During the first EDSA, the Marcos Loyalists had General Fabian Ver as the epitome of what a Marcos Loyalist should be. He was ready to shoot at the Cory Supporters if Marcos had ordered it. There was even an anecdote that if Marcos ordered Gen. Ver to jump out of a building, Gen. Ver would have asked, “from which floor, Sir?” On the other side of the story, there was Cardinal Jaime Sin who was considered as the moving spirit of the Cory supporters. He appealed for the people to go to EDSA. Three years earlier, there was a Ninoy Aquino who was assassinated at the tarmac who death fanned the flame of hatred against an oppressive regime that ruled the country for more than two decades. Some 1 to 2 million people that massed on EDSA in front of Camp Crame was cited as the deciding factor that ended an oppressive regime. However, there were about 60 million Filipinos then who others say, were all along never involved in the process and were merely fence-sitters!
During EDSA 2, the main issue was “jueteng” the numbers game that was allegedly used by President Erap as source of fund to finance his decadent lifestyle. There was an unusual central character in the person of Governor Chavit Singson who was the whistle blower of the blatant corrupt activity of his friend. He was EDSA 2′s first balimbing only to be followed by majority of Erap’s cabinet specifically his DSWD Secretary with a name Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  The Erap Loyalists were no match with the Balimbings. Thus, the installation of a new President decided over by about 200,000 GMA supporters that massed in front of the EDSA Shrine together with the Balimbings from Erap’s cabinet and backed by the military balimbings happened. Some 80 Million Filipinos felt they were simply left out. All along they were never involved in the process and were merely fence-sitters!
The current crisis that beset the GMA regime has TRUTH as the central issue. After last Friday’s Interfaith Rally in Makati where an estimated 70,000 made their presence felt, can her regime survive the mob? There were major issues in the past that were raised against the GMA government: the Hello Garci controversy and the Jocjoc Bolante Fertilizer Scam to name a few. But the GMA government just like a slimy “Palos” was able survive. Then came a probinsyanong intsik named Jun Lozada. Will there be another EDSA? Will the GMA loyalists led by its main strategists like DILG Secretary Puno and Justice Secretary Gonzalez be able to come up with bright solutions to protect GMA? The oppositionists are shouting a different line: tell the truth. During the height of the Garci scandal, GMA came out with the infamous “I am sorry” clip. Jocjoc Bolante is now safely jailed thousands of miles away in the US of A. The catholic bishops are demanding the recall of Executive Order 464 which is perceived as the tool to prevent the truth from being told. As I was writing this article (Sunday, March 2, 2008), the news advisory on the TV said that the bishops might consider demanding for GMA’s resignation if EO 464 is not recalled.
Will the 85 million Filipinos who are fence- sitters as of the moment slowly get themselves counted in and become the deciding factor to remove an allegedly corrupt and incompetent regime or will they remain as fence-sitters and will not be involved again in another “democratic process?” If they will decide to remain as fence-sitters, I could not totally blame them because they have all the reasons to stay as such. PGMA have been delivering the required services to them! And they are satisfied with her performance. Hey, the poor garbage gatherers from Payatas garbage dump and the marginalized rainfed farmers and municipal fishermen in Agusan del Norte have felt PGMA’s caring hands with much support from the LGUs and the NGOs!
A few minutes ago, today, wednesday, 05 March, 2007, Malacanang announced that after a meeting of its legal panel and the CBCP, PGMA decided to recall EO 464. But the Senators quickly reacted that it is a ploy because although the Cabinet men may now be allowed to attend Senate hearing, Malacanang would still invoke "Executive Privilege" which according to them is provided for in our Constitution Tsk…tsk..tsk..
(to be concluded)
3 Responses to “The Loyalists, the Oppositionists and the Fence-Sitters Part 2”
I’m sure many share your call to “let’s just pray and hope that there will be no bloodshed.” Prayer can indeed bring about near-miracles. It has been said that “Prayer is the omnipotence of God placed in your hands.” Which brings to mind: What is the stand of the religious groups with regard to PGMA? EDSA I of over 22 years ago was seen as having been energized by Cardinal Sin’s stance vis-a-vis the Marcos regime.
Just wanted to recommend a “revise” to make it more “balanced” and less overtly biased…
“Will the 85 million Filipinos who are fence- sitters as of the moment slowly get themselves counted in and become the deciding factor to remove an (allegedly corrupt and incompetent instead of evil regime)or will they remain as fence-sitters and will not be involved again in another “democratic process?”
Why this recommended change? This is because while you have seen and felt the side that is aired over television, you have not felt and heard the side of peoples oranizations working with agencies of government through which they get access to power, water, housing, and other social services. You have not heard the side of thousands of other urban poor who have gained benefits through programs that have reached them in their areas. In short, there was a lot of good things that was done too, and that perhaps is the reason why support for PGMA at the provinces is still strong. In fact, can you hear people from Tondo and Payatas still eager to topple her down?
Sir, at the outset, let me express my heartfelt gratitude for first,
visiting my blog and second, for a very sharp comment.
Sir, let me tell you, I completely agree with your point, that is exactly
what I am driving at, that there are lots of services that PGMA had
delivered to the people that is why the silent majority is still behind
her! I have made a revise on my article please take a look at it. Please give me your feedback on the revise. Thanks.