I cannot continue to ignore the increasing reactions to an article that I wrote immediately after Mr. Rodolfo Lozada, Jr., (did he say the first gentleman called him J-Lo?) appeared before the three committees of the upper chamber of our legislature. These reactions somehow support my belief that the many other more incisive writers who expressed their ideas on Mr. Lozada’s utterances must have their larger to my minor share of rejoinders. For a while, though, I thought that despite my dire forecast of his exposé as politically deadly as a detonation of a nuclear device, the effects of J-Lo’s testimony would just, after our initial feeling of collective anger, die down. It looks however that I could be wrong. Far from the issue’s slowly getting blurred, the succeeding events seem to suggest that my use of the word fallout was not far off.
Let us reset ourselves to the proper perspective. As we all know, the Senate is, in aid of legislation, investigating the ZTE deal and the testimony of Mr. Lozada is needed in the efforts of our senators to draft appropriate measures. Somewhere along the way, he made revelations like an elections high priest’s asking him to protect his $130M commission. In a manner of speaking, his narration of events showed where the sources of unbridled corruption are and who, probably, practice them. These statements have begun to make some people come out of their what? Atrophy? Apathy? Indifference?
Whatever, there is an increasing number of people who have become seriously interested in these testimonies. My indicator, insignificant though it may be, is reflected by the kind of literature I keep receiving. Apparently, there are many who believe that Mr. Lozada is speaking the truth. Naturally, they feel incensed by the obnoxious way influence is peddled to corner wasteful and extravagant, not to say useless, contracts. To paraphrase their comments, some of our government leaders are too callous they deserve not to stay a second longer in their otherwise hallowed offices.
Other indicators are more frightening. The students who were the anchor of the first quarter storm against the maligned administration of the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos are more than plain restive. Where they assumed a low profile for a few years, they are back to their vigilance. Their activism is pronounced. I have never seen such big numbers of students in so many diverse activities all aiming to denounce the present administration of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as “the most corrupt”.
Students from the premiere law schools of Metro Manila are the best examples. Preparing for the bar examinations, they would prefer to spend every single minute to pore over their tomes rather than waste hours marching. Yet, what phenomenon are we witnessing? They have decided to come out from their air-conditioned study, and link their arms with their kindred to show to the country their rightful indignation.
The religious constitute another graphic example. More so, in their unity. Let me point out that many denominations have decided to cast aside their own doctrinal differences and agreed to forge a united action. To them, the point of tolerance has been breached. They cannot endure any further misuse, if not abuse, of power by the highest of our officials. This administration has, in some of our religious leaders’ own guarded words, gone so intolerably wild that the only remaining solution for them is to seek the resignation of the president. Very harsh and threatening words.
There are businessmen who are also seen readying to roll their sleeves as my other indicators. What do we know of them? They would rather focus on how to expand their business empires instead of immersing in demonstrations. Then, of course, the leftists cannot be outdone. After all, this is their turf. If for any trivial matter they march, this groundswell of public hate so lies at the center of their cause that they cannot nor should not miss.
With the confluence of these things, the political horizon demands of me to decide which side to cast my lot. And because I know that I find solace for my indignant heart among the ranks of the street demonstrators, at the earliest chance, I shall again rub elbows with them.