Looking back

As my last column for the year (and, come to think of it, for the decade), I thought it appropriate to assess the passing year. Just like previous years, 2009 will turn out to be a mixed bag of good and bad, happy and sad — events that can make one’s spirit soar or drive one to anguish but which, in totality, shape the tapestry of our earthly journey into a more interesting weave.

On the business front, things were looking pretty dim as we were beginning the year. The global financial crisis which started in the United States was creeping through the more developed economies in Europe and Asia and threatening the less developed ones. As it turned out, however, the brunt was felt by the so-called first world nations and third world countries such as ours were largely spared from the contagion. It was the revenge of the “thirds”. I read somewhere that the Philippines and Papua New Guinea were the least affected by the global meltdown. Attribute that to consummate skill or plain luck, we should consider ourselves fortunate. I dare say that the country has the right ingredients for an economic take off in 2010.

But while the country was able to escape the full impact of the economic crisis, it did not fare as well against the elements — we faced the wrath of back to back weather disturbances. Ondoy was a sleeper whose strength was underestimated by our weather forecasters as it unexpectedly dumped an inordinate amount of rain in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. And even with the warnings, Pepeng still wrought extensive damage albeit in the Northern Luzon area. And lurking in the horizon is the rumbling volcano of Mayon. We continue to hope against hope that it will end in a whimper and not with a bang.

Amidst the destruction, however, the indomitable and resilient Filipino spirit continues to shine. In situations where government resources were stretched to the limit, various private sector groups stepped up to the plate. These brigades of angels proved that the age old tradition of bayanihan is alive and well.

We also continue to suffer from self-inflicted wounds. Our election season is off to a rocky start. In the rough and tumble world of Philippine politics, a lot of leeway is allowed for election shenanigans but the Maguin-danao massacre displayed a meanness never seen before. I hope that this is not a foreboding of things to come in the future.

Our peoples’ champ, Manny Pacquiao, continued to lift our sagging spirits particularly when the natural and human made calamities brought them down. His convincing wins against Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto not only showed professional prowess; it proved to the doubting Filipino that he can compete and triumph in the world stage. CNN’s Hero of the Year Efren Penaflorida accomplished the same task albeit outside the sports arena. While he may have inadvertently washed the dirty linen of the sorry state of our educational system in full view of the whole world, his story of overcoming poverty and personal tragedy and proactively seeking solutions to his community’s problems would, in any language, constitute heroism.

Of course, 2009 is the year we lost our nation’s conscience and icon of democracy, Corazon Aquino. Because of her seeming inability to rally the people to support her causes during the last few years of her life, commentators remarked that she was a political “has been” who had had lost her “EDSA magic.” To the surprise of her detractors, she did an “El Cid” for in her death she became larger than life. Like prodigal children, multitudes of Filipinos patiently trooped past her coffin and silently lined up along the funeral route not only to say thank you and bid goodbye but to renew their vows against corruption and abusive government. It was a political de ja vu of sorts circa 1983. And in the same way that she inherited the mantle of leadership then, the torch (and it would seem the magic) has now been passed to her only son.

Indeed, President Cory’s passing on was a political game changer. Senator Noynoy Aquino was not, before August 2009, considered presidential timber. But in an election where change seems to be the overriding theme, he may be the right person at the right place who came in at the right time. Perceived by many as having inherited the mother’s traits of decency and honesty, he is currently the tallest tree in the candidates’ forest. As to whether that will continue remains to be seen. A lot of chopping can and will still happen before May 2010. But this much is clear at this point — that the son has also risen.

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Judicial flip flops: I cannot let this week pass without commenting on the recent Supreme Court decision overturning on second motion for reconsideration its earlier decision regarding the Cityhood laws passed by the 11th Congress. This decision comes in the heels of the Penera case where the Court also reversed itself on the issue of premature campaigning.

At the outset, let me state that I have not read the entire decision nor am I privy to the factual antecedents of the case. Hence I am not prepared to comment on the merits of the case. What I wish to highlight though is the need for judicial stability. Let me provide my four centavos on the matter.

First, you can count with your left hand the number of times the Supreme Court reversed itself on a second motion for reconsideration. This is not surprising because its rules prohibit the filing of such second motion. If the ultimate guardian of our rule of law violates its own rules, then “Houston, we have a problem.” Second, the High Court is a continuing body and just because the composition changes does not mean that jurisprudence should also change. After all, the law is pretty much an objective science. Third, while its decisions are not cast in stone, you would expect that the Court would not change its mind easily. It gives the impression that decisions are arrived at hastily. To reverse itself in a matter of weeks or months does not inspire judicial confidence. Fourth, kudos to former Harvard Club president Estelito Mendoza for cementing his reputation as the lawyer of last resort.

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My fervent wish for each is a new year of peace and happiness. God bless us everyone!

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“Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne?

We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,

For auld lang syne.”

                 — Robert Burns

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