I could not feel any sympathy to the former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to whom is now practicing every possibility of evading her crimes, and worst turning her lawyers as the best (spin) doctors to keep her from tasting the “cold bars” of jail for her to answer the crimes she committed against the Filipino people while being in office as President of the Philippine Republic for nine years.

I also cannot avoid to be dismayed and yes outrage for the zarzuela being shown to us by the government, the court as well the press in bringing about the case of “house arrest”, “hospital arrest” and other technical jargons just to avoid her of being put behind bars, like the usual procedures done to any suspect of any crime.

Arroyo, being the former President of the Republic does not deserve the luxury of being considered a VIP for her crimes. Not only that she betrayed the people who have stood their grounds against the corrupt presidency of former Pres. Joseph Estrada that pave way to her ascension to power during EDSA 2, but also steals the presidency during 2004 elections.

Politically, Arroyo has been rejected by the people that paved way for the election of opposition senators in 2007 and again the rejection of the people for her anointed candidates in 2010 election.

In economy, being the so-called economic expert that is schooled in the US prestigious universities, Arroyo has brought havoc to the economic conditions of the people by blindly following the mantra of neo-liberalization that not only dwarf the capability of the business owned by Filipinos to compete against foreign investors it also resulted to massive unemployment and the highest rate of poverty among the underprivileged sectors of society.

Arroyo, is worst than Marcos when it comes to human rights violations. Under her term, thousands of activists has been recorded missing, killed, harassed and tagged as enemy of the states under the auspices of the AFP counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya.

Based on the records of Karapatan, for the first half of 2009, there has been 34 victims of extrajudicial killings. From January 21, 2001 to June 30, 2009, the victims of extrajudicial killings have reached to 1,032, victims of enforced disappearance at 202. Meanwhile, the use of abduction rather than to arrest has also intensified. In 2010, 20 victims have been abducted bringing the total victims to 521.

Arroyo governance is proven for its incompetence, and brazenly commits plunder of the people’s money and the tolerance of corruption that affected the lives of Filipinos that should have receive the services from the government that instead goes to the pocket of the few individuals in office.

I am outrage, that as a son of a former detainee, and later the first victim of extrajudicial killing under this new administration, we still need to look for justice. Yet our hopes are being tested when we saw on TV, read on newspaper, and heard on radio that those in power, the influential people in the upper echelons of the society can easily circumvent the justice system in their favor, when those arrested for trump charges will suffer.

My father was jailed twice in 1993 and 2004 for trump charges. All trump up cases that was filed by the military and the police has been dismissed but it took years and later months for him to get out of jail. His coco-lumber business suffered and our limited finances drained in order to support his incarceration.

Arroyo, and many others can easily evade justice with the use of their influence and money, while the innocent that are only fighting for their principles and beliefs can easily be detained and charged with all the crimes in the book without proper investigation.

We have already seen many cases that the justice system is always blind to those who cannot afford to hire a battery of lawyers, to those whose income is enough for their daily subsistence and cannot even afford to visit their relatives who were jailed for petty crimes and prisoners who has been waiting for years for the prosecutor to hear their case.

Justice is swift to those who dare to violate the law, when they are incapable of bribing another judge, another prosecutor; to look for the witnesses themselves instead being done by the law enforcement agencies.

I also felt insulted when the government with all its mighty powers can also listen to the stupidity of reasoning’s that even a highschool student can understand, that there is no such thing as equal in the eyes of the law since the system we have has been corrupted for so long, and the reality that sometimes justice can only be dispensed in other manner because of the impossibility of achieving at the present.

*Photo courtesy of Kilusan.Net

Reality strikes when time comes we need someone to look up to when we dream of something big or small. If you can’t find one that is in the list of dead heroes in your list, I think it’s normal to dream to expect something supernatural will come to save the day.

My fictional hero when I was young and until now is Wolverine. He lost his mind while being subjected to scientific experiment of his uncanny abilities. He can heal himself when his wounded and will go berserk when he’s mad. He doesn’t need health insurance and hates the authority when he sees something amiss.

Few of us like Wolverine. Many have been dumbfounded by SpongeBob, many has been crying their hearts out watching Korean telenovelas and has been attached to the visual plot of love triangle, Cinderella type Pinoy’s soap operas.

Many have given attention to the fact that 1 peso coin is now equivalent to the 1 cent Lapu-lapu when I was young and yes, they complain but they are not doing anything. When the price of rice is no longer within the reach for their day’s earning life seems to be remain the same.

They eager to watch the trilogy of Ramgen, Pacquiao and Naruto-like Gloria that dominates their TV every evening and were the ones hopeful to be the next lucky winner of Lotto, Will Time Big Time, Eat Bulaga and Happy yepee yehey.

They failed to realize that tomorrow another price increase on oil will again decrease the value of their hard-earned piso; the expensive fare to work, the price of galunggong will also follow the rhythm of increases. They are eager instead to know why Kris broke up with James, and why Kris brother Noynoy remains a bachelor.

They failed to ask themselves where is the “matuwid na daan” when the corrupt former president can still grab the headlines of being in house arrest and the government wondering the best way to make her answer he crimes when a theft that steal a bread for his family will be brought straight to jail and awaits years of being behind bars without seeing a judge to see his case.

They still don’t dare that Congress is proposing to tax again the people to earn money for the government when they has been suffering for very low wages, no security of tenure, and the anti-labor policies that has been a burden to them. But the likes of Lucio Tan are still smiles despite of billions of pesos of unpaid taxes that when properly accounted for by the government is enough to solve the deficit.

They don’t give a damn when drivers complaint of high oil prices, and scorns the latter instead when they go gaga conducting their transport strikes when in fact that the government should have at least reprimand the oil companies to minimize their greed for profit.

They clap their hands when the government official’s smiles and nods with Clinton, when on our own soil we need to ratify an unfair military agreement beneath a foreign military warship instead of our own government office. A little respect for our country’s sovereignty is disregarded since we have been a loyal puppet to that Great American Empire for decades.

We failed to shed a tear or express our disgust when urban poor houses are being demolished; the farmer killed in the decade long struggle in Hacienda Luisita. They are lazy you say, without reading your own history books why urban poor’s who were once farmers flocked to the cities and why farmers who were just fighting for their right to till the land were being hunted like bandits.

We no longer know why Andres Bonifacio was called a supremo, and why illustrados lead by Aguinaldo killed him, since we were enthralled with the love story of Jose Rizal but still falls short of knowing why they have died for our land.
The apathy and ignorance we suffer from day to day is a common tragic occurrence. We tend to believe the lies instead of seeking the truth. We tend to remain on a distant, and stand to be neutral. When we will realize that doing nothing with injustice and oppression put us on the position of favoring it without knowing.

We tend to claim that we don’t like politics since we always says that stomach comes first. But when you look for something to feed you will realize that those who govern you and those has been enjoying perks of the government policies has been eating the biggest share of your country’s wealth and resources at the expense of your children and your descendants.

Until when will you realize that the neighbor you have been calling radical has been right all along. Because he have the guts to face the people who has installed the system that begets the injustice and oppression.

Until when the people believe in fiction, supernatural and superheroes. When will they dare to rediscover their history books and know that the forefathers cause remains valid and the enemy they fought and shed their blood with remains a bigger foe until today?

Photo By Charlotte Despuez/Arkibong Bayan

Activist are called street parliamentarian. That is enough to say they conduct speeches, present he people’s agenda to the streets because they were not represented in the both house of Congress.

The national democratic (ND) Left that was born in the 1960s due to internal crisis in politics and economy and also with the influence on the resurgence of rebellions and revolutions in Asia and elsewhere.
It poses alternative agenda on the issue of land, wages, education, freedom of speech and assembly, human rights and many things that during the Dark Days of Martial Law, presenting it to the lawmakers and asking them to act on it would be taboo.

Now in 2001, when the party-list system was introduced in 1998, the downtrodden, the oppressed, the peasant, workers, women, youth, indigenous people etc. saw the opportunity of having their own representatives in Congress.

Bayan Muna (People’s First) won an astounding victory in its first entry to electoral politics. Its membership and leadership is composed of people identified with the Left (read: ND).

For the first time, the people had a chance for their issues to be heard at the halls of Batasang Pambansa where for decades has been ruled by the representatives of the rich and famous.

They have made their words into action in direct challenge to those who claim activist are just a nuisance in the society, they were the very people who pretend to know the problems of the country but are not doing anything to solve it or at least participate in solving it.

Afterwards, more partylist were voted by the people such as Anakpawis, Gabriela, and later on Act Teachers, and Kabataan.

Despite being considered as a secondary citizen congressman and woman, these activist solons has regularly submitted various House Bills and resolutions that are aimed to protect the interest of the many, defend our country’s sovereignty and patrimony but because Congress remains the halls of the elite most of it were not passed. They were also at the forefront of exposing various anomalies in the government. After all they were elected to represent the people, and representing them to the Congress is what they do.

The difference between these parties, unlike other party-list organizations who were established at the time of elections and can no longer be found by their constituents after winning, they remain closely link with the people. You can never see a Congressman like them that will be always seen and speaking at rallies, being bombarded by water cannon during dispersal’s and going to far-flung community to hear the grievances of people and bring them to the Halls of Congress for its needed actions.

Persecution

It is recorded in the History that the Left won few seat in the Congress after the World War II when our country was a United State colonial state, but instead of letting them do they work, allowing them to represent their people they were accused of rebellion and expelled in an effort to stop them from voting against various one-sided agreement that favors the US when the call for granting independence to the Philippines was strong.

Essentially, after the so-called Independence on July 4, 1946, because of pressures from the US, the Philippine economy, politics, military has been subservient to the dictates of the former colony master.

Now after the Left entered politics, despite pronouncements by the government to let them into the fold, its membership were hunted, killed, accused of trumped up charges and branded as communist or their sympathizers.

It is also important to note that although some of the members of the Left were former rebels, they were no longer been combatants. BUt most of the membership were ordinary civilians only with different belief. However, just because they are considered communist (just because they espouse socialist ideals) whether they in plain view civilians, the state forces (whom repeatedly denies despite evidence of their crimes are presented on broad daylight) want to silence these people, and even the lawmakers in Congress were charged in a vain attempt to oust them (again) from the halls of the elite Congress.

These actions against the left are alarming. A state of terror is being presented by the state to quell any forms of dissent without formally declaring a Martial Law. Despite being a signatory in various Human Rights Agreement, the state forces as well as the government itself takes no action in killing the members of the progressive partylist, and evidence shows that cover up are even being done in investigating the crime to allow perpetrators to be off the hook.

Never Daunted

As I understand in books I read as well as news I read over the internet, shows that repression against the progressives only shows the desperation of a state since it can no longer afford to give empty promises as well as conduct reform to give a breathing space for the poor in the worsening economic crisis brought about by oppressive policies.

The left has presented a sounder agenda that will benefit the less-privilege; programs of government that will satisfy the need for equal distribution of country’s resources as well as make the country progressive and develop that can be at par with the developing nations.

It presents a more independent and fair foreign policy, whom we can choose any country to be our partner regardless of ideology and political system they espouse without being bullied and instead respected.

The persecution also shows that the Left is being embraced by people because it demonstrate that for the first time, these lawmakers represent their concerns and are being demonized and killed because of the people’s cause.

It is only a mater of time, that people will realize and will fought for the necessity in overhauling the corrupt and decadent system that we have today and put their own representatives to the halls of Congress, elect their own president that represent their interest.

In the world of lies, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. (Crass, 1984)

We have just witness the zarzuela of the local elections in the country, when the Filipinos voted for their barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials that is months after the national and local synchronized elections held in May 2010.

Aspiring and incumbent politicians have been busy preparing, organizing and reaching out even to the far-flung barangays to ensure their respective votes and are trying to win their aspired posts. The winners were proclaimed, while the losers admitted their defeat hardly and some accused of being cheated, after elections, then what?

Many politicians now are trying to catch the affection and support of the masses. Even today, many go to places to visit their families, friends and many people to highlight their visibility. As it is a common line heard during election time, they say they are for the welfare of the poor and needy, or their platforms of governance will save the trailing economy, food on the table, job security, etc., but with those promises often used what among those were answered?

Our country’s economy is bankrupt, political bickering among the national and local politicians is a predicament, peace and order is at its worst, poverty is worsening and the common people can no longer appreciate the government’s programs and actions that mostly are detrimental to the sake of the majority of the peasants and workers that comprises the 80% of the Filipino people. With this situation, many will really grab the every opportunity for the temporary release of every day’s hardship by accepting bribes and money to buy their votes. But we cannot blame them. They suffer for so long and it’s their only recourse. The sad part is, the politicians are exploiting this situation for whose profit? You already know the answer.

Many promises have been brought through speeches, paid advertisements, leaflets and the like to promote politicians aim to garner the favor the masses. But with those promises, especially to those who will win the race, turn their backs to the people to whom they owe their positions. Such reality exists, though it is painful to accept.

Who among them have the sound economic, political, and social policies and programs to address the basic needs and demands of the common tao? Who among them, have tried to increase the salaries of the workers on private enterprises and public entities, implement the genuine land reform, stop demolitions among urban poor communities and give them affordable and decent housing?

Who among the technocrats and capitalist educators whom are the ones sitting in Congress and Malacañang have the guts to stop the perennial tuition fee increases, oil price hike and the water and power rates?
Who among them will have the political will to stop the trampling by foreign nations on the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and will make this nation equal in footing and be respected by the world and not just a stooge and puppet of the imperialist? Maybe for some but not many.

Since the granting of the nominal independence in 1946 from the imperialist United States, the calls of the demands stated above was completely ignored by preceding presidents and lawmakers.

It is thankful that some party list and individuals was given a chance to sit on the congress, but still it is dominated by the ruling elites and the system is still the same. Of course, not all politicians are like this, I’m not really generalizing the accusation to those who are willing to genuinely serve and protect the interest of the many. But they are just a handful of admirable individuals that despite the rottenness of the political system in our country, they strive for the betterment of the people.

An election is the time, where the poor people should choose their leaders to serve them wholeheartedly and faithfully. However, people are given a little venue to select the leaders that are really espousing their ideals and aspirations. For the record, who among the presidents, and even the people of the congress was from the common tao or the basic masses?

It is imperative to cite that the Philippines are divided into classes. And in each class have their own political, economic and social agenda. The peasant demands for land, workers for just wages, students and youth for free and liberating education and the rich crave for profit. Then who among these classes have the capacity to run for a post and eventually holds the electoral positions? Then what interest are they espousing?

It clearly shows the system that exists in this country. An election that serves as the carnival of the elites that fools the masses of their political rhetoric’s and promises but will not even answer the basic demands of the people but is only up to the coffers and political machineries to serve their own kind, their cohorts, cronies and their business and political ambitions. Where is the hope for the common tao? Or is there any hope? Well, at every end of the tunnel there is a light and of course an exit. However, this cannot be reached overnight.

After 54 years, of self-governance where are we going to go now?

We have a system that is semicolonial and semifeudal that is in deep and worsening crisis. Foreign dictates prevail and our leaders are the parrots of their imperialist’s masters.

The Philippines remain as an agricultural country where peasants, workers and other marginalized sectors of the society that comprised 90% of the population lived in the quagmires of poverty, remains oppressed, exploited and disgruntled.
Many resorted to criminal acts, prostitution and other anti-social activities in their desperate attempts to survive. While many fight back and struggled to end the inequalities that is being propagated and impose by the ruling few.

Some choose to take-up arms because they no longer believe in the system and they want to replace it by their own, as in the case of the New People’s Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, while some took on the streets and shouts at the top of their lungs the injustices and irresponsibility of the present and past governments.

Though we recognize the fact that an election is just the contests of the elites, we cannot stop people from voting, and it is their democratic rights to do so. Though the choices for the electoral posts are of the same kind but not all, we should choose the lesser evil that will govern our country for three or six years.

But let us not put our hope in their hands. We have been hoping for so long. People, especially the oppressed are the true makers of history. We shall forward the interest and democratic aspirations of our class and with our might we will confront those corrupt and evil politicians to subdue to the people’s demands, and through a painstaking arousing, organizing, and mobilizing the people for their democratic interest, we shall have our own government that is represented by all oppressed classes of the society.

A democratic, independent and progressive government that will put forward the interest of the many, with a sound program to answer the question of land, and national industrialization. A country that has the independent, and fair foreign policy, and the people that are equal in the name of law, justice, social equity and opportunity. A nation that is proud to be nation. That is a dream that will soon be realized. So, are you one of us?