A day of historic ironies

American sociologist Charles Wright Mills wrote that "memory or written history is enormously malleable. It changes, often quite drastically from one generation of historians to another - and not merely because more detailed research later introduces new facts and documents into the record. It changes also because of changes in the points of interest and current framework within which the record is built."

Until this year, February 25 has been remembered and celebrated as the historic day of the much admired EDSA People Power. The present Malacañang occupants, however, did not hide their lack of interest and support for the celebration of that historic event this year.

Instead, GMA read her proclamation of the State of National Emergency last Friday morning. In a style reminiscent of Ferdinand Marcos reading Proclamation No. 1081, declaring martial law over the entire country in September 21, 1972, GMA read Proclamation 1017 declaring to the Filipino people that she has placed the whole nation under State of National Emergency.

Saying that GMA's Proclamation 1017 was different from Marcos' Proclamation 1081, Malacañang and GMA supporters emphasized that the state of national emergency was not a declaration of martial law.

Their verbal declarations, however, did not match the subsequent military action authorized by higher officials that were imposed on the Filipino people, the media, and certain personalities.

Suddenly, all forms of celebration of the EDSA People Power were cancelled. "No permit, no rally" was declared for the whole nation. Prof. Randy David, Ronald Llamas, Atty. Guevarra and many others were taken into custody by plainclothes policemen without the benefit of any arrest warrant. Media was warned about "accurate reporting."

Boasting that the clear and present danger of a coup was under control by around 6 in the morning, it remains unclear why GMA still had to push through with Proclamation 1017 before noon of February 24, 2006.

Was the State of National Emergency declared because of the alleged coup attempt or because of the fear and overreaction of Malacañang to the huge number of protesters marching to EDSA and Makati and elsewhere in the nation to commemorate the historic February 1986 when people power toppled a dictatorship?

Did GMA decide on the State of National Emergency after her own reflection and discernment or was she prodded to do so by influential members of the Cabinet and certain military figures? Whatever the rhyme and reason be that prompted GMA to publicly declare Proclamation 1017, February 24, 2006 will certainly go down in Filipino history as the day GMA challenged once more the Filipinos' freedom of speech and assembly just as the dictator Ferdinand Marcos did till February 24, 1986. Whatever GMA and her officials may wish to call Proclamation 1017, critics call this act an unconstitutional declaration of martial law. The historic ironies of recent events have to be reflected on by every Filipino.

On the day that Filipinos assembled to celebrate People Power that restored freedom to the nation, the GMA administration chose to curtail the Filipino people's freedom of speech and assembly. People power at EDSA 2 brought GMA to Malacañang. Is Proclamation 1017 GMA's affirmation of her fear that she may be removed by the same People Power that installed her at Malacañang?

GMA's 1017 is uncannily similar, in style and in content to Marcos' 1081, observed one UP lawyer interviewed on TV. Marcos, however, truthfully declared martial law to the nation. Will this administration own up to the truth of their acts and declarations?

God bless this nation. Let us continue to pray for wisdom, truth and freedom.