A pyrrhic win?
Credit to Author: RENE SAGUISAG| Date: Thu, 16 May 2019 17:58:35 +0000
ABUL Khayr Dangcal Alonto, the chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) passed away, at 73, last May 9, reportedly from pneumonia.
I first heard about him when I returned from abroad in 1971, at San Beda Law, where he, I was told, had dropped out earlier in protest over the Jabidah massacre. He eventually went underground to fight Marcosian human rights abuses. He never returned to his law studies. He was among the idealistic young patriots whose career path was derailed by Martial Law. We last met some months ago in the Senate gallery. He did not sound like he had lost the starry notions of our youth.
My gad, my generation is going. I’ll be an octogenarian later in the year and I doubt that I will follow nonagenarian JPE in age. It’s up to the Lord really on how to deal with us mala hierba, or masamang damo. As Prez Cory would say, “when the Lord calls, you go.” No motion for reconsideration entertained by Sanpiro or Kalawit. And He has just called darling Doris Day, beloved of our generation. And yesterday, I read about Cong. Meniong Teves’ passage, at 99. Very old school and we are told he had perfect attendance in the House. giving the people top priority.
Prez Cory ballyhooed me as Saguisag ng Pangulo in my 1987 Senate run (some called me Sagisag na Pang gulo, which my remarkable pal, Sal Panelo, reminds me of). I landed No. 8 among 24 winners. I didn’t have to spend a single singkong duling of my own; in Metro Manila, only Orly Mercado beat me. Harry Roque now says, no half a billion buckaroos? Forget it.
My lawyer son, Rebo, Jr., won as Makati councilor, No. 7, despite being deemed unworthy of support by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). I had represented parties in conflict with it. I doubt that its captive vote went to JPE, whose firm I assist in the struggle against the powerful group. My respect for INC remains but it should really consider any voter as “a particle of popular sovereignty” (Jose P. Laurel).
Anyway, ang Saguisag ng Makati (Rebo) had not really consulted me on his run but my kids are old enough to decide for themselves; in case of trouble, I’ll be there for them to help decide, etc. Rebo, with little money, was ready for anything. Last Monday, while waiting for the results, at 10:21:40 p.m., he sent this calmative text: “You taught me well. You always get what you pray for.
Or something better.” Good to hear for a Makateño such as I who attended Makati Elementary School (Bundok) and married Dulce of Barangay Palanan, where I, unable to provide the family a home, was her star boarder for decades.
Elsewhere, our national values continue to deteriorate. Our proud and profane Prez says it is OK to give fare money to voters. Where do we draw the line? In the real world, the fare money could be 20 centavos for the tricycle but the voter may be given P500 at least, and keep the change. Wink, wink. Part of the culture, says our defeatist Prez.
I didn’t have to show my ballot to anyone last Monday. But, the world could see how I was voting anyway given the overcrowded no-privacy small room where we seniors and PWDs (persons with disability, or person wildly demented, in my case) were packed. I rightly don’t know whether my ballot was accepted or rejected. I just wanted to walk home with my cane as soon as I could. Maybe a distance of 300 meters.
The INC’s, Bro. Mike’s, Brother Eddie’s or Pastor Quiboloy’s endorsement, if any, may not make one win but lack of it can make you lose. I prefer my Catholic Church’s injunction: Follow your conscience, not that of some high priest.
“Point to me someone who doesn’t buy votes,” Digong dares the polity. Well, my son didn’t nor did I in 1987. I am sure countless others didn’t, either. Rhetoric has a powerful effect on human conduct. Digong’s needless observations or malapropisms will continue to haunt our anti-poor electoral process. The next elections will enhance dominant pro-wealthy dynasts, as our values, institutions and processes continue to slide down and deteriorate. The anti-poor death penalty may be back. The anti-poor drug war may intensify. And the Chinese will claim what is ours and continue to come and do tasks Pinoys can do, treating us as their 24th province.
The presidency must be on a commanding moral high ground given man’s frailties. The Prez should not go down the low road.
I didn’t vote for JPE but would not have minded if he had won. I did vote for Serge Osmeña. Experienced voices, not echoes. The Senate shouldn’t be a House clone.
My heart goes out to fearless Jojo Binay, with whom I shared foxholes during Martial Law, and the Estradas, with whom I fought for the Constitution, and whose pain I also share.
Democracy may have been the biggest loser last Monday, even if every proclaimed winner deserves the benefit of the doubt. I hope and pray that no senator will treat his or her post as a sideline, hobby or diversion. Or whose only foolish question if asked by Digong to jump from a high-rise would be — “From what floor, Sir?”
Else, we may lament with Pyrrhus of Epirus, another victory such as this over the Romans, and we are undone (in one only too real sense).
Après Digong, le déluge?
His current dominative position may be likened to Macoy’s standing in 1975, three years after he inflicted martial law upon a nation of busabos at alipin of the Kastilaloys, the Brits, the Kanos, the Hapones, the Kanos again, the Ilokanos and now, the Davaoeños.
Today, the reopened deep wounds are arguably self-inflicted by and large by our very own timorous people.
Power does not corrupt. It only tends to, per Lord Acton, who then apodictically said, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” That is what last Monday may mean yet. I hope and pray not and would
like to see a transformed, not transmogrified, leader ushering us into his personal 1976, when Macoy finally listened to international criticism and started military trials. We don’t need any old black magic that seems to have the nation under its spell.
On April 6, 1978, Metro Manila erupted in a noise barrage but Macoy and Imelda shut out Laban, 21-0, including Ninoy. who eventually put himself where his mouth was: The Filipino is worth dying for.
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