Generals’ game remains the same
The military tempted by the influence of politics has always been behind major crossroads in the nation’s history. How they are perceived in historical accounts can be found in the difference that lies mainly in victory or defeat. When the 1986 People Power revolt took place, the turning point came when the military led by then Philippine Constabulary Gen. Fidel V. Ramos and then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile shifted their alliance to the forces opposing former President Ferdinand Marcos. Ramos, Enrile and the soldiers then were hailed as heroes. In 2004, when then Vice President Gloria Arroyo usurped the power and position of the democratically-elected former President Joseph Estrada, it was again the generals playing politics that made Arroyo and the civil society later to be known as the evil society which forces are mostly now supporting the Aquino administration, succeeded in the highly unconstitutional power grab that was moreover disgracefully legitimized by the then Chief Justice of the high court. The Supreme Court justices were part of the conspiracy to overthrow Estrada and those who participated in the unconstitutional act were never prosecuted but were instead mostly rewarded with lives of comfort and wealth during Arroyo’s nine years of plunder. In contrast, soldiers who took part in the many failed mutinies of the past were called traitors and suffered incarcerations. The premise, thus, is that the military is so easily seduced by the glare of politics and politicians are all too willing to lure them into whatever political ends they may have.... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100806com1.html |
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