MANILA, Philippines — It is an uncanny coincidence that the most politically vindictive administration was the first Aquino post-EDSA-I government which was understandable in the immediate aftermath of the brutal assassination of Sen. Ninoy Aquino, and subsequent overthrow by people power of the unlamented Marcos dictatorship.
The inevitable retribution was the humiliating exile of President Ferdinand Marcos; then the never-ending chase and search for ill-gotten wealth; the wholesale removal and dismissal of provincial and local executives without due process; and the still unresolved controversy of where the corpse should be buried as a war hero or tyrant?
Corollarily, President Corazon Aquino was spared from criticism and was fortunate that her successor was her own anointed one, President Fidel V. Ramos who wisely directed his energy towards restoring electric power and rehabilitating the economy rather than going after those who plundered the PCGG during Mrs. Cory Aquino’s administration.
On the other hand, FVR’s successor President Joseph “Erap’’ Estrada proceeded to self-destruct due to hubris and reckless display of extravagant lifestyle.
The ill-fated Estrada administration struck back at the Ramos watch by investigating the Clark Expo; AFP modernization fund; hydro power projects; independent power producers; and others that faded away unresolved as then Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was installed as successor to President Estrada by another people power, EDSA-Dos.
The retribution of the people was President Estrada’s removal from office and conviction for plunder for which he served time until pardoned.
Be that as it may, President Estrada believes in his own honesty and integrity which should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Today, the shoe is on the other foot. After nine years of uninterrupted stewardship and allegedly corrupt governance by President Gloria Arroyo, the second Aquino administration is turning out to be even more vindictive than the previous namesake. The cycle of revenge is unending.
That is, persecution leads to crushed family ties, ruined reputations, humiliation, Senate crucifixion, and costly litigation. Philippine politics of retribution leaves many casualties by the roadside, so to speak, from Senate inquisitions to insensitive politicians who then move on to the next one-sided battleground in aid of publicity with scant enlightenment. This is democracy at its ugliest.
When all is said and done, Philippine politics’ penchant for revenge and retribution of political hurts are the major disincentives to economic sustainable growth and national unity.
For these reasons, while revolutions and coup d’ etat attempts inevitably fail in the long-run, they are always a threat waiting in the wings ready to pounce when the time is ripe even in the best of democracies.
To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.’’
You be the judge.
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ROGUES STATES – The United States of America had always regarded Libya and Syria as rogues states and a pain in the neck. America has accused these two tyrannies of being the major sources of international terrorism funding.
The other is Iran. The hatred is mutual. Now, America has the opportunity to dismantle the two autocracies, and subjugate them, if necessary, into total submission... The US is not going to let go of this window of opportunity that the turmoil in the Middle East had provided. While the Middle East history is being rewritten, ancient landmarks are being destroyed.
EMINENT PERSONS FOR SPRATLYS – Since President Benigno Aquino is not knowledgeable in international geopolitics and history, he needs to surround himself with eminent persons and strategic thinkers who can advise him on the Spratlys issue and caution him to think first before talking.
The Ramos administration 15 years ago could not prevent China from constructing semi-permanent silo-looking structures in the Spratlys without provoking a possible armed standoff. China, at the time, was not yet a bluewater naval player. Today, China is building its naval capability towards establishing China as a formidable world naval and military power.
CUTTHROAT COMPETITION – While, tourists and local travellers are enjoying discounted promo fares, the worsening cutthroat competition among domestic airline companies is not only self-defeating but is also detrimental to the airline industry in the long-run.
Before collusion intrudes into the industry owing to government indifference, the civil air authorities should rationalize bunching, scheduling, flight spacing, rates, and come-ons to level the playing field, and reduce the risk factor. The Civil Aeronautics Authority has been negligent in their responsibilities. The local airline companies are killing each other. Abangan.
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