Comments on: Random Reflections on EDSA 2 (slightly updated)

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:16:55 +0000

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.

By: People Power 2 » Blog Archive » Random Reflections on EDSA 2 (slightly updated)

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 02:58:48 +0000

[...] Arao, Rising Sun January 14, [...]

By: Schumey

Schumey — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:45:54 +0000

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!