Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Edsa People Power’s message to Duterte

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By Raïssa Robles

It is very surreal, saddening and enraging that on the eve of the 32nd commemoration of the 1986 Edsa People Power we are once again being threatened by a Philippine President with a nationwide imposition of martial law.

Already, a third of the nation is under military rule.

Edsa 1986 – The people rush inside Camp Crame. PHOTO BY Sonny Camarillo.

Thousands have died in a bloody crackdown ostensibly against illegal drugs. Although their deaths are supposedly under investigation, the results of any such investigations have rarely been shared with the public.

Members of the press are threatened with violence and continuously harassed online. The organizations they write for are harshly condemned for publishing stories that question the President’s policies.

Congressmen, doing the bidding of the would-be dictator, are frenziedly drafting a new Constitution that will reduce civil and political rights and turn Asia’s fledgling democracy back to authoritarian rule.

In short, we seem to be going back in time.

Thirty-two years after booting out dictator Ferdinand Marcos, someone else is closely copying what the late tyrant did. And that person is a self-confessed Marcos lover.

How did we come to this?

And what will we do about it?

Duterte himself has given us the answer. In his message to the Filipino nation on the eve of Edsa people power, he said that “a people’s courage and resolve can alter the course of our nation’s history.”

According to Duterte, “The People Power Revolution has become the enduring symbol of our determination to fight for what is right and – during our country’s most crucial and trying times – to defend and uphold our cherished democratic values.”

Duterte urged, “Let us further enrich our democracy by empowering our citizenry, defending their rights and strengthening the institutions that safeguard their freedom.”

You can read the Philippine News Agency article on Duterte’s message by clicking here.

Frankly, Duterte’s message sounds like it did not come from him. Unless he had a lobotomy recently which made the two halves of his brain operate independently.

I’m saying this because this doesn’t sound like the same murder maddened leader who constantly delivers the same “kill” message; threatens to bomb schools that are communist-infiltrated and destroy the private property of jeepney owners; and airily dismisses children killed during drug operations as “collateral damage”.

This freedom-loving Duterte is not the same Duterte who, on the night after his inauguration as president, motored to Manila’s poorest district of Tondo and told residents there to “kill” the children of their neighbors who are drug addicts because their own parents would be loath to do it.

Interestingly, Duterte did not deliver his Edsa message in person by appearing in Edsa. He is skipping Sunday’s Edsa rites.

Perhaps he does not really want to celebrate Edsa People Power, because it is all about the power of the people.

Edsa’s People Power message is clear and constant – leaders are accountable to the people and the people have the power over their leaders.

As my Twitter friend Kristoffer Pasion @indiohistorian put it, quoting the title of a book on the Arab Spring written by Internet activist Wael Ghonim: “The power of the people is greater than the people in power.”

When people wake up.

Comments

  1. ‘Congressmen, doing the bidding of the would-be dictator, are frenziedly drafting a new Constitution that will reduce civil and political rights and turn Asia’s fledgling democracy back to authoritarian rule.’ Raissa’s.

    authoritarian rule: Since Con-com is on the
    move, suggestions should be created to
    avoid ‘authoritarian rule’ in the office of
    the president or prime minister.

    To declare Martial Law or State of Emergency
    should be lodge with the concerned regional
    Governor of the State for a limited period
    of time.

    Congress may not be in favor of an anti-
    dynasty constitutional provision. Con-com
    must insist to have this in a complete self-
    executing provision…without need of a law.

    Con-com appears to favor the US pres’l type
    of federalism with modifications. What are
    these modifications? If adopting 12 regional
    States like US 50 States, powers of national
    Congress, Executive and Judiciary must be
    clearly pronounced with limitations so as to
    preserve the other powers not granted to the
    States. Why then on this whole score do we
    have to change the constitution?

    A constitution is a very intricate and
    complicated like-vehicle to drive on.
    Specially a new one at that.

    Con-com and Congress may not see
    eye-to-eye on their respective proposals.
    I doubt with the poor calibers of our leaders
    cha-cha on this will be successful unless
    rammed down the throats of the voters
    by one man or by a powerful group.

    To avoid making a wish I do not like to
    have, I will vote Nyet. Nein. Meiyou. Non.
    le. Nee. HINDI.

  2. DUTERTE DEFENDS ‘SHOOT IN THE VAGINA’ REMARK

    In a speech at the inauguration of the Armscor Shooting Range in Davao City, Duterte on Monday, Feb.26, said the sarcasm was directed at female rebels who bear children while still with the New People’s Army

    He recounted the story of a former NPA couple who surrendered and saw their 17-year old son after a long time

    “Sabi ko, ‘Kayong mga buang kayo, sali-sali kayo ng NPA tapos sige anak. Pabaril ko ‘yang pekpek ninyo,” Duterte said.

    “That was sort of a sarcasm,” he said.”Sabi ko, ‘Paanak-anak kayo tapos iwanan ninyo?”

    Duterte earlier said he had ordered soldiers not to kill female rebels but to shoot them in the vagina instead, to render them “useless”

    Duterte drew flak for his remarks

    Reacting to the President’s statement, detained Senator Leila de Lima said Duterte “is a damaged man”

    https://www.rappler.com/nation/196966-duterte-defends-shoot-female-rebels-vagina-remark

  4. Latest News

    “Aquino exposed in Congress that PAO Forensic Pathologist Dr Erfe has Fake credentials”

    Dr Erfe in his response to Aquino said “I REVIEWED the findings on your dad’s murder”

    Erfe, instead of presenting AUTHENTIC credentials recognized by legitimate International Medical Associations, focused his defense on reading the autopsy report and findings of Ninoy Aquino”

    Flimsy excuse is proof that Dr Erfe hides behind his Fake Certificates for his credibility

    A Real expert will debunk Aquino by presenting Authentic Credentials rather than invoking EMOTIONS

    He he he

  5. DENGVAXIA

    Dr. Erfe displays fake Forensic Pathologist Certificate in his office. Pres Aquino is correct in exposing his expertise. PAO Persidia Acosta defended Dr Erfe’s forensic credential by saying “you can’t buy certification from Harvard and showed Dr Erfe’s certicate of attending a course in Harvard on FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN GOOD GOVERENY”. Acosta validated that Dr Erfe is a FAKE Forensic pathologist with Harvard certificate that has no connection to human pathology.

    Latest News:
    Aquino says Dengvaxia is politicized”
    Tulfo in his column today says that ther is no proof Dengvaxia caused the death of vaccinated children .

    PAO people are headline grabbers and fear mongerers causing deaths of children with measles in Zamboanga.

    • Latest News
      Dr Eefe tells Pres Aquino that he reviewed the Pathology report of his father Ninoy Aquino. Dr Erie reviewed the finding as an official being Director of PAO tasked by the reigning Cory Aquino govt. that did not make him an EXPERT on Dengvaxia.

      I reviewed and presented the forensics of John Lennon in my thesis, that did not make me an EXPERT on music idols dying violently.

      He he he

  6. I hope this governance is just a nightmare and we would wake up soon!!!
    And Leila de Lima will soon be free!
    Mabuhay EDSA!!!
    Praying for everyone.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

  7. FILIPINOS FACING THREAT ‘WORSE THAN MARTIAL LAW’

    ‘We are seeing an erosion of our moral fiber as a people,’ says activist nun Sister Mary John Mananzan, as the Philippines marks the 32nd anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

    Mananzan, a feminist and former president of Saint Scholastica’s College, also mentioned “the crassest and the most objectionable and the most obnoxious machismo,” sexism, and misogynism that she has ever heard.

    She said it seems “there’s a breakdown of rational governance. Parang nawawalan tayo ng dignity. Kaya sa akin, worse pa ‘yan kaysa Martial Law because of its leaders. Ano bang example ang binibigay nila.?”

    “I have never experienced so many intellectually, morally and behaviorally challenged government officials,” Mananzan said.

    The annual observance also comes as the CBCP “warns of a creeping dictatorship” in the face of “self-serving motives” for Charter Change and alarmed by Duterte’s using foul and sexist language, most recently for joking that female rebels “should be shot in the vagina.”

    https://www.rappler.com/nation/196883-1986-edsa-people-power-anniversary-filipinos-threat-worse-martial-law

  8. Salamat Leila..

    Here we are, free, outside of jail…Doing our daily tasks, hoping not to fail… Na purihin ang berdugo..To always say “Hail”… Here we are free as a bird …But Careful not to offend Berdugo’s running dogs… Pilit tinatanggap pilit winawaksi patayan, pati Fake news ng mga trolls at mga blogs… Governing used to be, with class, may delikadeza… New normal talk became “dalawa asawa ko,anak kayo ng puta..” … Governing used to be “protect country’s territory” … The new normal act became “Go on bully.. I wont despise,…Eto pa eto pa inyo rin ang Benham rise”…

    Deep within we now yearn a lot ..a moment free from Berdugo-Bundat… To say to his face “tama na, umalis ka na…mga paraan mong nakakasuka na…

    Sa patuloy mong pagpuna at di pagyuko sa Bundat diktadura Sa binibigay mong pagasa, Salamat Leila… Sa tapang mo sa pagharap sa korap at di tapat Di bat mas malaya ka at mas malakas kesa sa aming nasa labas… Sa pagka buo ng loob mong harapin mga kabastusan at maling paratang Binibigyan mo ng pagasang may araw din ang mga hunghang Na may katapusan din ang pagaalipusta…
    Sa binibigay mong pagasa, Maramimg Salamat Leila…

  10. MR. PRESIDENT: YOUR RHETORIC ON EDSA PEOPLE POWER REVOLUTION WITHOUT CONCRETE SUBSTANCE IS MERELY A FOLLY. EVIDENTLY, YOU HAVE BECOME THE PRESENT AND IMMINENT THREAT TO DEMOCRACY AND CULTURE OF PH BY FOOLING 16M PINOYS YOU CAN SAVE THIS NATION.

  11. off topic … pasensiya na but have you read this?

    With ‘2 wives,’ Duterte wants a raise
    —————————————————————————————-
    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/970980/with-2-wives-duterte-wants-a-raise

    My reaction to this .. It was not a qualification that the being a President should have 2 wives. 2nd, the salary of the President is defined on the constitution. Even that he was elected, it was his own decision to run for the position, which since he is a lawyer, alam niya ang sahod niya.

    But! again, congress and senate might just give in to his wishes again and make it look like there will be no violation of the constitution. Sad diba?

    • if the old crazy wild man think and feel that he is not well compensated, maybe the best thing he could do is simply resign. Just like in the corporate world.

      • he wants federalism, he wants pay rise, he wants all! he should just simplify his life and sign bank waiver.

        he has two wives kuno, aba, bigamist ang hayup, he, he, he. ni walang siyang tunay na 1st lady, e, tapos dadalawa pala ng asawa, ginaya yata si alvarez na may maraming kabit.

        their kabits are their own problems, they should not pass on the burden to taumbayan. hirap na rin ang taumbayan, tumataas na nga ang mga bibilhin, napakabagal pa ang mrt at halos wala ng nfa rice. kung pwede lang po, dapat ipagbili niya ang isang asawa, sell her in the market as used 2nd hand goods, he, he, he. or give wife a job the way mocha was given a job. make wife self sufficient at may sariling income, hindi yong pinapalamun lang. yong kabit nga ni alvarez is being groomed for public office, ang asawa pa kaya ng president.

        duterte is full of gas, may kabag, he, he, he.

        • si honeylet ay may sariling negosyo, meron daw yatang siyang savings na 200million sa banko. por bida, she does not need anymore limos from taxpayers. the other wife po, ay matagal na silang hiwalay, annuled ang marriage and gotten financial settlement from duterte, has 3 super mega rich children, one is top drug lord, the other palaboy, the daughter is mayor. for sure, these children can give more than just lugaw to their own mother.

          dont believe in everything the old man said, he’s just wheedling crazy. wala kasing valentines date nuong feb 14, he, he, he.

        • pagod na raw kuno ang old man, so many salutes he has to do everyday kuno. he has to salute uniformed personnel at the end of his working day. he, he, he, never ending salute, relentless and tiresome kuno. he should tell that to the marines, salute one more time, and I’m gonna break your arm! at ease!

          por bida, if crazy old man thinks federalism is going to save him from anymore salutes, he is wrong.

  12. The Crazy Wild Old man did call for unity … but where is him? He also skipped the event last year diba? I think he didn’t not and would not recognize this. He chose to attended the Mindanao Petron Dealers Meet

  13. I am sure hindi si Duts ang gumawa ang speech na iyan! Kung mismo sya ang nag attend sa selebrasion sigurado na mag ad lib na naman sya at malamang mag yabang naman tungkol sa druga, mga addict at pushers! Iyon lang naman ang language na alam nya.