The CBCP got it right this time. The bishops’ statement on our country’s looming political crisis upholds the constitution by respecting democracy’s due process and respecting the separation of the Church and the State. With it they did not only fulfill their duty as pastors of the people, but also gave a gentle reminder to everyone involved that they lay aside personal interests and put forward objectivity: to the politicians who, most often than not, are driven by partisan lines rather than principle, to the media which are prone to personal biases and sensationalism, to the people who are easily swayed by calls to put the constitution in their own hands. I cannot argue enough that the CBCP echoes the sentiments of the silent majority, of the many hardworking employees of Makati alienated and inconvenienced by rallies held in the business district, of ambitious students in our universities learning all they can to become better citizens in the future, and of millions of other Filipinos in the provinces marginalized by Imperial Manila. All of these people want lasting change that will never and can never happen – as the EDSAs teach us – by simply unseating a president. True change happens when people uphold the law and strengthen national institutions. This means that law-breakers are tried in courts, not in the streets. The challenge for everyone amidst this crisis is to act with common sense; that is, to assume an objective outlook on the issue, to look beyond political biases, and consider some lessons in history before taking things in our own hands. It is worthwhile asking ourselves “Is another EDSA going to change anything?” Not much really. In the same way as cancer is not successfully treated with one dose of medicine and a weak body, rooting out corruption and promoting transparency require strengthening democratic institutions and call for a change in people's attitudes - especially among our leaders.
One egregious figue in yesterday's rally in Makati is that Erap was there. Wait, was he not the president ousted seven years ago by EDSA 2? Talk about politics.
 | Conrado de Quiros put it best:
"Corazon Aquino is asking Arroyo to resign because she is corrupt, the schools are asking Arroyo to resign because she is corrupt, business is asking Arroyo to resign because she is corrupt. And the Catholic bishops are asking Arroyo to remain because she can help fight the corrupt? That has got to be the joke of the century."
=) |
| By the way, i was in the rally last friday, along with a host of law students from UP, Ateneo, UST and UE. And we didn't go there because we hail Erap or any political figure for that matter. We went there because we are sick and disgusted of this government's prostituting the entire political system. Yes, we are ambitious students trying to learn everything we can. But we also do anything we can to be better citizens not of the future, but of today and now. |
 | What the bishops want to accomplish is to respect due process. If Gloria is corrupt, then we shall prove this using due process. Truth always prevails, and we must bring it out using the least disruptive means our democracy and our constitution allow. For once in our history let us prove that we have outgrown our EDSA mentality. And besides, respecting due process might save us from opportunists ready to snap up power up for grabs after this hullabaloo. |
Comment deleted at the request of the author.
| exactly the point bro. but what do we do when the very person upon whom we wish to accord due process disrespects, subverts and prostitutes the entire legal and socio-political processes? wait and see what happens next?
we are all for truth. but who's keeping truth from being out? who's prohibiting cabinet officials from appearing before the senate? who's kidnapped Lozada in a desperate effort to quiet him?
where's due process in all that? |
| You have a point mate. But we cannot correct a mistake with another mistake. To strengthen our democracy, we must try this time to work out problems by making use of what a democratic system allows - that is, due process. The corrupt are taking advantage of their power to bend the law. Hence, we can do our nation a bigger favor by not distorting our laws any further.
Needless to say, many people - sadly, not all of them - who go to the streets have the right intention in mind. But their choice of how to fix the problem can make things, in the long run, much worse. |
 | Hi Andrew and Chris O. I miss hearing you guys intelligently converse.
While we do not agree with the rhetoric of those who have vested political interests, it must be said that this present administration truly is just messed up. And I do not even mean that in terms of the so called "accepted standards and norms" expected in dirty politics. They have created new levels of corruption and greed!
And because of this, it is inevitable for people of various political colors to converge in order to get rid of the most pressing present evils in our society. Cory and Erap on the same side does not necessarily mean that they have compromised their values. It means that even though they cannot stomach standing beside each other, they must do so in order to create a united front because of their disgust at the present administration. It is that rotten!
For who among us can really claim that we have always been on the "right" side of history? Who among us can shout to the world that we are purists and therefore will not join legitimate democratic gatherings which are "tainted"?
As to "due process", right, let us allow the DOJ and Gonzales to lawfully and fairly look into the matter. Oh, and let us wholeheartedly trust the Office of the Ombudsman and Guttierez because they have proven themselves to be public servants of top-caliber.
Let us not forget that the Senate hearings are part of due process also. However, "executive privilege" prevents the truth from coming out.
Rallies? I agree that this is not the end-all-be-all solution to the crises we now face. The administration might think otherwise, though, because my own two eyes saw troops blocking rallyists from the provinces. EDSA might not be what we exactly need right now. There has got to be another way though. A fresh, creative way.
What is it?
Well, Filipinos can and will rise to the challenge. Let us all think and pray about it. |
| Think, and pray hard, and deal with it with a lot of prudence. Nice one mate. |
 | I know Chris is a law student. I once was but had the misfortune of giving up my studies to work abroad. For God's sake Chris, what do they teach in law schools nowadays? Where's the presumption of innocence? What if, and this is only if, it will be proven beyond reasonable doubt that GMA & FG had nothing to do with the ZTN deal, you cannot say later that you were on the wrong side of the fence during the controversy. It is easy to accuse but to substantiate the accusation is something not one of the Senate witnesses has ever done yet. So, hold your punches friend....there are always two sides to a coin ... and you've seen just one side of it. As a future lawyer, I advise you to be more circumspect with your stand but just the same, I find you an intelligent guy our country will be proud of. |
| Thanks for the compliment.
You see, politics is not like being in the cafeteria - you can't pick and choose. The issue is beyond just the NBN--ZTE deal. The issue is about this administration's moral fitness to govern.
This is about the "Hello Garci" controversy (which immediately renders this administration's mandate questionable, at best), the Jocjoc Bolante fertilizer scam (which was allegedly used to fund GMA's needlessly extravagant campaign), enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings (as affirmed by no less than the UN Human Rights Committee), the North and South Rail projects, the Telecoms Franchise Bill, and now, the Spratlys sell-out. Res ipsa loquitur.
This is a political question. The principle of presumption of innocence clearly does not obtain. Maybe you're referring to the general presumption of regularity, and perhaps even due process of law.
But you see, the requirements of due process of law do not demand that we dispense with common sense. It does not bid us to blissfully believe that everything is just fine.
While it may be true that the Senate investigations have not rendered any conclusive findings, testimonies adduced therein direct us to the truth. The whole truth may not be clear as of the moment; but that is only because this administration has made it VERY difficult to arrive at the truth. Instead of addressing the issues pointblank, it chooses to skirt the issue by hiding behind the veil of executive privilege. How can we know the other side of the coin when the very person who ought to disclose it refuses to?
And since you asked, we are taught well in UP Law.
Cheers. :)
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