Looking back

Twenty nine years ago today, February 23, 2015, the massive gathering of people at EDSA heeding the call of Jaime Cardinal Sin to prevent violence between the Armed Forces loyal to Marcos and those plotting his ouster, began to swell. As the crowds grew bigger our family decided to pitch a pup tent at the traffic island near Gate 3 of Camp Aguinaldo. We thought that we should put up some sort of a “headquarter” manned by my wife Josie and the two young kids, to monitor the movements of our three teenage sons who were with their schoolmates located at several strategic points. The tent also served the resting and eating place not only of our family but also of friends and acquaintances who happened to pass by and who needed rest and replenishment.

At that time we believed that there would be no quick denouement to the on-going massive street demonstration and we were so uncertain about what would eventually happen to it especially considering that Cory Aquino who actually served as the main catalyst for the uprising, was not in EDSA and was reported to be in Cebu. But obviously because of the Filipinos’ exceptionally strong faith in God and lots of prayers for our Blessed Mother Mary’s intercession, a “miracle” happened two days later when Marcos and his family fled to Hawaii. Indeed because of that successful non-violent people power revolution a shrine has been built at EDSA to honor our Blessed Mother, the patroness of our country.

Right after that euphoric event, there were lots of rejoicing and expectations that finally we will have the much longed for changes in our government and “never again” shall we allow the same kind of rapacious, corrupt and greedy regime to be back. But twenty nine years later, as we are about to commemorate that momentous people power non-violent revolution of 1986, it seems that we are back to square one. We are now on the verge of staging another people power non-violent revolution to oust the incumbent President or force him to step down. But this time it is not only because of corruption and greed of those holding power but because of their incapacity and incompetency. The irony of it all is that the subject of our present discontent is the very scion of the “icon of democracy” that inspired us to stage the 1986 people power non-violent revolution. What went wrong during the past twenty nine years? Why are we again on the verge of staging another uprising?

To answer these questions let me just cite the email I received from one of our readers who seems to be well versed in our country’s past history as he was apparently in the midst of everything that occurred in the past. Introducing himself as Narciso “Amigo” Nombre, he made these “historical observations and honest comments” about what happened after EDSA I (condensed and edited for lack of space).

“The revolutionary government of Corazon Aquino was a disaster replete with endless attempts to unseat her by coup, instigated by no less than the henchman of his appointed close-in ally during the People Power Revolt. Her appointed officers in charge in various government positions backslide to their old incompetent and corrupt wicked ways. Her reign put the country in semidarkness causing the closure of many manufacturing companies and mass layoff of a multitude of factory workers.

The election of Fidel Valdez Ramos as our 12th president succeeding the messy Corazon Aquino presidency gave us a respite from mismanagement by the men and women who run the country like hell by giving us light and a GDP of 5.5% of inclusive growth felt by the masses and increased flow of foreign investments, giving the country a brief lull. Brief indeed but a lull none the less, for what followed was the presidency of Joseph” Erap” Estrada whose presidency was highly envied by the elite, intellectuals, and some business cliques who were dumbfounded in disbelief that a high school graduate had bested and beaten them to the country’s presidency. And so they planned that their Rook who was then sitting as Vice President will become a Queen. This plan indeed materialized and so a government run like hell was once again brought down upon us for another miserable nine years.

Death was the vehicle and harbinger whereupon the two Aquinos rode to capture the Philippine presidency. Cory Aquino by Ninoy’s death and the second Aquino by Cory’s death. Death as vehicle to attain power, appears not to be a good talisman for a successful presidency as ominous natural apocalyptic calamities, coups and mass protests rode in tandem with both the Aquino presidencies.

The second Aquino despite his “tuwid na daan” and incarceration of rogue and corrupt senators and congressmen was selective as he excluded political allies, and entrenched even more the “pork barrel syndrome.” He turned out to be a lousy insensitive heartless president, and is now on the verge of being impeached, kicked out of office or incarcerated for another massacre or for conspiracy in approving a National Budget riddled with “errata” to circumvent the law and pirate government funds by lump sum appropriation outside the General Appropriation Act (GAA). He is also perceived as a traitor for negotiating peace with a bunch of Muslim terrorists or for surrendering our territorial sovereignty and giving 80 billion pesos to the murderous MILF and BIFF brigands.      

So now the electorate should know and discern that presidential aspirants who did not come from the old money or had not inherited their financial assets but amassed them from their political positions or influence will never be an honest and effective president. Marcos and Imelda were under this category, likewise Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who was a daughter of that Poor Boy from Lubao Pampanga. Vice President Jejomar Binay is likewise a standout in this category. He did not come from an old money but he is an astute politician and smart operator. From Officer in Charge of Makati City Mayor appointed by Cory, he stuck to that position like glue together with all the members of his family.

The inherent bad characteristics of these public servants are that they have a chilling insatiable craving for money, wealth and power after having tasted some. Knowing this, the electorate should now discern if VP Jojo Binay or other known aspirants should be trusted with the Presidency of our land. Perhaps a Dick Gordon-Grace Poe tandem for 2016 would be a good alternative for the country to be relieved from a government ran like hell.”

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