluded themselves into believing they are God’s gift to this country.

These are the people who insist on changing leaders through unconstitutional means, who are still living in the past. Yes, people should not forget EDSA I, but that was 20 years ago. We cannot keep going back to the past. We have to move forward. And that’s the sad part about what’s happening today. GMA may not be the most lovable person in the world, but the alternative is definitely less lovable – a military junta. The only legitimate way to remove her is through the rule of law. That’s the only internationally acceptable way. Those who continue to be bitter against her will only make things worse for this country. A clear case of – for bitter or for worse!

* * *

Much has been written about EDSA I – the first, and as I have always said, the only legitimate People Power Revolution – but most Filipinos don’t realize that EDSA I would never have happened at all had Alfredo S. Lim, then Metropolitan Police chief, dispersed the crowd along that stretch of EDSA leading to Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame. On that Sunday morning of Feb. 23, Fred Lim received orders from Army Commander Josephus Ramas to clear EDSA immediately, an order reiterated by Marcos that afternoon to "disperse the crowd at all cost," because tanks and artillery were being sent in to shell Camp Crame where the rebels had holed up.

It would have been easy for Fred to wipe out the crowd, because there were only 5,000 people that morning. But Fred knew he had to take a stand, not only because Ramos and Enrile were his direct superiors, but he realized that letting the people converge in EDSA was the right thing to do. So he played the dangerous game of appearing to follow orders when in reality, he was cleverly shirking them, deliberately leaving behind majority of his men at their headquarters in Camp Sikatuna. No one also knew of that call made by Ramos to Lim, admitting that a dispersal would wipe out all the rebels holed up in Crame. It was virtually a subtle appeal, and it was then that Fred Lim finally realized where he stood: EDSA must continue. He knew that to have done otherwise would have plunged the country into a civil war. The rest, as they say, is history.

When Fred Lim ran for president in 1998, his political opponents tried to derail his bid by raising the issue of his citizenship, which pained him the most. As he told reporters then, it was the first time anyone ever questioned his citizenship all through his years in government, when in fact he laid down his life and career on the line during EDSA and in protecting the Cory Aquino government. As tough as Lim was, this was one issue that truly hurt him, literally and figuratively. Looking back, I believe Fred would have made a good president, especially with his tough, no-nonsense stance against crime and lawlessness.

The worst thing that anyone can do is to question someone’s loyalty to his country and his citizenship. How dare they do that to somebody who probably loves this country more than most Filipinos? Fred Lim is not prone to grandstanding. He is a man who doesn’t talk much, unlike most clowns who do nothing but blabber and mouth motherhood statements. In this day and age when there seems to be very few who love this country, it is good to know that there is a guy like Fred Lim. To me, he is the quintessential example of a true Filipino.

* * *

I must congratulate billionaire Joey Concepcion III, PGMA’s Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship. In spite of what is going on, he still continued his Go Negosyo Summit and Expo. This is the kind of presidential adviser GMA should continue to have, and not the kind who take advantage of their positions for their own benefit. We have to give credit to Joey for putting his money where his mouth is. He continues to be optimistic, doing what he can to give a more positive spin for business in the Philippines. This is what businessmen should do today, unlike some minority members of the Makati business group who continue to fancy themselves as king makers or worse – God’s gift to this country.

* * *

E-mail: [email protected]