Filipinos need a Rizal for political ‘reset’

The situation is ripe for regime change. Filipinos are fed up with P1.7-trillion fake flood works and other plunders. Investigations are going nowhere. The system is rotten to the core.

Retired generals, bishops, professionals and youth have linked arms. Plans are being fleshed out and dates set. Protest actions will escalate.

All elements are ready – almost. Only one item remains missing: who is to lead? Around whom shall people rally for change?

Once that’s settled, people will press “reset.”

The charismatic role of that Rizal is pivotal. History proves it.

Filipinos couldn’t have staged La Revolucion without Jose Rizal. The passwords “Anak ng Bayan” and “Gomburza” were used to join the lowest and middle ranks of the Katipunan. “Rizal” was the codename for the highest echelon.

Rizal disapproved of insurrection unless sufficient arms were stockpiled. Still, Katipuneros sparked the Cry of Pugad Lawin on Aug. 26, 1896, then four days later attempted in vain to take El Polvorin, the Spanish gunpowder bodega at San Juan del Monte.

Five thousand Filipinos were massacred during and up to two weeks thereafter. Though in Dapitan exile, Rizal was blamed for the unrest and executed at Bagumbayan at year-end. A year and a half later, the Katipunan declared independence in Kawit.

On Aug. 21, 1983, hitmen of the Marcos dictatorship slew Ninoy Aquino. That further enraged Filipinos. Two and a half years later, they swept Ninoy’s widow Cory to power.

A new Constitution was unfurled in February 1987. But it only restored the old order. Bureaucratic corruption, political dynasties and farcical elections took deeper root.

Today people are saying everyone must go. All politicos. All top bureaucrats. Even the courts can no longer be trusted for justice.

But Filipinos can’t seem to unite. There’s no Rizal to rally around.

For that, the two main factions of the political elite are lucky. They can afford to plot against each other – to prolong their stay in power.

The protest movement is as factionalized. Last Sept. 21, anniversary of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s hated martial law, disgruntled folk staged two huge demonstrations in Metro Manila. At the core of “Baha sa Luneta” were the “progressives.” In the “Trillion-Peso March” at the stretch of EDSA from the Shrine to the People Power Monument were the “moderates.”

Organizers claimed that their separate events were complementary. But press releases somehow explained their disunity:

• Bayan chairman Teddy Casiño warned against “vested interests” who call for the removal of either President Bongbong Marcos or VP Sara Duterte.

• Akbayan rep Perci Cendaña said that calling for Marcos’ removal will benefit Duterte, or the other way around.

• Anakbayan head Mhing Gomez wanted “no compromises – more than the removal of both Marcos and Duterte, it’s the system that must be changed.”

Protests gain self-momentum. Bigger rallies – again at different places are set on Nov. 30, Bonifacio Day. Daily Catholic masses pray for national redemption because people are “drowning in a sea of corruption.” Noise barrages and pocket marches are held nationwide Fridays.

World leaders have taken notice. The Korean president has withheld loans to crooked Philippine government projects. The US State Department criticized the Philippine Bureau of Customs for extortionate policies that dismay American investors.

The smell of turmoil is in the air. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner disclosed Oct. 4 that three retired generals associated with Duterte tried to pressure him into withdrawing support from commander-in-chief BBM. A planeload of US intelligence analysts and operatives came and left late October.

Cardinal Pablo David urges Filipinos to replicate the Sept. 21 protests on Nov. 30. He also asks BBM to convene a Truth Commission on extrajudicial killings during the tenure of predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. Cardinal Jose Advincula agrees.

Catholic Bishops Colin Bagaforo, Gerry Alminaza, Roberto Gaa and Antonio Tobias will lead the EDSA event. With them are Evangelical Bishops Efraim Tendero and Noel Pantoja. Also a hundred retired generals and colonels from Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan.

Bayan will hold its event at Liwasang Bonifacio.

Not to be left out is Iglesia ni Cristo, which will hold a three-day “rally for accountability” at Luneta on Nov. 16-18. This is seen as pro-Duterte. Last Jan. 12 also at Luneta, INC protested VP Sara’s impeachment.

Rep. Eddie Villanueva’s Jesus is Lord might join INC, Black-and-White Movement leader Vicente Romano posted online. “It’s to save Villanueva’s son Senator Joel” who’s implicated in the flood works scandal, Romano said. Also expected is Kingdom of Jesus Christ, whose founder Apollo Quiboloy, Rody Duterte’s spiritual adviser, is detained on charges of human trafficking and sex offenses on minors.

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