Back to square one
They say that the more things change, the more they remain the same.The sad part is when change comes by force, it never really changes things, we simply rearrange things. Once again this truth occurs to me as people anticipate the decision to be handed down by the Sandiganbayan regarding the plunder case against President Joseph Estrada. All the anticipation, speculation and security preparations make me feel as if I’m going back in time. But why do we seem to be on a permanent political “Unmerry-go-round”? Let’s look back and figure it out.
When people staged EDSA 1, many believed that they had truly changed things for the good. They had successfully kicked out the dictatorship and sent all their allies packing to the US, Switzerland, Thailand etc.
It did not take long for people to learn the saying that “the Revolution always eats its children”, slowly those who were in the forefront of the People Power found themselves displaced by experts, interest groups as well as sweet talkers and operators. In time the first and second wave of believers and idealists were eventually pushed out or walked out in frustration.
One morning people woke up realizing that the oppressors they had chased out of the country were now back in town. Soon they would eventually be back in circulation and eventually back in power, but with a more positive image as businessmen, seasoned politicians, and king makers.
EDSA 2 was less than idealistic since it was as history has shown us nothing more than a “power grab”, supported and fueled by fear and greed, not by a few politicians but by businessmen, the church, as well as ordinary people convinced that a “drunk” and a “womanizing gambler” would lead the country into ruin. But rather than finish the “Impeachment process” the matter was settled at EDSA.
Now seven years later the deposed President casts his shadow on the national landscape like an unpredictable storm cloud. After years of imprisonment in his Tanay rest house, Erap continues to receive the individuals who were architects and supporters of his removal from office. In a matter of weeks the Sandi-ganbayan is expected to read out its decision and judgment. Several thousand soldiers and policemen have been deployed all over Metro Manila in anticipation of protests or civil disturbance from Erap supporters. Even in jail Erap is somehow back in power.
The contending parties are once again formulating strategies, trying somehow to throw blow for blow with Erap, determined to score points while Malacañang desperately tries to somehow put closure. So we are “Back to square one”. But why do we always end up here?
Simply put, because the ones who call themselves “the good guys” or most Filipinos for that matter, do not fully appreciate our “Laws” and they are either too poor or too impatient to go through the process of finding justice. In addition those in a position to contribute to a good justice system, Like the executive department, associations of lawyers, judges and justices, Religious organizations etc, generally contribute with their interests in mind.
On the other hand, the so called “Bad guys” who were run out of office or chased out of the country are left with no choice but to follow the law and utilize the justice system. First to get back into the country, get back their personal assets, and to re-establish their position whether in government or society. Since they have the assets or the money to begin with, they always have the option of hiring the best and the brightest legal minds. They have access to qualified strategists and tacticians, and their most useful weapon is that they have all the time in the world to fight and wait while in jail or in exile.
So we see that in our rush to change things we simply rearranged them. The rest of the Marcos clan are back in the limelight, in politics, even in the front pages. Imelda Marcos reminds us of the hundred or so charges hurled at her, but none has stuck and now all that remains can be counted on her fingers.
The once reviled and original “Pacman” Danding Cojuangco is more than back in the saddle. From exile he has reclaimed his leadership of San Miguel Corporation which has grown into a regional giant and a source of pride for Filipinos. The irony is that San Miguel continues to gobble up other companies, but instead of cursing Danding Cojuangco, his former critics are rejoicing because the shares they acquired will certainly go up in value.
Much has been said and suggested on how to deal with a problem like “Estrada”. There is the talk of reconciliation, pardon, amnesty or appealing to the people to respect the decision of the court. Soon enough we will face our greatest test and our biggest opportunity to prove that our courts are independent, that our laws are just, and that the government (not its political leaders) will stand ready to uphold the law without fear or favor.
God willing when we pass this storm, all of us will give more importance and greater value to learn as well as to teach others that our laws and our Justice system serve an equally important purpose in the life of Philippine society.
As individuals like Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno who works hard to clean up the courts of scalawags and incompetents, everyone else, beginning from the universities all the way to Malacañang must learn and teach that revolts and revolutions are merely temporary solutions. Politicians must remember that life and public office have a limited term, while laws and justice are eternal.
