September 21---an era that never left

Thirty nine years ago, former strongman Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation 1081 placing the entire Philippines under martial law. That proclamation plunged the country into one of its darkest moments, so dark, that even my parents say, the morning after that proclamation saw the moon partially covered the rising sun. The sun must have been ashamed of what Marcos did that she refused to shine in the Philippines.


Marcos ruled this country for eighteen long years. every single thing changed. new relationships based on some person's single obsession with power were established. Military men felt the power they never had, and civilians cowed in fear as bullets rule reason and one's name became more important than one's rights.


" I have availed this power for one single purpose---to save our Republic and to reform our society", says the Strongman a day after annihilating his enemies and placing the entire country under a state of suspended animation. The strongman unleashed his dogs of war against those who love democracy. While Manilenos suddenly kept their silence, shouts of repression and violence reverberated throughout most parts of the country.


That regime ended shamefully, with the strongman being carried onto a waiting airplane for Hawaii while the rest of the regime's henchmen hid in their bunkers and waited for the initial emotions to die down. A new administration was established. Yet, relationships and practices as old as Martial Law remained. 


Those who sacrificed their lives for democracy remained in the darkest cellars even of the new regime. Some were liberated while others without names remained incognito in some military camp or in Muntinlupa. Victims of the regime remained uncompensated for injuries they sustained for fighting the regime. Even the new administration ruled that those who fought a war against the Strongman would not be compensated for their bravery. 


Now, several names who figured prominently during Martial Law remain as powerful as before. Danding Cojuangco, despite charges filed against him, remains one of the richest and the most powerful men of the country. Roberto Ongpin, trade minister of the strongman, has broken his silence and is now trading once more with banks. Look at every single name in Congress and you'll find them either a stooge or a lapdog of the strongman. 


Yes, the son of the one of the martyrs of the anti-Martial law rules this country like someone holding a joy stick, yet, he remains cooperative with the people who made this country one of the sorriest states in Asia. 


The Filipino People remains in chains. Oil companies which never tried to overcharged the public in fear of Marcos, are now the new overlords. Businesses and businessmen are playing a dangerous game, trying to outplay their competitors by raising prices and never even changing or improving quality. And military and police men refused to believe that civilians rule over the military, as what the Constitution says they must do.


We are still in a state of bondage. Before, one family tried to establish a dynasty. Now, several families rule this country like overlords and big-time feudal lords, exploiting the poor and ingratiating themselves with the Strong. There is still an imbalance in the way things are and relationships remain as feudal and martial as before.


For us to break free from this debilitating condition, a new revolution must be actively pursued, a revolution that would truly liberate us from the shackles of poverty, of oppression and aggression. 


Without this revolution, the likes of the Arroyos will still emerge from a feudalist, neo-capitalist state, abusers will still make their way unto the system.


The destruction of the superstructure is needed and a new breed of Filipinos must emerge from the rut and be servants of the people; sacrifice their lives for the sake of change.


The remains of Martial law should be swept immediately by those who want true change. And it can only be done through active struggle.