Ouster of Chief Justice the most peaceful counter-revolutionary action in human history

President Aquino always refer to what he's been doing as "revolutionary". Yes, I would refer these times as revolutionary since during this administration, the following changes occurred:


1. It was during this administration that the contentious issue of Hacienda Luisita was resolved.  This will boost the farmers' legitimate quest for true agrarian reform, something which had eluded them since 1986.


2. All institutions of governance were "shaken" not merely "stirred" like what previous administrations did in treating malfeasance in the bureaucracy. We have now an administration which does not consider social or economic status as a protection against suits when it comes to graft cases. Every single one is fair game. When you commit a crime against the people, when you steal money from the people, expect to be prosecuted. 


The Aquino administration began cleansing the executive bureaucracy by charging those from the previous administration who committed grievous sins against the People. These were charged with crimes and hauled to court. Former president Gloria Arroyo and her bunch of thieves in barong were charged with non-bailable offenses and hauled to court. One by one, these people who enjoyed nine years in power, will now begin serving several years behind bars, as their punishment. Gloria, inspite of her previous status as head of state, remains the prime example of how serious this administration is in its commitment of cleansing the bureaucracy of the filth of the past.


Grafters in government, particularly rent-seekers were charged by the BIR and the Customs of numerous crimes. Yes, there are still several out there committing smuggling activities yet compared with previous administrations, the level of participation of government officials in this illicit activities has been minimized. 


President Aquino was right--the two most feared officials in his cabinet are Justice secretary Leila de Lima and BIR commissioner Kim Henares. These two fine ladies exemplify the kind of public service we so desire since 1986. Henares' and de Lima's resolve are exemplary. They should be emulated. (Let me qualify that of De Lima--she has to correct the decision she did when it comes to the case of that criminal diplomat who raped a Filipina. That is an erroneous decision. She must not be afraid to incur the wrath of a big Filipino businessman who has interests in the ports of the country of the accused. )


The Bureau of Immigration under the able leadership of Commissioner David and Deputy Commissioner Siegfried Mison is undergoing a painful transition from traditional to exemplary. Several people are resisting the reforms being instituted but at the end of the day, these reforms undermine stiff resistence. A new batch of young, idealistic and highly nationalist Immigration Officers will now occupy sensitive posts in the bureau.  


Afterwards, this administration shook the very foundations of the military and the police by initiating those probes against military officials who stole the people's monies or played the role of protecting the previous administration from the people's wrath. Those who were involved in rigging an election and those who got the largesse in the AFP modernization program all got punished. Careers were destroyed, reputations smashed as the government played the biggest cop role it ever did in history.


Congress, as an institution, was also cleansed. Several efforts were made to correct the mistakes of the past. When it comes to misfeasance or malfeasance or abuses in power, Congress right now is very strict or is strictly enforcing the rules of the game. Ilocos sur Congressman Singson lost his post when he was adjudged guilty for possessing illicit drugs in Hongkong. There are other cases which show that indeed, reforms have been instituted even in this institution where the perception is, every one who resides there enjoys the protective cloak of power. With this SALN disclosure call, even the most powerful Congressman could now face jail time. 


3. The successful impeachment of a Chief Justice showed that even this age-old institution like the Judiciary is not safe from revolutionary justice. Prior to Aquino, the judiciary became the stamping authority of those who successfully stole the people's monies and got away with it. This institution was never cleansed when 1986 came. It explains why those who benefitted largely from the excesses of the Marcos dictatorship escaped the sharp fangs of justice. 


Under this Aquino administration, the judiciary was, like all other institutions, underwent a painful and emotional transition. It was thought that the Judiciary would be the last bastion left standing against the reformist administration. IN the past, thieves in barong thought that they would escape jail time even if they steal millions from the people. 


Now, with the Arroyo remnants out of power, the real opportunity now lies before us. There is no need anymore for this administration to declare itself revolutionary---no. 


Its very acts show how revolutionary it could be under the extreme circumstances. This impeachment is the most peaceful counter-revolutionary action in human history. No blood was spilt--only reputations smashed and destroyed for the sake of the revolution.


Now, institutions which remain previously under the control of the previous erring dispensation are now under the control of a revolutionary government. 

It remains to be seen how this administration will now behave seeing that all power have been shaken and configurated in its favor. 

The Misinterpretation of EDSA

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita sums it all up for us--forget EDSA two. " The least we talk about it, the better" says one of the foremost beneficiary of the revolution which swept his boss to power. Ermita says Estrada has been pardoned and it would be best for everyone to forget all about the revolution that made Estrada lose his legitimate position.


It may be a good suggestion, but it shows how these people, especially Mrs. Arroyo misinterpreted EDSA Dos. It was not about Erap. No. It was'nt about his misgovernance, nor his penchant for beautiful, young paramours. No.

EDSA Dos was about regaining the dignity and the respect of the Filipino to themselves. It was about the restoration of our Hiya. The people did not go to the streets to install Mrs. Arroyo. No. We went to EDSA because we felt that something was terribly wrong with the way our leaders behave and how our leaders govern our beloved country.

Yes, partly we were aghast at the graft and corruption of Erap and his gang. Yes, we forgot what would happen to us and our families because we felt that Erap was slowly becoming an Imelda, not a Macoy. He was ostentatious. He was a non-performer. It was all glitz and glamour when the times require serious work. And he was portrayed as an underperformer, worst, without any vision when we need one.

EDSA Dos, for whatever it is worth, is not a revolt against personalities. It was an attempt by the Filipino People to again redefine their future. It was a conscious act to build a society on their own terms, on their own ideas.

EDSA Dos was an attempt to rediscover the essence of being a Filipino. We lost it when we forgot how it is to feel hiya. It was in essence, a rediscovery of our moral values, our ethical foundation.

So, when Mrs. Arroyo and her bunch of lapdogs prevent us from remembering EDSA, they were actually telling us to forget how it is to be Filipinos. They are afraid that if we rediscover our strengths again and regain the will to unite for decency, order, justice and truth, not one second longer will they stay in power.

For those who still feel hiya. For those who still feel decency, never, ever, forget EDSA. Damn those who want us to forget EDSA Dos. We went to EDSA not because of Gloria.

We went to EDSA because we are Filipinos. And we will go to EDSA once again, damn the trucks, the tanks, the truncheons, the water cannons, the arrests, the bullets, even death, because we need to feel being Filipinos, true Pinoys, once again.

Civilian or Military rule?

Why is there a debate on who’s better to rule this country—civilians or the military? Some columnists say that the reason why some people disagree with what happened in 29 November 2007 is the apparent fear of some civil society members on the prospect of military rule. Why will we fear military rule when, for all intents and purposes, civilian rule has proven to be quite ineffective in governance? Also, this debate should not be discussed at this point because it is quite evident that we have’nt yet succeeded in weakening Arroyo.

After the November 29 siege of the Peninsula, momentum has considerably lessened. Like magic, talks about the ZTE, the palace bribery and the rising graft incidence have all but vanished. We don’t see Senators scrambling to initiate the ZTE probe. Nor do we see Cayetano or Escudero hammering Malacanan for a repeat bout. Even the presidentiables, namely Villar, Roxas and Legarda have all clammed up. Why?

The inability of these personalities to finish what they have started in the first place shows their true character. This tendency to grandstand for the sake of their political careers bolster public demands for the abolition of this “hallowed” chamber. Obviously, these senators were asked by the palace not to rock the boat, when, senators should consider the primary interest of the public to know than national security.

Going back, for the past few years, civilians have proven to be quite ineffective in governance. What’s wrong with testing military rule? Those who argue against military rule use the Marcos dictatorship as an example.

The Marcos dictatorship is not, I say, not an argument against military rule. This form of governance was not purely military. It’s a civilian-led dictatorship. Filipinos have not tried military rule. And to write against it at this point is premature.

What groups should need to ask themselves is this— how will they strengthen their ranks in the fight against Arroyo. What are the common tasks and points they need to push this fight to its logical conclusion?

Wittingly or unwittingly, these armchair revolutionaries are allowing themselves to participate in the psywar being done by the ruling clique. By using their time and resources debating on who's better, these groups should instead sit down and strategize. Arroyo is slowly regaining her bearings and it will be just a matter of time before she regains full strength. When that happens, two scenarios are sure to happen: No-elections and continued conjugal dictatorship.

Its time to act rather than talk.