06/11/2010
There was a proclamation of a president and vice president in this country at two in the afternoon the other day. I was neither excited nor interested. Newspaper items about the designer barong the new president picked for his proclamation were woefully reminiscent of Gloria Arroyo’s coronation and her nine-and-a-half years of inglorious fuss over such mundane matters as wardrobe and other frivolities. Even the hullaballoo about where the new supposed president will be residing smacked of a rehash of the “dilemma” the first Aquino had between sleeping at Arlegui or in Malacañang when she was about to assume power in 1986.
The more things change, the more they stay the same — so goes a French saying. But really, as spelled out by this Tribune headline the other day, “RP among world’s most anarchic nations — UK index,” the only thing that stays the same is this country’s dire situation continuously turning for the worse.
The annual GPI (Global Peace Index) of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) ranked the Philippines 130th out of the 149 countries it studied based on 23 indicators, “ranging from military expenditure to relations with neighboring countries and levels of violent crime” and gauging domestic and international conflict, safety and security in society. The Philippines was rated even below Thailand, at 124, despite the latter’s political turmoil; just two notches above Myanmar, at 132, and nine positions above North Korea; and sixth most disorderly in Asia after Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. The Philippines fell 10 notches from its 2009 ranking and was one of five countries with the biggest drop for a year on the index. Furthermore, perceptions of criminality in Philippine society rose to a score of 4, which is defined in terms of “high levels of distrust in other citizens.”
I caught part of the proclamation hoopla as I went into an office where the TV was on, and heard Sen. Nene Pimentel’s speech which drew some cheers and laughter. As I was listening to him, I couldn’t help but recall how these very same Yellow legislators passed the laws that liberalized our economy and destroyed our tariff revenue base; demolished protection for our industries; privatized public utilities; raised consumer taxes; and caused our economy to crumble through the 24 years of the Yellow era.
The newly-proclaimed president has said several times in his interviews with media that one of his major problems is the gaping financial deficit. Yet how he can solve it with the very same economic team — composed of “technoquacks” like “Boy Blue” del Rosario (reported to be the next Finance chief) and Joey “17 percent VAT” Salceda — which created that very problem, from 1986 down to Gloria’s two stolen terms, is one for Ripley’s. As I wrote this, I was told by some who saw the proclamation rites that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada had already expressed President Estrada’s congratulations and concession to the victory of the “New Aquino.” I most certainly do not reflect that view, though I have — and I will say it at the risk of sounding immodest — sacrificed the past 10 years to defend and uphold truth and justice (economic, as well as, political) for and in behalf of the masa of Edsa III and President Erap.
It has to be said that this “New Aquino” and his closest supporters and advisers were the crux of the problem that started in 2001 when they foisted their Edsa II; transgressed upon the rights of all Filipinos and the laws of the land; and imposed a most corrupt political leader in the person of Gloria Arroyo and the policy regime of total liberalization and corporatization of the national economy that has led us to become “one of the world’s most anarchic nations.”
There is no doubt that providence, that inexplicable element in human and historical life, played a great part in denying the destiny of President Estrada and the genuine populist-democratic movement behind him, with which I identify, despite 10 years of honorable sacrifice and indefatigable struggle. First, Cory Aquino and Eraño Manalo died; then the Hocus-PCOS machines lied and changed the equation.
But where is providence really leading us to? Is it a last chance at redemption by the Yellows for their failed 24 years of governance? A last chance, for instance, to redeem the name of a grandfather who has been tagged a “makapili;” and a way to atone for a father and mother’s treason in paving the way for the ultimate loss of Sabah from the Philippines? Or is it a prelude to an ultimate failure overtaking the Yellow era that will allow a genuinely new, nationalist, democratic leadership with a social-market direction to finally triumph?
And so the rah-rah boys of the new regime herald their new government as RP’s “new hope;” but didn’t they say the same about Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos, and Gloria Arroyo?
The only genuine opposition to the prevailing system fronted by the Yellow movement is Edsa III. It must continue projecting its pro-masa crusade while consolidating and developing its forces. The independent media must also strive to aggressively keep their critical faculties alive to help the people overcome the opium of false hope from a false leadership that’s really controlled by the plutocracy. Edsa III must maintain its message, for in the end: It is the substance, not the ritual.
(Tune in to 1098AM, Sulo ng Pilipino, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Destiny Cable Channel 21, Talk News TV — Infowars Edition, on “Hocus-PCOS and Synarchism” with Obet Verzola and Ado Paglinawan, Tuesday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.; also visit http://hermantiulaurel.blogspot.com)
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