By Lester Cavestany, Contributor
INQUIRER.net
IT would always be the same crooks, the same money interests who would take fullest advantage of democracy or any kind of government in the Philippines, while the poor and the brave would always lose out. The batters change in the game of Philippine politics, but the baseball team remains the same and the game remains fixed.
– Ninoy Aquino[1]
As we celebrate the 22nd8th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, it would be good to look back on the wisdom of the man who inspired us to unite as a people and to defend our country against a corrupt government. We are more aware of Ninoy’s oft-quoted, “The Filipino is worth dying for,” but I chose the one above because it is more suitable to our present times.
To fight again another day
After two weeks of excitement about Jun Lozada’s testimony, the opposition has yet to come up with more witnesses and more evidence that will prove the corruption in the Arroyo administration. Even after the show of support that the public has done to encourage more people to come out and testify, no new witness or evidence has appeared.
To be honest, I am a bit confused as to how other leaders can continue to demand for President Arroyo’s resignation when we haven’t even proven anything yet. We are being led to believe that having another People Power Revolution (EDSA III) will solve the problems and issues that our country is facing today. But if we listen to what our great hero Ninoy Aquino said, I hope you will also realize that many of the problems we face today are systemic ones and they can’t be changed by having another EDSA.[2]
Systemic problems need systemic changes
Last week’s Inquirer Opinion-Talk of the Town article, “Poverty reduction: What we know and don’t know,” gives us a concrete example of a systemic problem: the lack of rural development in the Philippines.[3] Nothing much has changed since 1781 when Gov. José de Basco y Vargas introduced commercial farming in the Philippines[4]. Moreover, no authentic land reform has been implemented in our country since the feudal Spanish times. The Americans tried in 1903 when Gov. Gen Howard Taft bought the friar lands in the Philippines from Pope Leo XIII with the intention of reselling it to Filipino peasant-tenants. The good intention never materialized of course, as wealthy Filipino businessmen and politicians (whose descendants still have clout in Philippine society today) stepped in and bought the land and converted them into their private haciendas.[5] And as they say, the rest is history.*
In a country where 70 percent of the population live in rural areas and where 2/3 of the people get their livelihood from agriculture, we must make sure that we have programs that promote genuine rural development. This is just one example, but it is a major one. Other systemic problems include public education, economic development, good governance, population control, environmental sustainability, peace and order, and many others. Other bloggers have also written their issues in Janette Toral’s Important Issues on Philippines 2010.
Of course somewhere in the wish list for political reform, you will also find fighting graft and corruption. But I hope we can all see that it is a small piece of the puzzle. In my personal opinion, we cannot call for President Arroyo’s resignation unless we have court-admissible evidence against her. Just because some opposition leaders are trying to convince us that President Arroyo is corrupt doesn’t mean we all have to believe it. The opposition leaders bear the burden of evidence. I say to them, Show us proof! Stop using us as your pawns! Stop using the court of public opinion to gain the upper hand. Take your accusations to the court of law and let your evidence, if you have any, speak for itself. And speaking of evidence, what proof or track records have you got to show the public that if you replace the present administration, you will do a far better job than President Arroyo’s government in addressing our systemic problems.[6]
Happy 22nd8th People Power anniversary!
In light of the lack of evidence plus the personal and social troubles that this J-Lo fiasco has caused, I believe that it might be best to set aside our calls for a change in the government and perhaps we should concentrate more on asking for changes in the government and in our country. Unless we are presented with new witnesses or new evidence in the ongoing political raucity, we, the Filipino people, should join the rallies and demonstrations with more focus on the the public outcry for truth and social reforms. I, for one, would love to join in!
And so from here in Hanoi, I would like say “Happy 22nd8th People Power Anniversary!” to all my kababayans in the Philippines and around the world.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!
=== Notes:[1] The Martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino Revisited, Joker P Arroyo
[2] Systemic problems have been with us even before the presidency of Pres Arroyo; even before 1565 when Spaniards who left from Mexico led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in Cebu; and even before 1521 when Magellan claimed our archipelagic country for Spain and called it Las Islas de San Lazaro. [3] “Poverty reduction: What we know and don’t know,” By Arsenio M. Balisacan
Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16 Feb 2008
[4] In Search of Southeast Asia: A Modern History. David P. Chandler, William R. Roff, John R. W. Smail, David Joel Steinberg Robert H. Taylor, Alexander Woodside, David K. Wyatt, David Joel Steinberg. Allen & Unwin. Sydney, N.S.W. 1971 [5] The US Congress passed the Cooper, or Organic, Act of 1902, which authorized the American commission to sell Philippine government bonds to finance purchase of the friar lands in the Philippines from the Vatican — Bound to Empire: The United States and the Philippines. H. W. Brands. Oxford University Press, New York. 1992. * Atty. Ma. Gracia Rinoza Plazo has recently started an online forum to discuss agrarian reform issues. Please join the discussion and share your inputs. [6] Mom knows best! My Mama wrote a comment in my post, Sundin ang Utos ni Supremo. Also posted in www.lestercavestany.com
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February 27th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
KAY POGITO,
Ei man dont underestimate the power of prayer. Praying is not only for HOLY people it is needed most by the wicked to have a contrite heart, to heal their afflicted spirit and strengthen their faith to God. No matter how bad the people are they need to pray unceasingly to free themselves from all diabolical influences by the opposition.
let us pray for all the opposition that they may turn away from thier evil tactics and stop frying innocent people to revolt against this legitimate goverment( legitimate as far as no evidence of cheating has been proven by the legitimate court and not kangaroo court set by Guingona and his cohorts).
I am glad that 55 out of 103 bishop who attended the recent biennial plenary meeting came up with the right discerment on the real issues and not simply swayed by the negative innuendos and false accusation that has been continously rehash agaisnt Gloria Arroyo.
However, May i request to the envoy of the Holy See Cardinal Adams to suspend the three Bishops namely: Orcas Cruz, Labayen, Inuegues for their partisanhip and misleading the faithful on real issue confronting the nation ; for showing inclination towards their favored group and biases towards their percieved opponent which is unbecoming of a men of cloth. They can never be be an effective vanguard of social justice nor capable of bringing back the misguided people to the church for they themselves sank to all these political quagmire.
let all natiion pray to the almighty to give us once again a true LEADER that can lead us to prosperity.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
The opposition during Erap’s Administration are considered credible while the OPPOSITION during GMA’s time especially the Senators I can say are all INCREDIBLE. They will not stop a single moment to gather an opportunity to kick out GMA from her position. They are really salivating to get rid of her in order to recover their previous lives before GMA. In all the Senate’s Investigation they are conducting, they are always engaged in fishing expedition to create lots of allegations and accusations against GMA and her Administration to convince the Filipinos to kick out GMA so they can take over. What a waste for money, time and effort in engaging series of Senate Investigations in aid of legislation without result/s. I don’t remember any law they have enacted even during the time of Lamitan Siege. The Opposition during the time of Erap’s Impeachment were able to gather and made use the solid evidences such that Sandiganbayan convicted Erap as the biggest Plunderer in the history of the Philippines. I don’t say that GMA is corrupt free but accuse her with all the back up evedences that will allow similar conviction to be done as when Erap was indicted and not by mere allegations. Let’s stop once and for all this negative development currently experienced by our country and focus the efforts to improve the economy. Let’s be sensible.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Sabi nga nila “it takes two to Tango”. Bakit corrupt ang ‘Pinas? Corrupt, dahil this is the common life of some persons working in the government. Corrupt, because the citizens allowed it to happen whenever they have business dealings in any government office. The Filipinos always want short cut in any documentary application in various government offices and willing to shoulder a fee to obtain the document at the time they want. The amount depends on the degree of the usefulness of the document. As long as we have this kind of attitude, corruptions can never be eradicated. It should start from within ourselves by not submitting to any form of corruptions whenever we deal with any government offices. Let’s avoid shortcut. Corruption is an established system in any public office that can not be removed overnight. WE NEED TO ACT NOW.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
What happen to the separation of Church and State. Whenever there is political turmoil in the country the CBCP and the catholic leaders are one of the most vocal and their press release is something not to ignore. We filipinos need to have an independent and competent mind not relying on some same colonial institution who taught us to be emotionally weak. Filipinos should be strong and competent to get rid of their corrupt elected official. Jun lozada is no saint whistleblower he has blood money in his hand, he is asking the catholic church to washed it, but no matter what it bleed out. He is part of the conspiracy of Malacanang, the Senate and congress and other powerful people behind the scene.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I am happy that CBCP is not supporting the oust of GMA. GOD must be with them when they had their emergency meeting last night. I salute the officers of the CBCP at least they realized that by partipating for GMA’s resignation, the power grabbers of the opposition will used them and benefit from it. Kaya tama yan wag kayong pagamit sa mga “trapo” na nagkalat diyan sa Senado ngayon. I am very sad for LA Salle Brothers becasuse they let themselves used by the likes of Lacson to destabilized our country. They are running prestigeous universities in our country and I am just disappointed on how they think and become bad educators. I am suddenly questioning their schools Mission and Vission for this matter. I was confused why they supported Lozada ” Pokwang” based on hearsay and rumor.
They are all selfish and campaigning for 2010. Our economy is getting stronger in GMA’s administration why stop it? Let us move forward and never let our economy down again, we have already regain after ERap’s term so why waste our time and taxes in just hearsay issues?
Its really obvious that Jun “Pokwang” Lozada is being used by the opposition to create chaos and trouble because they cant wait for 2010. To those who are obviously eyeing for the “Presidency” STOP campaigning and wait till 2010 pwede?
To Erap: Have some respect for yourself …you have the GUTS to tell Gloria to step down and you are in the number 10 spot for ” The World’s Ten Most Corrupt Leaders” ?????? Magtira ka naman ng konting kahihiyan sa sarili mo pati na mga anak at mga kakosa mong mga walang kwentang oposisyon.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0921295.html
To the CBCP: Keep up the Good Work and continue to be God’s Blessings in this troubled nation. We dont need any “People Power” at all. We are for Progress and PEACE…….