REAL CHANGE TO OUR COUNTRY?
MANILA, FEBRUARY 25, 2012 (ABS-CBN) (Editor's intro: Senator
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., son of the late former President Ferdinand
Marcos, shares his thoughts on the 26th anniversary of the EDSA People Power
revolution that drove their family out of Malacañang. He wrote the following on
his Facebook page, which ABS-CBNnews.com is printing in full.)
In response to several queries (it's that time of the year -- EDSA
anniversary) on my take on the declaration of Martial Law and the events that
took place in February of 1986, there is really nothing more I can add to what
I've already said over the last two decades; and what happened in the past
cannot be changed.
But just to reiterate my view of that period of our history, and for the sake
of those too young or yet to be born in the early 70's, let me try and summarize
how I see it.
Martial Law was declared at a time different from now and I say this
not only in regard to the Philippines but throughout the world including in
western democracies where the youth of those nations rebelled against the
established norms of that era.
In the United States, armed clashes between civilians and police were
frequent and groups such as the Black Panthers, The Weathermen, Students for a
Democratic Society, Chicago Seven, and others, openly declared war against their
government, the most powerful in the world.
Then, even the US military had to be called out to quell violent
demonstrations across their country resulting in deaths of students such as in
the infamous "Kent State University Massacre."
There, at the heart of halcyon middle-class America, the US National Guards
opened fire at the student demonstrators killing four students and wounding
several others.
Bombings of government buildings, arson, street violence were widespread
across the US and in capitals across Western Europe – London, Paris, Madrid,
Rome, and other cities in Europe.
Manila, as well as other Asian capitals, was no exception.
University students here took the same road of militancy and were linked to
leftist labor unions and communist insurgents, and street violence was likewise
widespread in urban areas of the country.
Even for a young 15-year-old like I was then, the militancy of that epoch was
palpable.
But as I've said previously, and at the risk of disappointing, I will leave
to historians, impartial and trained in their field, to pass judgment on the
merits of the declaration of Martial Law seen in that context as it should be.
As for what took place in February of 1986, 26 years ago to this month,
again, I am in no position to pass judgment that would be seen as impartial
simply because of my obvious personal involvement.
Most of what we hear now from all sides are still within the ambit of
propaganda.
But I certainly am concerned with the state of our country today, more than a
quarter of a century since the experience of EDSA 1, as it has come to be known.
I have chosen not to indulge in the "blame game" and rather, invest my energy
in helping move this country forward.
But if comparisons are to be made, and if there is a need to evaluate the
road taken since then and what has resulted from it, it's not difficult to
arrive at answers, provided we ask the right questions.
Has poverty been alleviated?
Is the wealth of the country more equitably distributed?
Do we have more jobs available at home?
Has there been a rise in the quality of our education?
Are we self-sufficient in our daily food requirements?
Is there less hunger? Crime? Insurgency? Corruption? Basic services? Health?
The same questions can be asked of other countries, our neighboring countries
specifically, and see whether we can answer the same way they would.
China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia can all point to
the progress they have made these last 26 years but unfortunately, for the
majority of our people, nothing much has changed and today, and just this
morning, a survey placed our unemployment rate at 24% or close to 10 million
unemployed adults.
The country's economic performance last year sunk to a dismal 3.7%
growth.
The problems we face remain daunting and there is still that need for
Filipinos to unite and face these challenges as one nation, with a singular aim
and direction, with a leadership that is willing to make sacrifices and capable
of harnessing the talents of our people.
We have seen what our neighbors have been able to achieve in the last 26
years. There is no reason why we cannot at least match their achievements if not
do better.
We need to change the politics of this country.
Our leaders cannot be forever squabbling, engaging in vindictiveness, wasting
energy and government resources in putting each other down at the expense of
those that need help the most.
Blaming past administrations will not bring food to the plates of the
hungry.
Excuses cannot substitute for performance and results. Promises without
delivery only feed the anger of the people.
Before it's too late, let us all roll up our sleeves and get to work for the
betterment of our country. For all and not just for some.
If there is need for change in people's attitudes and habits, let that change
begin with ourselves.
There is no argument more eloquently made than the one made by example.
In a nutshell, and for the media that have asked for my comments, that's my
"take" on EDSA 1 that's to be celebrated this weekend.
It really has not varied much over the years. Good night and a good weekend
ahead for all of us.
FROM THE INQUIRER
EDSA 1 brought some 'degree of progress' - Enrile
by Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News Posted at 02/24/2012 3:48 PM | Updated as
of 02/24/2012 4:50 PM
[25-YEAR-OLD PHOTO- DEFINING MOMENTS: Senate President Juan Ponce
Enrile, who turned 87 last Feb. 14, points to his portrait taken 25 years ago
during the Edsa people power revolution. Enrile described Edsa 1 as a defining
moment in Philippine history and the country's "greatest gift to the world."
(Photo by JOE ARAZAS/22 February 2011)]
MANILA, Philippines - A key figure in the 1986 People Power Revolution says
he will continue to pray for the country as it marks the 26th anniversary of the
peaceful uprising.
"Kailangan ng dasal dahil maraming mga problema," said Senate President Juan
Ponce Enrile, the former defense minister who withdrew his support from the
Marcos administration in 1986.
Enrile, who now leads the country's 2nd impeachment trial, noted that poverty
and other problems continue to plague the Philippines after the revolution.
"Did it help all the Filipinos? My answer is no. There were those who
prospered and there were those who suffered and are still suffering," he said.
"Tapos na ba ang lahat ng problema ng bayan? Hindi. Marami pa tayong
problema."
But People Power also brought a lot of good things to the country, he said,
including the overthrow of a perceived authoritarian regime, free elections, and
some "degree of progress."
However, he believes more work has to be done
"Ang isang bansa, hindi kayang buuin lamang ng isang tao. Kailangang 'yan ay
gawin ng lahat ng mamamayan," Enrile said.
26 years after Edsa, people still poor says CBCP
By Erwin Aguilon INQUIRER.net, Radyo Inquirer 990AM 9:13 am | Friday,
February 24th, 2012
MANILA, Philippines—Twenty six years after Edsa People Power 1, there
is no improvement in the lives of the Filipino people, the head of the Catholic
Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said.
In a report by Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP
president Jose Palma said still many Filipinos are poor and the number of
jobless have increased.
He also urged government leaders not to use Edsa 1 celebration for their
political interest following reports that it will be used as a show of force
against Chief Justice Renato corona.
Instead of personal motives, the CBCP head said it would be better if the
celebration will be used to promote development, common good and giving hope for
the public.
We must show that people can work together and maintain the freedom gained
through the bloodless revolution.
The country will commemorate the 26th anniversary of the EDSA People Power
Revolution on February 25.
EDSA People Power was a historic uprising in February 1986 that toppled the
decades-old Marcos regime and catapulted Corazon "Cory" Aquino to the
presidency.
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
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