PHL AFTER EDSA 1: WHERE ARE WE AGAIN?
[PHOTO COURTESY OF MANILA STANDARD -
They're not rejoicing. Militants denounce poverty and the continuing oil
price increases on the eve of the 26th anniversary of the People Power
Revolution. DANNY PATA]
MANILA, FEBRUARY 26, 2012 (MANILA BULLETIN) By CHARISSA M. LUCI - Two
lawmakers said Saturday there is "nothing celebratory" about the 1986 People
Power Revolution, citing the numerous socio-economic issues confronting the
nation.
Gabriela party-list Reps. Emmie de Jesus and Luz Ilagan said the Aquino
government has failed to address pressing issues of galloping oil prices, lack
of basic services for poor Filipinos, and the continued increase in the prices
of basic commodities.
"Nothing is celebratory about the 26th EDSA People Power anniversary. Nothing
is celebratory about incessant oil price hike, power rate hike, and increases in
the price of basic good and commodities, and lack of basic social services for
the marginalized Filipinos," de Jesus said.
"The Aquino government has been deaf to the plea of marginalized women to
repeal the Expanded alue-Added Tax (EVAT) law, Oil Deregulation Law, and the
Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA)," she said.
De Jesus said another round of oil price hike is expected next week, coupled
with continued power rate hike as well as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) price
increase.
She noted that oil companies raised pump prices at least six times this year.
Ilagan agreed with her colleague, saying that "the dire situation we,
especially the women are in, is no different from the economic straits we had
during the first EDSA and it has even deteriorated."
[PHOTO FROM THE INQUIRER PHOTO BY DON
LEJANO]
"A hungry family can not celebrate. The unemployed have no reason to rejoice.
Those about to lose their houses, no matter how humble, will blame the
government and its policies. To those and the regions who have no land to till,
no jobs or way to cope with rising prices, only know that EDSA is a road which
they may never see or traverse in their lifetime," she said.
For his part, AGHAM party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones said, "if the farmers of
Hacienda Luisita will go to EDSA for the People power anniversary, then we have
a reason to celebrate."
Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said though it
"may be difficult" to celebrate the EDSA anniversary, there is still need to
commemorate the People Power uprising that led to the fall of Marcos regime.
"It may be difficult to celebrate because the basic needs, especially of the
poor, have not been adequately addressed after all these years. But it is
important that we remember the significance of EDSA - that the people's united
action ended a dictatorship," he said.
Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said "we should have a tempered celebration of EDSA
since there is a gap between its promises and its outcomes." "But that it
brought back democracy is unquestionable, though a rather imperfect one, in
terms of delivery of economic development and poverty reduction."
Disagreeing with his colleagues, AKO Bicol party-list Rodel Batocabe branded
as "quite an unfair" the observation made by Gabriela party-list lawmakers,
saying that "EDSA 1 gave us the most valuable gift --- the restoration of our
freedoms and democratic institutions."
"Were it not for EDSA, Rep. De Jesus and I would not have been in Congress
now. If we still have the same problems, it is our continuing responsibility to
unite and work hard to fulfill the expectations and dreams of our people in
EDSA1," he said.
BLOGGER WATCH
The Philippines After EDSA I - Where Are We Again?
FROM: http://alessmiranda.hubpages.com/hub/The-Philippine-Politics
By AlessMiranda
One of my rules is to not write about topics I don't really know much
about. I don't claim to know much about the Philippine politics. But I think I
know enough because I've lived in this country since, well---birth. I am a
Filipino and a tax payer, therefore, I believe it's my right to have an opinion.
In my mind, EDSA 1 was not as much Victory to this country as everyone else
deems it to be. You see, Marcos did not step down. Marcos was supposed to just
go in hiding apparently as he thought the US was a friend. Much to his
disappointment, his trip to Hawaii was actually an exile for him and his
family.
Looking at how our leaders have been doing for the past decades, I could say
that Marcos was the best president we ever had if not for the greed of power. He
had a huge dream for this country and I suppose it was for the good of all. But
we don't want greedy people in power, do we?
But look at us. Look at the government we have.
Look at the millions of poor families who can't even manage to eat
twice a day. The rising prices of commodities, environmental destruction, the
crazy traffic, and the list goes on.
There IS something wrong. It's been almost three decades since EDSA 1, when
we "apparently" ousted Marcos. But hey, how much is the peso to 1 Ringgit?
Even more, how much is the peso against Singaporean dollar?
We have to call OFW's "new heroes" because they bring in the money to our
country.
Do they even realize what waste of human value it is if we send a person
abroad for hard labor? What I mean is, they could be working here, they could be
paying taxes too, they could be looking out for their children, if only our
government is persistent enough to create more jobs.
But instead, we send them off somewhere just to get dehumanized or killed ---
if they're not so lucky. How can they still be so proud of that?
I think we have to raise our bar as to what is enough for us.
We can't be pleased with a government who does little to alleviate the hunger
of our fellow Filipinos.
We can't be easily pleased with seeing people do "lousy" jobs in running our
village, office, city or country.
We have to work as if we are abroad.
Afterall, next to loving God is loving our Country. It seems it has become
our habit to oust presidents who don't do their jobs well, but have we ever
looked at ourselves to see if we do "our" jobs well?
If we think EDSA 1 was a victory, we have to live its lesson everyday.
Otherwise, I would imagine the late Ferdinand Marcos in heaven with a tongue
out, mocking us.
As the last phrase in our National Anthem goes, "ang mamatay ng dahil
sa'yo" (to die for the country).
If the late Benigno Aquino came home to the Philippines to die for the
Filipino people, It should be our duty as Filipinos to die to live the essence
of EDSA.
"The Filipino people are worth dying for," according to Benigno Aquino, Jr.
Are we really?
VIDEO: NATIONAL SONG: ANG BAYAN
KO
FROM YOUTUBE:Uploaded by DrBillRamos on Aug 1, 2007
A tribute to the classic art of Fernando Amorsolo, the powerful
filipino song, Bayan ko, and the timeless artist, Kuh Ledesma. The song is taken
from Kuh's newest album, K. It is a precious collection of filipino songs given
a neo-ethnic sound through the expertise of Bob Aves. This album is The
Philippines' proud contribution to World Music. Though the song may promote
nationalism, let us not forget that we are all ONE. Let this be a celebration of
the beauty of diversity and uniqueness. Any thing unique, we value. Any thing we
value, we lovingly accept.
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
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