Epilogue
Epilogue
(The best Mother and son Presidential Tandem. Cory Aquino retrieved 14 long years of hostage democracy through EDSA People Power in February of 1986 and Benigno "PNoy" Aquino III lifted the economy of the country with a 6.5% GDP average, the highest performance ever in the last 40 years!)
Past President Corazon C. Aquino was simply phenomenal. All freedom-loving Filipinos owe their gratitude and should return the compliment to her she extended to the country especially when it mattered most. Democracy no less!
How her name beacons in the limelight of democracy and the world of politics are indeed amazing. True she might have not experienced any public administration from the barangay before history catapulted her as President of the Philippines through the People Power of 1986. But the accolades and various recognitions and standing ovation she reaped in US Congress the prestigious Time Magazine naming her "Woman of the Century" far validates her niche in world politics as a popular opinionated icon. Those other countries in the world practiced her People Power – from communist mainland China, Germany, and Europe to democratic Asian countries and lately in the Middle East and still counting - are proof of the magic she weaved by harnessing the collective energy of the people in EDSA toppling down the authoritarian government. With that incredible feat, she is at par with the great Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and many other world greats. It's no wonder that her name was even nominated by some quarters after her death into sainthood among Catholics indicating the miracle her sanctity brought about political changes in the country and beyond.
What past presidents failed to do, Cory simply did it with finesse and style through her celebrated transparent good governance. No question that no less than PNOY later would acknowledge his elevation to presidency to her mother. This he revealed in one of his visits to China. So too with the rest of the country who proved to one and all that not all 68 Million Filipinos back then are that stupid and cowards fighting and subsequently ending the fourteen long years of Marcos' dictatorship. But Cory just did it showing the world that no way a dictator could stay that long in office squeezing the government's coffers empty clean and dry.
"Yes, how she won that 1986 snap election might be suspect," any Juan de la Cruz might gripe. But as then Sen. Rene Saguisag, one of her loyal but brilliant apologists bares it in Dong Puno's highly rated talk show Viewpoint. "He who runs away from the fight naturally is a loser."
"Of course, the election was not a derby," the opposing gentlemen in the show argued against.
"But so, what? When Juan de la Cruzes were there ready to unleash delivering the coup de grace to the tough dictator."
Thanks, that People Power saved the day or the conflagration would have eaten innocent Filipinos alive.
Undoubtedly Marcos' categorical "No!' response to then Gen. Ver of bombing Camp Aguinaldo where Ramos, Enrile, and thousands of supporters holed in proved to be his last remaining saving grace. That more or less bailed him out from the infamy and disgrace of history.
True enough, she did a great favor to Juan by restoring him to his cherished security and freedom mangled by Marcos. What more a widow could offer the Filipinos asking for great change?
She also formed the Presidential Commission on Human rights. Though devoid of any police power, it helped every Filipino seek redress against any human rights violations. After she declared a provisional Revolutionary Government, she proclaimed the creation of the Constitutional Commission to formulate a draft of the Constitution after consultation with the Filipino people throughout the country. That vital document is now the 1987 Constitution and By-Laws governing and securing the basic rights of each Filipino.
The transition from dictatorial to democratic was not at all bed of roses though for President Cory Aquino. Dwindling economy, $28 Billion IMF debt, sporadic hostilities between the reds and military, bloated bureaucracy, possible resurgence of a fascist rule given the power and unpredictability of Marcos' loyalist camp, termination of Military Bases Agreement, internecine strife among Muslim separatists in Mindanao above all bread and butter for Juan. These were some of the challenges facing the new President. But she faced them nonetheless confronting them one at a time. Upon assumption of office, she did the way Ramon Magsaysay opened Malacañang to all general viewing public revealing the lavish display of wealth of the First Family.
Surprisingly, Cory Aquino's economic woes were a fulfillment of an ominous ad in the Philippine Daily Inquirer reserving her government's program in one whole blank page of paper with the caption: "This page is reserved for Cory Aquino's program of the government."
It was a tightrope act for Pres. Corazon Aquino. One exchange rate from peso to a dollar shoot up fast than during Ferdinand Marcos. Not sure of the prevailing story behind the development. It might be as natural as a sunny day as the Economy is yet in tattered finding its proper place under the sun.
Groping for form in the dark and left in the cold was indeed what happened to Cory's effort nipped in the bud whatever programs she had for the country. Compounding the hardship of her administration was a series of mutinies staged by military adventurists from 1988 to 1989.
Suffering Messianic complex thinking that they could run better the country than their civilian counterpart, the highly ambitious military gentlemen suffering amnesia of People's Power staged a series of mutinies. But no way, not over the dead body of Juan de la Cruz who's the hangover of Martial Law, was still fresh and resolved that no compromise for the resurgence of any semblance of military dictatorship is needed back then. No, and never again, were the words in many placards shown every Martial Law anniversary vindicating that Filipinos' romance with dictatorship was already over. Not yet ready too of adopting a banana republic.
(Source: Microsoft Bing. Retrieved 07-14-2022)
(Source: Microsoft Bing. Retrieved 07-14-2022)
True to her promise after EDSA, Cory did not deliberately seek reelection to the consternation of her close friends and advisers thus setting the tone of an exciting presidential derby among ambitious presidential timbers of a different breed, discipline, and persuasions: Fidel Ramos former Chief of Staff, Eduardo Cojuangco a businessman, Ramon "Monching" Mitra then holding the second powerful position as Senate President foisting to outlive his opponent in the race with his 'Matirang Matibay' maxim or so it seems; spitfires Miriam Defensor Santiago who minces no words and have death threats as her breakfast and last, the veteran and ever grizzled politician Jovito Salonga who is yet to taste debacle in his sterling political career. This was one of the second presidential Derby that happened. The first one, of course, happened during Marcos' second term reelection in the 1969 Presidential election among twelve candidates who run for the highest position of the land. And while the post-EDSA election was relatively peaceful that of Marcos was marked by irregularities from fraud, vote-buying, and massive violence. It was said that Marcos spent $56 Million from Philippine Treasury to fund his campaign.
The Filipino people who benefitted from People Power might have waived, fall short of the expectation diminishing their commitment to EDSA but thankfully, they collectively carved a niche as a legacy for all people to remember the monster that is a dictatorship. Just like the Holocaust where millions of Jews died at the hands of Hitler stories of their past in graphical sight and sounds in Israel were preserved, reminders of Martial Law from Sept. 21, 1972, to 1981 roughly nine (9) years when it was recalled by Ferdinand E. Marcos and thereafter towards February 24, 1986, of People Power EDSA Revolution as rightly enjoined by a letter sender of Philippine Daily Inquirer is in order here. We need to learn the lesson from this more than a decade of infamy to guide our children, especially those post-Martial babies from that dark history of our country where many lives were sacrificed and significantly, paying the price dearly restoring democracy.
This is to protect that ". . . learning from the experience and ensuring that things that happen in the past will never happen again," then Dr. Aurora A. Parong, Executive Dir., Task Force Detainee of the Philippines said, and rightly so.
"Never again and no more Martial Law and Militarization!" should then be the battle cry or we have again to summon the much-abused principle that is Unarmed Revolution or People Power resting its rightful place in history. What the country needs is to move on as a re-united nation bringing collectively towards the attainment of peace, economic prosperity, and development in all other facets of life.
Thus far, Martial Law Museum was already established with files of 6,000 entries among victims in 1999. How much monetary benefits a victim would get depends on the gravity of his suffering, it was learned. Imelda Marcos's antics that "we did not even pinch a human right victim and that God may strike me any time of thunder with dispatch if we committed abuses" she declared to Veteran international broadcaster Veronica Pedrosa when the latter confronted the issue at Congress as part of her bio video Imelda and Me shown last September 2011 in YouTube. US Federal jury in Honolulu would soon award $1.2 Billion in damages to roughly 9,500 victims of tortures, summary killings, and disappearances during Marcos' regime from Sept. 21, 1972, towards February 24, 1986, with interest, the amount has grown to nearly $4 Billion in the maze of lawsuits and legal appeals. Unfortunately, all victims have yet to receive that reward as a commitment for the payment has been long overdue though cleared victims will stand to receive the payment. By far not a single human rights victim received a cent as of 2005. (PDI February 7, 2005) until six more years later (2011) when some finally were given their claims.
To her caution to Switzerland government "not to take the money that does not belong to them," US Appellate Court promulgated a decision putting beyond their reach Marcos assets recovered by the Philippine government from Secret Bank accounts in Switzerland.
Similarly, Congress passed a law under Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo allowed the victims to share Marcos' bounty which had been deposited in the government's bank. The account too is in and not lost. Victory in defeat is how this remuneration works as it is the "moral obligation of the State to compensate human rights victims." (PDI February 7, 2005) DBM would then order and allocate P8 Billion from the proceeds of Marcos' wealth to the claimants and a portion of the proceed budgeted for implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Sen. Joker Arroyo made the compensation bill for this in the Senate and all was not lost for Martial Law victims until 2005 as indicated when victims were not seen receiving a single cent promised to be awarded to them. Until the anniversary of Martial Law on Sept. 21, 2010, where Human Rights victims stood receiving US $1,000.00 each as partial compensation. This was confirmed by Atty. Rod Domingo Jr. represents the 7,600 victims of human rights violations in the US class suit. The final hearing was set for November 16th that year. This writer wonders if at all money was already distributed last January and February of 2011 as stipulated. ". . . . This will not compensate their sufferings. But it's a start. We are hoping more will come soon. Our victory is after all not symbolic but real," Domingo clarified (UCA News 2011).
It did. Marie Ilao who delivered one of her children inside prison would later show receipt of a $1,000.00 check as her partial remuneration from the government. Veronica Pedrosa, International Correspondent of Al Jazeera, incorporated that in her latest bio video coverage "Imelda and me" shown later (Sept. 25-2011) on mainstream TV and YouTube. Marie Ilao's younger sister, a student writer back then was not lucky as she was. She was never seen again after her abduction. Her crime – writing an article against the government in her school's paper organ.
All is told, Fidel Valdez Ramos whose "I'm sorry Manong but your time is up!" pick-up lines against Marcos, actually his relative and master for many years" eked out plurality votes over his closest rival Miriam Defensor Santiago in that hotly contested national election of 1992. Some insiders look at Cory's support to Ramos as her reward for quelling many coups' de etat staged by military rebels notably Gringo Honasan who later snatched a Senate seat in the 1994 Senatorial election. Aggravating her economic woes were insecurities, restlessness, and what have you gradually building into higher proportion spreading its impending danger from Metro Manila down to the South. The threat came from all fronts – left, right, and middle referring to the resurgence of leftists, Marcos loyalists, and the military rebels.
There was also the implacable threat from the century-old Muslim separatists camp of MNLF Chief Nur Misuari to the dreaded Abu Sayyaf engaging in kidnap-for-ransom employing high-tech weapons yet. Worst still, her secretaries have to be replaced one after the other against issues ranging from ineptitude, incompetence, graft, and corruption to simple political pressures beyond control. Sad it to say that despite her honest-to-goodness reconciliation program, her relentless efforts fell on deaf ears either abused or shunned away as an outright attempt of aligning forces with Uncle Sam in what the Total War aimed at renewing the faltered hostility against the commies of the past.
In the meantime, killings went on unabated. The ceasefire was merely a concoction of liberation in papers only that both government panel and rebels reached a stalemate over terms of reference the latter would stretch the law digressing beyond the common line stipulated. No meeting of minds in other words the rebels insisted on shelving Phil. Constitution of 1997 insisted only on their prepared talking points the government panel could not swallow.
If ever the ceasefire agreement served its purpose, it merely facilitated the rebels' visit to their respective families and relatives coming out in open talking in a different forum – from the public market to universities – the moral of their crusade (arm struggle against the government) and spelled out litanies of ill will why there is a need of driving out the Americans, implementing progressive land reform and of fighting the government who has reneged its commitment in delivering basic services to the people. Whatever happened to Lean Alejandro, labor leader Ka Lando Olalia and hapless farmers featured in the ruthless Mendiola massacre? The latest case of enforced Desaparecidos was Jonas Burgos, the son of Joe Burgos, an erstwhile noted journalist of Malaya.
Another was the Manalo brothers. They were fortunate that they escaped from the dragnet and have their tales documented and their lives protected. The writ of Amparo was the result of their storied journey to freedom.
These are incidents that otherwise would have been addressed and the sign of the times read by the government that would have averted further restlessness. But as this harassment was later included in history, it's farfetched it seems to blot out the curse that is dictatorship until the EDSA revolt happened in 1986.
But as rhetoric died down, one lofty glaring legacy came out: restoration of democracy back to the Filipinos. That nobody would argue against. Not only did she fulfilled her promise not to run but also, put herself on the line protecting that recovered democracy with all her might and influence.
"Follow what I'm doing! Don't tamper with the Constitution. Delegate the post to anybody else you perceived as protector of democracy as we did in EDSA in effect warning how far the monster that is Martial Law capable of making destruction," Tita Cory advised driving home her urgent concern to her successor Kuya Eddie.
But not after her administration was dragged too on several burning issues that marred her legacy of social responsibility and good governance. History this time was not on her side as her short five years term (1986-1991) was accounted for. The human rights violation was as follows: 816 Desaparecidos', 135 cases of massacres, 1064 victims of summary executions, 20, 523 illegal arrests and detention, and 1,200,000 civilian dislocations. Leaving a mole on her good name were different high-profile massacres. One was the Mendiola massacre in January 1987 killing 13 farmers and 39 gunfire injuries fired upon by Cory's government forces. Second in a row was the Lupao massacre that ensued the following month of February killing 15 farmers including 6 children and 2 elders dead. Sword of War was unleashed according to progressive groups as Vigilante groups hired the notorious Alsa Masa and Tadtad cult killing more than 100 in the process.
There were other serious and acerbic issues raised against Cory especially coming from her beleaguered Yellow army who even lobbied her against receiving international awards and distinction. Among others, she didn't help Flor Contemplacion who would have been saved from electrocution in Singapore had she pursued her cause all the way, her detractors contended.
Cory's endorsement of her Sec. of National Defense Gen. Fidel Ramos was vindicated when he immediately fixed her house from disarray upon his assumption of office in Malacañang.
On a lighter note, Uncle Sam's presence in the Philippines ended in 1992 what with Phil. Congress rejected a new treaty with the country getting back Subic Bay and Clark Airfield from the US. Four years later in 1996, guerilla warfare in the South was also terminated with the granting of sovereignty for the establishment of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as stipulated in Tripoli Agreement, a deal the government signed with Chairman Nur Misuari.
That at least proved that forging peace is good exercise but if not taken seriously, leads to nowhere. Thus, the need for working peace for a lifetime, or we have to continue waging war as an alternative that does more harm than good. With the economy secured in the good hands of President Ramos, the country too had averred his "Philippines 2000" template this wave of industrialization started from Marcos to Cory's term and had its defining moment. This happened despite a series of currency devaluations, an offshoot of a financial crisis that gripped Asia in 1997 Steady Eddie's term just breezed through productively.
With the agreement however between the government and MILF on Bangsamoro Entity, it is hoped that anything for the better would happen to the country especially Mindanao to end the century's old hostility and to finally put various investments in place in Mindanao especially Muslim areas. Pera sa Mindanao para sa Mindanao, one ad from the bank says it all. But this is easier than done unless what is stipulated in the framework to be approved by Congress and Senate would be put in place. As it has been characterized, the feudal system is still existing in Muslim areas. Warlordism, loose firearms considered an extension of their intestines next to cars, a friend said, wholesale graft and corruption by officials – all these are bottlenecks that should be resolved first. Look whatever happens now and as earlier cited in the fiction, mostly all of the Muslim provinces in the Region were in the latest (2012) top 10 poor provinces. Where had all the government's money gone? Poor and yet look on the 2012 Statement of Assets and Liability Net worth (SALN) of government officials, many top officials in the Region made it to the top 2!
And yet Marawi City has even no traffic lights. How is this? Lately, the MSU-Main, the biggest University in terms of the student population was not even spared as the site of ambush!
National identification system, ground working for unicameralism from bicameralism in the Senate, and securing millions of signatories to amend the Constitution might have been unpopular issues and drawbacks but as his pen name, 'Steady Eddie' would aver all is not lost for Filipino to change for the better.
ERAP's time came though when he was elected President in1998. He did not finish his term however when public outrage overtook him on charges of corruption. He was unseated when Congress and Senate impeached him as President in 2001. Like a movie, the Man of the Masses would soon reclaim his role albeit his nemesis. The first-ever corruption case in history transformed his sobriquet Erap para sa mahihirap to an ex giving him what he could bargain for. This anecdote would surely qualify for his sick "Eruption Jokes."
"It seems my life is already predestined and consigned to the dustbin of history as an 'Ex.' I was an Ex-mayor, Ex-Senator, Ex-Vice President, Ex-President, and unprecedented Ex-convict," his double Willie Nepumoceno confessed to the amusement of a captive paying audience.
The economist Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's turn came in 2004. Narrowly defeating Fernando Poe Jr., Ex-President Joseph Estrada's close friend and buddy, getting roughly 3% differential over her closest rival. Implicated in influencing 2004 election results though revealed in a taped conversation with COMELEC Chairman Garcillano, calls for her resignation roared in Congress. Fortunately, the issue died down before it could muster the desired number thus voting down impeachment charges against her. But the curse seems to be on her as her erstwhile political allies in Mindanao Zaldy Ampatuan, Bedol and other accomplices in that election are turning witnesses against her spilling the beans about how the election was manipulated to her favor and the rest of the candidates in her slate. This should be in order as the crime committed is far worse than Maguindanao Massacre in that the entire Philippine population's votes were taken in a joyride and massacred compared to roughly 57 victims of the Maguindanao Massacre involving 32 journalists, according to Conrad de Quiros, columnist of Phil. Daily Inquirer. Thus far, then-Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri who was a beneficiary of deducting- add on the scheme in Maguindanao thought aloud of possible repercussions in his political career and of saving his face nipped the bud by tendering his resignation. But whether his case would be vindicated is yet to be seen.
Aggravating the dark spot of her legacies were the ZTE deal, Macapagal anomalous extension road project, and all that. She too held each Filipino captive and hostage leaving roughly P50,000.00 debt for each and as a lasting gift on top of having to grandstand that her administration had accomplished more than her previous predecessors combined ever in terms of infrastructure projects, Gross Domestic Product, Billions of Investments, RORO, and lately poll automation among others.
Wanting even more not to leave any stones unturned at least before she'll leave her office, she filled up sensitive vacant position slots in the judiciary through midnight appointments. And to appease the restlessness that sparked the ire of the legal profession as immunity from suit would soon mature and waived from her, she has all lawyers ordered and given equivalent career officer rank in government service. Some people in the media sector who secure her good image were also rewarded with a juicy positions.
The list is long. But are you not wondering why she practically moved heaven and earth never mind last-ditch effort purportedly leaving such legacy effort drumbeats in full throttle by media that incoming administration would be benefiting the most from such bequest? Your guess is as good as mine. There will be a surge and avalanche of lawsuits dragging her into Court. She would then have her day full as soon as she steps out of Malacañang. Bayan Muna, Anak Pawis, and Gabriela are all set, eager, and raring to sue her for countless irregularities accounted to her administration. It's a sad refrain of course for PGMA. But what could she do? The people whom she might have faithfully served might have also equally good reasons to make it in the spirit of transparency and accountability before bidding her adieu from the palace. She did to avail services of medical experts outside the shores but her plan was nipped in the bud as she was apprehended before he could board her flight outside the country. Soon her mug photo with a brace on her neck under house arrest landed as one of the best photos of 2011 adjudged by the local TV station.
Until the first-ever automated national elections were introduced and used in the 2010 election. Benigno "Noynoy" Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III in short PNoy won the Presidential election and was sworn in at Rizal Park on June 30, 2011, setting new birth for Philippine's 'walang wangwang, or no counter flow against and you Filipino ordinary guys are all my bosses' brand of politics. Fr. Driarco like any perceptive Filipinos had misgivings on PNoy's mental health. With his unpredictable schooling at Ateneo Manila University were many instances of schizophrenic episodes. But good the Jesuits cover that up and since there are no legal requirements that barred him from running the highest office of the land. He did and won! In fairness, he had the best GDP result among past presidents since Ferdinand Marcos got a 6.25% percentage on average during his term with 7.334% the highest registered in his first year of office in 2010. President Joseph "Erap" Estrada got the lowest with an average of 2.30% average on his three years term from 1988-2000/ The graphics below confirmed that economic performance. His Economics background at ADMU might have certainly been at work here for PNoy.
(Graphics showing comparative performance of past Presidents from Ferdinand Marcos to Rodrigo Duterte. Note PNoy performing the best GDP number followed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Cory Aquino.)
Unfortunately, it's been more than four decades since EDSA, and yet People Power hardly registered desirable changes in people's lives.
"It was just merely a Military Revolt," observed by a retired OFW and faculty of USTP, Cagayan de Oro City. First, we should stop the orgy of creating another EDSA. Let the spirit of that people's power rule and govern us. Such is the continuing challenge for us today. Indiscriminate firing would still fill the air unabated if there would be no sincerity in working out a lasting peace. The ceasefire would just be in the paper. Above all else, let us put into practice what Cory Aquino painstakingly restored for us – democracy. How could we ever fail when we have not practiced it? Look who controls the economy of the nation if not mostly Oligarchs who also control Congress and Senate.
Riding on the crest of people's power, Pnoy finally occupied the seat of power in Malacañang. Will he make true his promise of New Philippines with zero corruption, an anathema to development? Would he lead us to truth and a straight path with no detours and shortcuts towards development? Hmm, familiar rhetoric. But beware of rhetoric. We would not stay there that long. We'll still go back to the earth.
The better drawing of the battle lines this early has shown that addressing this problem is easier said than done by the past administration. Doing that would not allow us to be taken only on a joyride. Despite having been critical of his term therefore we should all join forces in the spirit of EDSA participating in his program with the government. And where all this starts if not in our respective barangay our true home is actually where we are all stakeholders in development. Wishing him the best of luck and hopefully, his government would fulfill its avowed promise of development breaking probably all the records set by his predecessors not addressing at all instead aggravating the problem of earning all failing grades after their terms. This is his moment as in a song to move on and proved they were all wrong. Or we would soon reap whirlwinds from rhetoric and excuses again. But PNoy should work doubly hard. The odds incidentally are against him. He was more of a liability as a lawmaker having not formulated relevant laws of the day. His moral ascendancy is also suspect as their family's Hacienda Luisita was secured through dubious means with some killing incidents involving farmers there personally instigated by him before he leapfrogged at Malacañang through 2010 election COMELEC officials linked to Conspiracy manipulating said election through rigging PCOS machines reason some Election Return ended dumped in garbage dumpsites like in Cagayan de Oro City. Professionals too rendered him psychologically imbalanced after discovering fits of unpredictability shown by his certified "Ngiting Aso" stance on relevant issues later. Hostage Crisis in Luneta killing Chinese Nationals from Hongkong, erratic love affair and ramming the issue of having Judiciary subordinated to the Executive harassing no less than its Chief Justice Renato Corona. The Impeachment Case against Corona progressed in the House of Senate. The spectacle was dramatic as the majority of Senators voted for Corona's impeachment save for Madam Miriam Defensor Santiago, Joker Arroyo and I think Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos. The result however proved to be the undoing of PNoy as wholesale buying their votes for millions was later discovered.
Today indeed is the start of that crusade hopefully translating that oft-repeated and much-abused term into simple economics.
Chance or opportunity is another term for economics. It is then behooved that President-elect would have that word in focus as he is starting his crusade for better and effective government. After all, he is an economist though not in the mold of his predecessor. But who knows if a student is brighter and better in practice than his mentor? The momentum is definitely on him. He has all resources – people and money- at his disposal in addressing them. Add the mandate of more than fourteen million putting him in office. The pressure is just too strong. I don't know how he'll handle it. He probably needs unsolicited advice and might have gotten it when he fetched her and took her for a ride to Quirino Grandstand in a limousine as protocol demanded before she too proceeded to the second district in Pampanga taking her oath of office.
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Sr. was once part of the opposition and human rights group and many are thinking aloud if the unsolved assassination issue would be closed by his son and namesake PNoy now holding the reign of power. Time is running past and his term is near ending. So far, he proved the sincerity of his campaign pledge of eradicating graft and corruption sending Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Ramon Revilla to jail. What nerve the student had facilitating the house arrest of once her mentor in Ateneo GMA. For the first time, the country too registered the highest GNP relegating Imbalance by ADMU was wrong albeit his mishandling of the Luneta Hostage Crisis, PDAP scam, and the still implacable Mamasapano incident killed many SAF Officers and members. The story continues….
Came Rodrigo Duterte's term. Once a Mayor of Davao city, he was touted as Dirty Harry having promised liberation of the country from corruption and most importantly drugs. Marcos' 21 years term was a misplaced attribution. It came later under Duterte's presidency having exceeded his campaign promise with his build, build, and build a program of infrastructure development all over the country. He poured out needed resources never mind if it means an additional burden to the next government. Atty. Sta. Maria disclosed the bad implication of this:
That means each Filipino will owe P130K to pay forward because of this project.
Wow!
He has also reenergized the country's Bureaucracy dropping right from public service those proven to have dipped their hands inside the Cookie jar of corruption. His War on Drugs practically made a mark many were shaking while business sectors applauded for destroying drugs and users all over.
''I would not stop this crusade until the last remaining Druglord has vanished from the face of this country," he always emphasized. Easier said than thought as usual given the ramifications of this curse. But good that he seriously started it all leaving a blueprint on how to address that malady. This is the reason why the just-installed President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is requesting him to still sit down in the Cabinet as Drug Tsar.
This book did not include in the meantime any analysis of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Presidency. He was just yet enthroned at Malacañang Palace. There are many issues to be resolved yet. The most glaring is the just concluded National Presidential election in which he won by a landslide of 31M votes against VP Leni Robredo's 15M. Note the more than half differentials attributed to Bongbong. Could this be accounted as the second highest majority vote after the people give Joseph "Erap" Estrada their majority mandate last 1998 National election? No! It's on the result of percentages won not on population because population changes, cleared by PDI Columnist Nery.
But wait there's an independent audit conducted by Triumvirate Franklin Isaac, Lagman, and Rios of the IT Trio showing how the just concluded election was rigged to appear that Bongbong Marcos got his mandate from the people. Not sure when the issue would have its final closure. Hopefully, there is still time before he officially assumes that important highest post on June 30, 2022, in Malacañang. He did but nowhere could be found the missing link between his remarkable 31M majority votes against 15M Robredo's votes. The IT Trio concluded there's something miracle that happened last May 9 election starting with the first turnout at 8:17 PM. How could there be a replication of similar output on the succeeding 2nd to 8th voting turnout ending 2:32 AM the following day of May 10,2022? Not even Dan Brown is needed to decipher that stupid number. Their verdict Pres. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. won all right on SD Card only not on legit voting turnout subject to actual manual votes count. As proof of their contention is the indomitable 68%-32% series of Voting turnout since May 9 of voting. This writer further requested analysis and assessments of this result from a Professional Statistician. But so far, no answer probably overwhelmed what she thought to be irreconcilable data. The writer is a graduate student in Sociology and frankly like any taxpayer, how they come out with almost identical results still baffles him.
(Source: Pink Army. Retrieved 07014-2022)
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Fast forward past EDSA. As an officer of the Knights of Columbus, it is normally incumbent upon us to honor our fallen Fourth Degree brothers of our Assembly giving them decent and colorful Necrological service and burial. "Time flies, remember death!" we are reminded. One that touched this writer beyond this practice of honoring our fallen brothers as practical Catholics happened. But this was an ugly experience of the past defying description and hitting you real hard beyond human comprehension.
Across the chapel where I spent vigil was another chapel with two military personnel their casket draped by the Philippine flag. Personally, it was the first time I observed a chapel with two caskets. Incidentally, only three people were spending the vigil. Along the road was their service vehicle parked with holes all over, an indication they were peppered with bullets thus, killing instantly four of them while on their way home after negotiation with the rebels in Veruela, one of the river towns in Agusan del Sur.
But what caught my curiosity was the declaration of the woman, a sister of one of the casualties that the incident happened right after the negotiation. Who else could have done it if not those of the other party engaging in double-crossing?
The scene was reminiscent of a woman and a toddler standing on a box on a pier waiting for the boat to carry them back home to the Visayas. That wooden box was the casket actually of her fallen husband who was in the military.
Many similar images were playing on my mind down the memory lane from this incident. Vereula of course was my first assignment as Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer. I wrote too and compose many songs including "Magsasaka" which won me 3rd price in National CARP Songwriting contest in 1991 prompted me to add twelve others and packaged them into Himig Mindanao, a CD now on sale on market.
That's more personal and the lighter side of it. Incident-wise, the experience buried a dark spot in my subconscious. First, Victoria of an earlier anecdote was the same Salome a registered nurse and first cousin in Mindoro who became one of the casualties in an ambush of a military jeep carrying military officers on their way home to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. The rebels asked forgiveness later and even offered financial help to atone for their miscalculation brutally killing my cousin in broad daylight who was and never a party of the military she is a registered nurse except for taking her to ride home that afternoon which turned out very costly. But again, the incident simply overtakes faster before they could even think of.
What could be done when she now became an added statistic to continuing struggle, we don't know how many more innocent lives would be charged as excesses. What is there to remedy when damage was already done and committed? Too many questions indeed to ask but answered merely with an equally elusive answer or whimper.
Then there's Renerio Cagang, my bosom friend, back then at Xavier University in the early 80s whom I have not seen since we parted our ways in 1981. He went to the hills and became the top commander in Bukidnon with a P500,000.00 reward for his capture. The last time I heard him straight from his men in San Luis, Agusan del Sur was when he too became a victim of double-crossing, his body looks like Ninoy Aquino's double in a casket indicating the damage inflicted when the other party in the negotiating table went back and fired against him and companions with a hail of bullets sealing the fate of their negotiation in 1986. What a clincher of a truce here? What a waste of life!
Another is the incident involving that very promising beautiful, talented and naïve lady student of MSU-IIT, Iligan City, Mindanao, who earned sobriquet as Maam Nars because of the way she took care of afflicted and gullible farmers in highland Bukidnon. Her fragile body was unfortunately found dead among many casualties in one encounter in Bukidnon. Her dream of helping her fellowmen just ended that fast without even realizing her vision.
Similar tragedies are seen in many other true-to-life stories of good Filipino men and women dragged into the limelight of that wrong war not of their own making their numbers piling the already long list of faceless casualties. Some were not as lucky as parents eagerly expecting the return of their beloved sons and daughters. There's a mother who is still waiting to see his beloved son – a student leader – who never went back after his abduction by military men; an elderly mother waiting to see his beloved son comes back after serving a parish and being forced to join the Nationalist struggle for democracy and never went back later. When? This is yet to be seen. Until they would be reunited the son surrendered back to the fold of government after going up into the hills, peace remains an unfinished business. Same story, same pattern, same results among the military. Bottom line –death and deprivation of parental care among remaining families. Yes, hostility or restlessness is as ugly as war.
Living in Mindanao with all those implacable hostilities, hostage-taking, and terrorism happening around us right before our eyes just sends us trembling down in bone and marrow far more than we imagine. Add the senseless beheading by Abu Sayyaf, hostage-takings of innocent International Red Cross personnel, clergy, missionaries, teachers, and innocent persons – constitute too that war crimes against the norms and standards set by Geneva Convention in 1948 and Protocol II.
Hostage-taking particularly is so pervasive and unpredictable that it has been so rampant it has become a sunshine industry among terrorists. Add those senseless killings of men in the media industry and you get a familiar picture of crime against humanity. No wonder we have dislodged Iraq as the most dangerous place in the world for any journalist what with the still-unsolved Maguindanao Massacre which according to legal experts would last more than 200 years to solve given the number of suspects implicated in the killing of more than 50 media personnel. Jhoy Duhay of Mindanao Gold Star Daily was stationed at Tacurong City, one of the casualties was my buddy in the profession although I have not seen him personally.
It's sad that albeit those excesses happening before our eyes, ending those countless innocent people as additional statistics of crimes against humanity, there's hardly a collective resolution of addressing them to avert further escalation of hostilities. Even in those drug related-industry, many suspects ended up freed than prosecuted, as complained by officers who apprehended them. But of course, this is already another story.
Notes from fiction and Epilogue Frequently Ask Questions
1. How long the country was under Martial Law?
Ans: Fourteen (14) long years (Declared Sept. 21, 1972, and ended Feb. 24, 1986, at the height of EDSA People Power); Nine (9) Years if January 17, 1981, is reckoned when it was officially lifted by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. This was prompted by Pope John Paul II's visit to the country.)
2. Reasons for declaration of Martial Law?
Ans: Communism threat; Muslim separatist movement growing in the South; hostility and growing restlessness including 1971 Plaza Miranda Bombing all over especially in Metro Manila. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile's fake ambush was the final last straw leading to and justifying the issuance of PD 1081.
3. How long did Marcos reign?
Ans: Twenty (21) long years. Twelve (12) years or three terms as elected President and nine (9) years under Dictatorship including the declaration of Martial Law on Sept. 21, 1972, towards the People Revolution on Feb. 24, 1986, when he created cult personality through Military Dictatorship thereafter. The first President to be elected thrice was aptly called "Eternal Pres" after winning the third term he garnered 88% votes against two opponents – Alejo Santos of the Nacionalista Party and Bartolome Cabangbang of the Federal Party! He was elected in 1965; reelected President in 1969 and third on June 16, 1981. This must have been the 4th election it seems as Parliamentary Election was conducted on April 7, 1978, his party winning landslide victory not one from Aquino's Laban Party winning a seat in Congress. Declared Martial Law on Sept. 21, 1972, perpetuating himself in power until People Power in February of 1986 installing Pres. Cory Aquino in power.
4. How many were the numbers of rebels back then in 1988?
Ans: 25,000 spread into 42,00 barangays nationwide of which 16,500 NPAs were regulars and 2,500 in Metro Manila. This number was after two years after Marcos' fall in 1986.
5. What happened during a Dictatorship?
Ans: Writ of Habeas Corpus was suspended. Tri-Media was closed down. Curfew imposed. Congress was abolished. Activists and political opposition were arrested. The highly politicized military carried away extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances holding thousands in military camps tortured. 1,500 salvaging and 3,200 extrajudicial killings.
National Treasury raided. Birth of Crony capitalism. People were practically ruled by decrees. (Ed Lingao. A Different EDSA Story. Short Memories, Unfinished Businesses. Feb. 24, 012)
6. How long did Marcos reign?
Ans: Twenty (21) long years. Twelve (12) years or three terms as elected President and nine (9) years under Dictatorship including the declaration of Martial Law on Sept. 21, 1972, towards the People Revolution on Feb. 24, 1986, when he created cult personality through Military Dictatorship thereafter.
7. Brief Biographical sketch of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos. (Born: Sept. 11, 1917; dead- Sept. 28, 1989 Honolulu, Hawaii.)
Ans: 1935 – political murder of Nalundasan by then 18 years old Ferdinand with a 22-caliber rifle. Nov. 1939 young law student was indicted for killing and convicted by District Court. Case appealed to Supreme Court in 1940 where the conviction was overturned despite strong evidence of guilt through the influence SC Justice George Malcolm, previously Dean, College of Law who bail Justice Jose P. Laurel of similar case wanted to pay it forward to a bright and promising Lawyer in Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Conscripted as Combat Intelligence of the 21st Infantry Division, caught but survived the week-long Bataan Death March. Rumored to have escaped from prison camp though disputed. He was Special Assistant to Manuel Roxas, the first President of the newly independent Philippines in 1946-47. Married Imelda Romualdez in 1954; elected as Congressman in 1949-59. The apex of his political career came on Dec. 30, 1965, when he was elected Philippine President. There ensued the story of promoting his cult personality.
8. Was Ferdinand E. Marcos a war hero? Are his medals authentic?
No, he is not. Mostly his alleged medals attributed to his heroism were drawings making a myth to perpetuate his memory for posterity.
Then Congressman Bonifacio Gallego pursued this cause documenting relevant cases. His concomitant result – said medals were dubious. Similar results by other concerned parties bear identical results. All medals were just concocted by his men in cahoots with people with questionable credentials again to bolster President Marcos' image.
9. Did Marcos top the 1939 BAR Examination? Yes, he did. But is this the highest ever result? If no, who then is the real highest Bar Topnotcher of all time?
The following were allegedly the result Marcos got:
1. Criminal Law-100%
2. International Law – 100%
3. Legal Ethics -100%
4. Civil Law -98%
5. Procedural Law – 97%
6. Commercial Law -97%
7. Political Law – 95%
Average – 98.01 %
It's Florenz Regalado from Concepcion, Iloilo. His Phil. BAR Examination result in 1954 was 96.7% (Torres, Tetch (2Aprill 2007) UPDATE 2006 BAR Results out Tuesday. PDI. Retrieved 2 Jan. 2011) Discrepancy? There are some studies in that Marcos' number was doubtful.
10. How was the economy back then under President Marcos?
Ans: the Philippines was second only to Japan during his term. US dollar exchange rate was P2.00 to $1 US. One centavo can buy one lollipop. Rice was in ganta, not kilo. The country reached its sufficiency in rice production and for the first-time exported rice in 1977 through Masagana 99 launched in May 1973. M-99 means producing 99 cavans almost 5 tons of palay to a hectare. Agricultural inputs were in abundance. Through US National Security Study Memorandum or NSSM 200 however headed by Henry Kissinger, Pres. Richard Nixon's miracle man, the Philippines one of his target among 13 countries to lower its population, the country would soon nosedive its economy. US Economic Hit Man Shultz made this possible by doing dirty work for Uncle Sam. His 1983 Manila visit for instance made possible the 20% devaluation of the Phil. peso adding further burden in liquidating already increasing problematic foreign debt. (Jules Ragas Troyed the Philippine Green Revolution.
August 16, 2012)
From an earlier GDP accomplishment, Marcos in his 19 years in office (1966-1985) could only muster a 3.83% average behind Cory Aquino's 3.86%.
11. How much money was amassed by Pres. Marcos?
Ans: There were varied figure entries here $10B reportedly stashed away in a secret offshore account in the names of dummy entities like William Saunders and Jane Ryan for the couple respectively. The $4B or P167.636 were recovered funds by PCGG to the National coffers from 1987 until July 2014 comprising assets and properties connected to Marcos Swiss accounts, his relatives, and alleged cronies. (INFOGRAPHIC: Marcos' loot by numbers. GMANETWORK.COM)
The Guinness book of records would register the couple later in 1989 "with the largest ever theft from a government an estimated $5-10 B, a record they still hold today." (The Guinness Book of World Records. Bantam. 1989)
Furthermore, the ABS-CBNnews.com posted on 02/12/2014 reported that 1.3B Marcos' loot, or around US429 hidden wealth was held up in litigation in Singapore. The funds might not be used for the compensation of human rights victims as enough funds of P10B were already budgeted for them under the Law.
There's the graphic narrative of ASIAN JOURNAL detailing how the First couple systematically plundered the money of government coffer's leaving it clean and dry starting 1976 towards 1986. The figures would certainly make your mind reeling. With the remaining Marcos family posing a possible comeback in the political field, the clincher ended with the very important request – PLEASE PASS THIS IMPORTANT PART OF PHI HISTORY TO YOUR FRIENDS, SO WE WILL NOT FORGET . . .
12. How about Imelda Marcos?
That she has been complicit by her husband Ferdinand E. Marcos is a mere platitude. Suffice it to say that she was instrumental in amassing the wealth of the nation hoarding whatever is their value and keeping it in many banks that secure them beyond public prying eyes.
She was found guilty of 7 counts of graft according to News 5 below. It is punishable by 42 to 77 years imprisonment. She was also barred from holding public office in her remaining lifetime. Were these punishments served and jailed her? Not as everybody knows of. Ironically, those lesser ordinary mortals were instead thrown to prison serving less punishable crimes or infractions.
13. Cory Aquino's contribution to the Filipino people?
Ans: 1. Restoration of democracy after it was clipped under a dictatorship ruled by an Iron Fist.
2. 1987 Constitution drafted after the EDSA revolution is still officially the law of the land.
3. Incorporating of Party-List system in the 1987 Constitution.
14. Numbers of human rights victims under Martial Law?
Ans: Numbers vary – 10,000 were eligible for claims. But numbers ballooned to 42,564
filing their respective human rights claims. This didn't include those who filed in the Regional office. Commissioner Etta Rosales of CHR was among those who filed. She was arrested and tortured in 1976. The numbers contradicted Imelda Marcos' sick joke of not "having pinched even a single Filipino!"(Julie M. Aurelio. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Nov. 11, 2014)
15. How much budget is allotted for human rights claims?
Ans. There's a P8 Billion Fund to be awarded to Human Rights victims. Processing has been facilitated through the Human Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 signed by Pres. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III in Feb. 2013. The same Legal Act will end on May 10, 2016, as prescribed by Law. Initially, P50,000.00 was awarded to individual victims some of whom have already received their respective checks.
It is a universal and inalienable right declared in 1948 and required the duty of States to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedom adopted in the 1993 Vienna World Conference. Specifically, the State assumes to respect, protect and fulfill Human Rights obligations.
16. Were child warriors featured in the hostility?
Ans: Yes. There is no secret to this violation as truth becomes the first casualty of war. There are five (5) disturbing graphics on this on my file showing fighting kids in the country engaged in hostility representing CCP NPA and Abu Sayyaf. It's common knowledge too that minors were used by the military per record.
17. Any saving grace of Marcos during EDthe SA 1986 Peaceful Revolution?
Ans. His prudence in refusing Gen. Fabian Ver's unsolicited advice of bombing Camp Aguinaldo where Renegade Ramos and thousands of soldiers holed in was one. Second withholding firing upon thousands of assembled crowds. These two incidents proved to be his last plausible hurrah revealing his true love for the Filipino people. Otherwise, this would have cost countless lives lost, the deadliest conflagration. Imagine thousands of people as casualties assembled in the 54-kilometer-long stretch along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Manila. For this, he was even perceived and considered a hero by post-Martial Law Media. But it depends on who is speaking about it. The fact remains People Unarmed Revolution was one of the best things that ever happened to the Philippines in Modern History each one can speak freely his mind on different sensitive issues of the day. (Ed Lingao. A Different EDSA Story. Short Memories, Unfinished Businesses. Feb. 24, 2012)
What about his declaration of Martial Law? The country would have been a communist country had Pres. Marcos did not declare Martial Law. Writers would call it the Nationalist struggle for liberation. But take note the government was duly constituted authority with Constitution backing its mandate. EDSA was just another military revolt and Cory Aquino has to legitimize her government by drafting the 1987 Constitution still applicable today. Inclusion of the Party-list in the House of Congress is its new feature. The substance is plausible in that other important marginalized sectors of society are represented. Unfortunately, Pres. Duterte would call it later its abolition for making the government their milking cow let alone using the money to spearhead activities against the government. Not sure though about the final closure of this issue.
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) has the following record.
1. 2,668 incidents of arrest
2. 398 disappearances
3. 1,338 salvaging
4. 128 frustrated salvaging
5. 1,499, killed or wounded in massacres
(Wikipedia. Retrieved 07-14-2022)
14. How much budget allotted for human rights claims?
Ans. There's a P8 Billion Fund to be awarded to Human Rights victims. Processing has been facilitated through the Human Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 signed by Pres. Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III in Feb. 2013. The same Legal Act will end on May 10, 2016, as prescribed by Law. Initially, P50,000.00 was awarded to individual victims some of whom have already received their respective checks.
It is a universal and inalienable right declared in 1948 and required the duty of States to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedom adopted in the 1993 Vienna World Conference.
Specifically, the State assumes to respect, protect and fulfill Human Rights obligations.
15. Were child warriors featured in the hostility?
Ans: Yes. There is no secret to this violation as truth becomes the first casualty of war. There are five (5) disturbing graphics on this on my file showing fighting kids in the country engaged in hostility representing CCP NPA and Abu Sayyaf. It's common knowledge too that minors were used by the military per record.
16. Any saving grace of Marcos during the EDSA 1986 Peaceful Revolution?
Ans. His prudence in refusing Gen. Fabian Ver's unsolicited advice of bombing Camp Aguinaldo where Renegade Ramos and thousands of soldiers holed in was one. Second withholding firing upon thousands of assembled crowds. These two incidents proved to be his last plausible hurrah. Otherwise, this would have cost countless lives lost, the deadliest conflagration. Imagine thousands of people as casualties assembled in the 54-kilometer-long stretch along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Manila. For this, he was even perceived and considered a hero by post-Martial Law Media. But it depends on who is speaking about it. The fact remains People Unarmed Revolution was one of the best things that ever happened to the Philippines in Modern History each one can speak freely his mind on different sensitive issues of the day. (Ed Lingao. A Different EDSA Story. Short Memories, Unfinished Businesses. Feb. 24, 2012)
What about his declaration of Martial Law? The country would have been a communist country had Pres. Marcos did not declare Martial Law. Writers would call it the Nationalist struggle for liberation. But take note the government was duly constituted authority with Constitution backing its mandate. EDSA was just another military revolt and it has to legitimize itself by drafting the 1987 Constitution still applicable today. Inclusion of the Party-list in the House of Congress is its new feature. The substance is plausible in that other important marginalized sectors of society are represented. Unfortunately, Pres. Duterte would call it later for its abolition for making the government their milking cow let alone using the money to spearhead activities against the government.