N.B. – In observance of Bloggers Action Week organized by the Bloggers’ Kapihan crew, please find below a slightly revised version of an essay I wrote in 2004, the original version of which may be retrieved from http://www.librarylink.org.ph/featarticle.asp?articleid=54.
I must confess: While cause-oriented groups and concerned individuals were already at the EDSA Shrine, I spent the whole morning making revisions to my MA thesis proposal on January 19, 2001!
I was supposed to do it the night before (January 18), but I was unfortunately invited by IBC Channel 13 to appear in its special coverage of the impeachment trial. I also failed to finish it earlier since I had to prepare a yearend economic briefing paper I presented at the IBON Birdtalk on January 11. The days after saw media interviews left and right regarding the statements I made, particularly Estrada’s ouster as a prerequisite to economic recovery.
On my way to De La Salle University (DLSU) where I was then enrolled in a graduate program, I heard on radio then President Joseph Estrada’s announcement that he had advised his lawyers to allow the opening of the controversial second envelope.
After submitting my paper to my thesis adviser and panelists at DLSU (and getting the assurance that I will be allowed to submit my thesis next semester), I then proceeded to the EDSA Shrine. As my FX ride reached Welcome Rotonda, I heard on radio the resignation of various government officials and there was also a report that PNP Chief Panfilo Lacson’s withdrawal of support was forthcoming.
“History is unfolding. Go to EDSA now!” I sent this text message to my Journalism students as the FX reached Cubao. Some replied they were already there, while others stated their dilemma of not yet finishing the paper I had required them to submit the next day (January 20).
I told them to temporarily forget about the deadline since their presence at the EDSA Shrine is more important. Upon reaching EDSA — after walking from VV Soliven, negotiating my way through the already mammoth crowd — I immediately went to the UP College of Mass Communication (CMC) tent just beside the EDSA south-bound traffic light. Not surprisingly, I saw most of my students there.
“Times like these bring out the militant in all of us,” I jokingly told a student who admitted being apathetic at first.
I spent the whole night with them, telling stories about EDSA 1 in 1986 and how President Estrada plundered the economy based on the researches I did for IBON Foundation where I was then employed as Research Head.
We also traded various Erap jokes, and we all laughed at the pathetic statement of Erap’s call for a snap election. And then I also remembered all of us cheering after hearing on radio Lacson’s call for Estrada to resign.
For me, EDSA 2 was a sight to behold, as the power of the people is not just manifested by the numbers but by the sheer resolve for social change.
It is unfortunate that, at present, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo does not have the political will to effect social change. The promises of EDSA are conveniently forgotten as the chronic crisis still exists.
If there is one lesson that can be learned as we commemorate EDSA 2, it is the people’s commitment to social change and their resolve to act and contend when necessary.
Indeed, revolution remains an option for those who are deprived, especially in a situation where societal structures and institutions fail to look after the welfare of the marginalized.
The problem after a revolution is people goes back to sleep forgetting what they fought for forgetting the reason why they joined people power. To this day, many will deny they made a horrific mistake subverting the constitution. The marginalized are forgotten because we failed to continue fighting for them. Now we all know how the Arroyo’s maneuvered and exploited the situation. We have all been hoodwinked and are paying for that mistake.
I won’t hesitate to have another go at it but this time, I hope the people will follow through. Unless we uplift the lives of those around us, progress will never be realized.
Reply: Unlike the one in February 1986 which focused more on electoral fraud, the people’s uprising in January 2001 could be considered an improvement in the sense that the people were united in denouncing corruption in government, among other issues. The Left was also not marginalized and became a key player in almost all anti-administration alliances and other formations. I’m sure just like me, you consider the so-called EDSA Tres in May 2001 as simply a self-serving bastardization of people power. Having said that, we should be optimistic that the next people’s uprising will be taken to a higher level in the sense that it will become more ideological. Thanks for your comment!
I hope you are as enthusiastic in calling GMA’s resignation as of now. I need not discuss the proportions and how massive GMA’s corruption even to that of the former president and former presidents. And we are just talking about corrruption per se. How much more if we include all crimes she committed? Note that she is a product of the EDSA 2 that you and the many were fiighting for. If EDSAs or people power is to effect social change, then I don’t see any reason not to use the same means to oust the current president. If you are thinking otherwise or if you are hesistating, then the EDSA 2 is a sham by spirit. If you are still half-hearted by now in committing GMA’s resignation, then, I will almost come to conclude that EDSA 2 then was solely bent against the persona of Joseph ESTRADA and for Gloria ARROYO. To foist the matter of EDSA 2 with people’s commitments and sentiments is nothing but a sugarcoated verbal gymnastics fit for theoretical thesis, but bereft of smart application of reality and what is just in this country. I expect that you still have the EDSA 2 spirit you mumbled about and perhaps you should have informed by now all your students too that they must be ready to once again call forth to put GMA down through what you termed as the spirit of the people. Because if you haven’t, then I doubt your definition of People Power. People power should be a force against evil and corruption, it should not flinch, waver or flicker because she is educated, she is the best we have, because there is no better option, etc….. As long as corruption persists, whoever is the President, we apply the principles of People Power equally and in the same way. That is the essence of Lakas Sambayanan.
Reply: Thank you for your message. As may be gleaned from my most recent blog entries and articles published in Pinoy Weekly, I am doing my share in demanding the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is unfortunate that she failed to fulfill the promises of EDSA 2, particularly the 10-point agenda she signed with cause-oriented groups in 2001. She even had the gall to brand people power as counterproductive. Just like you, I hope that it will only be a matter of time before she gets ousted.