THE ONLY HOPE FOR OUR BELOVED PHILIPPINES
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Dear Neo, Nars, and Class '60 Classmates:
Thanks for your very neat ideas about the steps the Filipinos must take to roll back the tide toward
self-destruction. As you said, the country is now moribund, and probably should be in the ICU already
(definitely! ).
Now I have some things to share with my friends and colleagues in the way of concrete steps that you
outlined, to save the country. The way your thinking process is proceeding, Neo, you are still blessed with
Type 1 Betz cells!
Nars stated that what we need is not prayers, but conversion. That is essentially what I stated in my email to
Toots, that the Filipinos of all stripes and classes should have a real change of heart, and let their Catholic
tenets rule our lives and actions. That is essentially a conversion!
Our leaders are intelligent, are schooled in the nation's top universities and in some of the best US schools,
yet they are not "straight and moral" in their dealings, hence the charge of corruption in the top rungs of
leadership. Very sad. Someone said that no body of consequence has ever been jailed in our country.
Ex-Pres. Estrada was convicted, but was in house arrest, or in "jail" with all the amenities of a luxury home.
Then he was pardoned by his successor, in a deft move (?) to prevent her being charged in court later, once
her presidency is over. Or, may be there was a deal for the Estrada people to support her in her plans for
further "service" to the people.
Your call for demonstration is good, specially if there is a strike for a day or more. This will scare the top
leaders, because of the paralysis of civilian and governmental functions. Will the people serving the
government go along with this move? If they do not, then the action is half-hearted, and may not have real
impact on the leadership's thinking and subsequent reaction.
The call for impeachment can be defeated by top national leaders who have henchmen in the Congress;
they can stop that in the bud. Sad to say, these people's representatives are not answerable to the voters,
but to Malacanan, through bribes, favors in appointments, pork barrel outlays, etc.
Bloodless and bloody military coup might work. Here, we have to be careful because the top military leader
might install himself as leader (=dictator) for prolonged period. If the military will be amenable, they can
have a short-term "caretaker government", pave the way for election, and ensure democratic succession.
Again, this is a big IF. The general or admiral might be greedy too, and set himself up for power "forever",
ala Marcos.
As you stated, the military does have a lot of clout. They must be loyal to the people's needs and desires.
And they must side with the people.
The scenario of national events in the next six to twelve months will be critical because the people are
getting restless; the student and intellectual groups are the same. Their feeling is "Tama na." They are fed
up. The top leaders seem to be impervious to the people's demands, or they pretend to hear, but no
reaction to what the common masses want.
The Filipinos are a very patient people; they can take abuses for long periods; they can still smile in the
midst of poverty and hardship contrived by the "leaders". But they have a boiling point, and that is when they
will rebel bloodlessly (People Power) or have a bloody revolution (unlikely without military collusion).
May God continue to bless our hapless people who, in their infinite patience and acceptance of present
conditions, can decide to ACT in due time, for their good, and for our national emancipation. (That will be the
DAY!)
~Seb
Dear Seb.
Thanks for your 100% confidence. I am simply an aging member of UPCM Class '60, comfortable in our
retirement home 12,000 miles from my birthplace, brainstorming and trying hard to avoid age-related
dementia by logging in to the class website to exchange ideas with my classmates. We all came to America
for a variety of reasons, but our hearts really never left the Philippines. That is why we are keeping tab of what
is going on in the old homeland. You probably have more contacts over there than I do and since I am not
privy to what is happening on the ground over there I can speak only in generalities. The details I leave to
others.
If the Philippines were a patient, she is critically ill and just one step away from the ICU. For the longest time
we have known her diagnosis but the treatment she has received so far is grossly inadequate. In general
terms here is the outline of my proposed plan of treatment:
I. Peaceful/non- violent/bloodles s: (Initial prayer here...for guidance)
A. Massive popular demonstrations against the government:
(a)People power 3...4...5... until the government pays attention.
(b)Start in MetroManila, followed by or simultaneously in Cebu City, Baguio City,
Iloilo City, Davao City, Zamboanga City, ETC.
(c)Get the labor unions involved from the start; they have good organization.
(d)Get the middle class/business community involved; they provide cover.
(e)Get the military to stay neutral or to the people's side; this is critical.
If the government remains unmoved---
B. General nationwide strike by: (one day test, longer if needed)
(a)Transportation sector-- jeepneys, buses, ships, airlines
(b)Communications sector-- radio, tv, telephone
(c)Farm sector
(d)Request foreign embassies/consulate s to cancel exit visas for government
officials from mayors to the president.
C. Call for impeachment of the president.
(a)Prosecute for corruption, ill-gotten wealth, etc.
(b)House arrest pending trial.
D . Bloodless coup d'etat by the military.
(a)Appoint civilian head of state
(b)Benign martial law
(c)Partial suspension of constitution;
(1)Prosecute all cases of corruption, etc.
(2)Confiscate all ill-gotten wealth, etc.
(3)House arrest for all governors and members of congress
(d)Immediate resumption of all governmental and private sector functions
(e)General election as soon as practicable
(f )Open communication with foreign governments
If all else failed---
II. Bloody revolution! The very, very last resort. (Last prayer here...for more guidance.)
It is important to do first things first and last things last. None of the above will happen unless the military is
on the people's side. It is also important to keep communication open with all foreign governments so that,
successful or not, the world's sympathy is with the reform movement. I am sure I forgot or omitted some
items inadvertently along the way. Seb, you and your friends please fill in the blanks. To this point I have not
asked the most vital question: WHO will lead the people to the promised land?
Stay on your knees and pray harder for God's grace and mercy. For the sake of the Philippines and her
people.
Neo
Dear Neo:
I agree with your thesis 100%.
Please state "possible avenues of redress and reform." I would like to know them so I can share them with
many kababayans here in the States. They are discussing this same topic with great interest. Thanks.
~Seb
Dear Seb,
Praying for the rejuvenation of the Philippines is a fine idea. As a matter of fact, it might work. But it should be
the last resort. We pray for divine intervention only after we have exhausted all possible avenues of redress
and reform. Two "people power" demonstrations did some short-term positive results. Election after
election the people voted knowingly for greedy, corrupt, immoral and incompetent candidates. The police
and the military, the very people we trust to protect and preserve the constitution and to keep us safe,
shamefully have not lived up to our expectations. The country has been mismanaged to varying degrees ever
since she gained independence after World War II. And the Roman Çatholic Church, beset by its own
problems, has not been an effective major player in the reform movement.
In short, God knows that the people are suffering but that the Filipinos have not really exhausted all avenues
of reform. The people are too passive or timid in the midst of flagrant violations of the constitution or the
plundering of the national treasury or the destruction of the fragile environment. There is no fire in their
hearts or in their minds. They are too tolerant, too accepting of their fate in the face of a corrupt and
incompetent government. Through God's grace a beautiful country was created for a beautiful people. But
the people and their trusted leaders squandered this divine gift. Now we ask God to pull us out o the hole.
Of course, we must pray. God always listens to our prayers. But sometimes the answer is NO. That's how
Adam and Eve lost paradise.
Neo
Let us prayesday, September 2, 2009, 7:10 PM
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