Time to pray harder

These are times when doubts creep into the minds and hearts of many on the real advantages of democracy. If the workings of a democratic government are accurately depicted by the present political turmoil, we really need some kind of a strong arm to put a leash on the exercise of our rights. After the lifting of that destructive and superfluous declaration of state of national emergency so many speculations and analyses still surfaced ascribing all sorts of motives behind the declaration. As I watch the coterie of political analysts airing their thoughts and outlook on the situation, I recall one of the favorite expressions of my late daughter Joyce whose third death anniversary we celebrate today – too much analysis leads to paralysis. Sad to say we are really in a state of paralysis following the state of national emergency.

Of course I do not say that we should muzzle the press and shut down the main venue of the free market of ideas. Voicing out the various theories on Malacañang's recent reactions to the brewing coup plot really help. The calibrated response hypothesis as a measure of testing the waters is quite an eye opener indeed especially to gullible and naïve people like me. We thought that the move was simply a spontaneous reaction borne out of the instinct for survival as manifested by the apparent lack of thorough deliberation on its legality. Nevertheless the validation of the differing contentions should not be done through baseless propaganda and media overexposure. Now that the case is before the Supreme Court, the debate should be confined as much as possible within the judicial chambers so that our nation can devote its attention to solving the present political impasse.

National crisis usually spurs the people to close ranks and work together. But it is not happening to us here and now. It seems that our warring politicians have fanned the flames of dissension and discord beyond control and we are reaping its pernicious effects now. The feud is mainly between the politicians out to reclaim lost power and those of the same ilk who replaced them allegedly under dubious circumstances. Under the guise of protecting and advancing the country's interest both sides are actually trying to push hidden self-serving agenda in their attempt to grab or retain power with all its fame, fortune and pelf. This is main reason for the stalemate. It is insoluble unless one of them sees the light and makes the supreme sacrifice of forsaking the alleged cause they are fighting for or defending.

Anger and arrogance on both sides are also big obstacles to breaking the deadlock. The truth behind the issues hounding the President cannot be brought out by going to the streets and angrily asking her to step down even for seemingly valid causes. Anger has no place in a peaceful resolution of a conflict. Demanding her resignation is exacting punishment and making judgments without due process. On the other hand the President and her allies should not stifle the process of ferreting out the truth by such method like preventing the impeachment complaint from being tried on the merits thru sheer force of numbers; using CPR to infringe on the right to peaceably assemble for redress of grievances; and issuing EO 464 to muzzle witnesses in testifying at fact finding investigations. They only create more unrest and further erode the Administration's credibility. Both sides must work out a modus operandi that will produce fair and credible results. The CBCP's idea of a Truth Commission can still be explored.

Using legally questionable methods and resorting to repressive measures only escalate dissent and heighten resentments. A coup plot to topple the regime is definitely a no-no. But so is the resort to useless and harmful declaration of the state of national emergency that is fraught with danger of abuse and violations of constitutional rights in its implementation especially freedom of speech and of the press. Randy David and The Daily Tribune can attest to this danger. Two wrongs do not a right make. Now is the time for dialogue or heart to heart confrontation in an atmosphere of humility and patience on both sides. After all, both profess to have the best interest of the country at heart.

Of course these proffered solutions are too idealistic. On the more practical side let me quote a portion of a letter circulating in the internet signed by an isang middle class Pinoy na walang puknat na binabawasan ang sweldo ng Buwis. He claims to articulate the feelings of the middle class, the silent majority. It is written in Pilipino. So to capture its true essence, the message is quoted verbatim: Sa Oposisyon: Please lang gasgas na rin ang pagrarally nyo na katabi nyo ay mga bayaran na mahihirap, magtayo nalang kayo ng negosyo at iempleyo ang mga rallyista para maging productive silang mamamayan. Sige nga, pag nagrarally kayo yakapin nyo nga at halikan yung mga kasama nyong nagrarally!! Nung People Power namin nagyayakapan kami lahat noon. Wala naman mangyayari sa mga rally nyo nakakatraffic lang, kami pang middle-class ang napeperwisyo. Di nyo kayang paghintayin ng 3 araw ang mga rallyista nyo kasi kelangan nyo pakainin at swelduhan ang mga yan. Kung gusto nyo tagumpay na People Power kami ang isama nyo pero pagod na kami e, sori ha.

Sa Administrasyon: Hayan ayus na ha pinatawad na namin ang pandaraya nyo sa eleksyon, pruweba dito e di kami umaatend sa mga panawagan ng people power, kaya sana naman gantihan nyo kami ng magandang serbisyo at magaling na pamumuno at malaking bawas sa kurakot naman please para kahit papano maramdaman naman namin na may napupuntahan ang binabayad naming buwis. Saka Madam GMA, step down ka na pag parliamentary na tayo sa 2007, tignan mo, i-announce mo mag-step down ka kapag parliamentary na tayo, resounding YES yan sa plebiscite at tigil pa ang coup at people power laban sayo. Try mo lang...

Apparently it would take a miracle to get us out of this debilitating deadlock. But who knows with lots of prayers miracle can still happen especially during this Lenten season. Now is the time to pray harder.

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