People Power 3?

Filipinos celebrated  a few days ago the 22nd People Power Anniversary. Twenty-two years ago, the Filipinos showed to the whole world that they were capable to unite ourselves in order to defend their country from corrupt government leaders. But after these years, do we see the gains of People Power? With the present scandal haunting the Arroyo goverment, there is a clamor to use again People Power to topple her administration. 

Does the Philippines need another People Power to solve the present political crisis affecting our government? This is a question that each Filipino must answer. I would be happy if you can share your stand in my blog. Feel free to comment. As Filipinos, we should voice out our stand. We should say what we think is right for our country. I’ll be happy to read your opinion. Mabuhay ang Pilipino. 

Politics divides

There is so much noise in  the Philippines concerning the National Broadband Network scandal. All sectors have their own ways of seeing this scandal. Those who are for the resignation of president Gloria Macapagal-Arroya say that she has lost her moral power to govern the nation. While those sectors that support her like the Local Government Units express their unwavering loyalty to her. One governor even said that he is willing to offer his life for the president. Other institutions and even individuals have not express yet their stand on the present crisis affecting our country. Perhaps, they have that wait-and-see attitude.

As a concerned Filipino, I can see that if the present crisis is not solve immediately, the one that will suffer most is the Filipino people. The economy is affected. One concrete example is the exchange rate of the peso. It’s getting weaker everyday since the crisis was brought to the limelight. Prices of basic commodities will naturally go up. The poor Filipinos will be the one to suffer most. Another is our image worldwide. The news of what is happening in our country is always in the pages of  newspapers all over the world. We are giving impressions to the whole world that our government is not stable. Perhaps, tourists and businessmen will have second thoughts of going to the Philippines at this point of time.

We don’t really learn from our history. If we look back to the history of our country, too much politics is bad for us. It divides us. We cannot really transcend politics in our life. We make it personal. Family ties and political affiliations are more important to us. We don’t really look at issues seriously. We defend individuals not because of what they have done but because we are close to them. Unless, we change this kind of attitude in our life, the Philippines has no where to go. We will continue to be where we are now – naghihirap at magulo pa rin. 

People Power in the Philippines – Again?

The Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Jaro, His Grace Angel Ladameo, DD, and who is the present president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) calls for a “new brand of People Power” in the midst of the present National Broadband Network project scandal. His statement, he says however,  does not represent the entire membership of the CBCP. The present CBCP stands is “communal action” in facing the present crisis of our country. Communal action simply means “getting together to address the growing concerns affecting our country“.

Is there really an urgent need now for people power? My position is YES. Why? The constitutional process of Impeachment which was filed against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was blocked in the House of Representatives even if there were valid grounds to pursue it. It was killed by pro-administration congressmen whose personal interests were their primary consideration rather than the truth and the welfare of the Filipino people. If the impeachment process was allowed to take its course, perhaps, the Filipino people will have that kind of hope that the rule of law works in our country.  But pro-Arroyo congressmen destroyed this hope. Who else  to be blamed if once again the Filipino people will use the streets to air their grievances  against corrupt officials? 

The present mass actions in the different universities and schools are commendable. The young generation of Filipinos must be involved in the present issues of our country. Their future is at stake. They should not rely anymore on our politicians like Senators Miriam Santiago, Joker Arroyo and Juan Ponce-Enrile. They are concerned in protecting the president of the Philippines and her cohorts rather than doing their job to ferret out the truth of the NBN scandal.  What happened to them? A few years ago, these honorable members of the senate were seen as models for the young people because of their bravery and idealism. Today, however, what is important for them is partisan politics rather than the welfare of the  Philippines and its citizens. 

With all these mess in our present government, the answer is a new “brand of People Power.” Let us support it. Let us pray for it. Let us do it – now!