Post facto

By Rolo B. Cena
The Gulf Files
Dumaguete Star Informer
27 February 2011

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Putting my two cents in, it takes a lot of effort these days to recall the thrill that surged through the world when EDSA 1 was staged out of one simple call. It was not only because the dictator that controlled the land was ousted out of the greed-seized Malacanang; it was also because the first lady president, a plain and simple housewife, ruled the Republic.

After the popular revolt that catapulted her to power and the country to world recognition, the late and former President Corazon Aquino championed democracy; and then there was democracy.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Marcos’ close ally, confidante and Chief-of-Staff, casually followed suit after he was elected president despite electoral protest from contender now Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. To most Filipinos, it was the hottest and the most contested election the Philippines has ever had for one fundamental truth: there was electoral fraud.

And so the spirit of EDSA was for the first time abused and put to waste.

After a term, pro-poor-superhero packaged movie actor was mandated by the democratic eighty-million Filipinos to occupy the graft-stricken Malacanang Palace by the dirt-covered Pasig River. To the poorest of poors, deposed former President Erap Estrada was their knight in shining armor ready salve them from criminals and violators of law in a square one-on-one hand-fight. To the intellectuals, Erap Estrada is just another actor emulating the character in the “Wakasan” classics of rags-to-riches plots.

But the twists and turns did not conclude in a fairy tale saga. Never had the “masa” projected that their savior would later emerge the villain in the political story; a convict of the major crime and violation ever recorded in the pages of Philippine politics. Thereafter, EDSA 2 rolled out and out of the crowd, came a child who witnessed the then Vice President Gloria arroyo sworn into office as the President. Thanks to the envelope and the senate’s dancing queen; thanks to this child.

The EDSA spirit was not just revived; it was revitalized and synergized in the process. Or, maybe so.

The petite lady of the Imperial Manila sought the second term which she claimed was not; it was her first. Out of this new version of democracy, she continued to rule the land despite electoral protests. To many on the left, former President now Pampanga Representative lost the contest to the late and King of Philippine Movies Fernando Poe, Jr.

The EDSA spirit was once again tarnished by way of the “Hello Garci” Scandal and the story of a petite lady who most of the time committed mental lapses. To many on the left, it was a serious offense punishable by law. To democracy, it was a grave offense against it fundamentals. EDSA was once again the victim!

Sensibly, the class of democracy the late and former President Cory Aquino institutionalized gradually depreciated with the magnitude of let-downs becoming palpable everywhere. To many on the right, it was better than all the bests in the world; better than the dictatorial rule that paralyzed the country for more than two decades. To many on the left, it was a gateway to a more blatant corruption; it was the final bridge towards the destruction of Philippine government.

For one, this democracy seems to endure spendthrifts who squander billions of pesos on wasteful bureaucracy: These spendthrifts are in the person of senators, congressman, cabinet members, and other elected officials of the land who consume the most controversial red meat called pork in a barrel; this democracy seems to mortgage the future while failing to wrestle against the present. To centrists who backed this democracy, it has been a disappointment in the sense that the latitude it accords to its constituents falls short of its nobler intentions.

The Philippines is now an uncharacteristically uncertain place. For one, President Aquino, the son of world’s icon of democracy and former president of the country, seems to have been incapacitated by the former administration’s supporters in the Supreme Court, Ombudsman and other offices. Two, uncertainty in decision making seems to be cup of tea of the President and his colleagues.

While he is believed to be sincere in his political reforms, Mr. Aquino seems acutely unable to perceive, let alone respond to, the grievances of the majority of his constituents, and has a dangerous habit of dismissing minority voices who disagree with him as enemies or just bitter.

What has EDSA really done to us Filipinos? I am not condemning who and what or insinuating another rebellion in the likes of Egypt and Libya, certainly not. I just feel remorse for EDSA every time Juan de la Cruz suffers from complete political, economic and social deprivation due to greed.

The Filipinos do not like uncertainty. Make EDSA real!