philippine political panorama

so many voices, so many ideas about changes in our country, the Philippines. we are drowning in too many slogans -- we want change, we want new leaders, we want pure heartedness. yes, the philippines is entering another similar era like the one before the fall of the dictatorship. if the alternative groups handle this well, it is most likely that there will be a great revolutionary change through the ballot by 2010. but if the people remain quiet, and just watch how the groups are discussing, arguing, and quarreling among each other, then not much change shall occur.

but i am optimistic about the outcome of this sudden surge of voices in the air. we have not had that for a long time, ever since edsa 20 actually. people were at first afraid after that time, then they became desensitized to all talks about clean politics, then they woke up suddenly when the manila penn siege happened. but the wake up was only a great interest in politics, not exactly participation. people will discuss but not participate actively in politics.

then in the elections of 2004, the urban poor came and in droves supported fpj, their interest only to be thwarted by the hello garci method of insuring a favorable outcome for the incumbent.

when fpj died, the more the urban poor quieted down. but then in 2007, there was a higher zeal to bring about change, and the opposition won overwhelmingly over the administration candidates. lampaso, wika nga. presidential impeachment moves over mismanagement, corruption and other charges however failed and failed all the time as the house of reps is controlled strongly by the administration, using carrot and stick all the time to make the reps toe its line.

now it's 2009. we are all gearing up for another showdown, in 2010, this time with many contenders for the presidential post. Among Ed, Manny Villar, Kabayan Noli de Castro, Loren Legarda, and even newly-elected senator Chiz Escudero with Ping Lacson at the tail-end. The hopefuls are all enthusiastic about being tossed in the limelight as prime contenders for the highest post of the land.

So now, the people are watching again -- kara y kruz, manalo-matalo, sa pula sa itim, etcetera. 2010 will be a time for them to earn cash or merit good leaders who will guide them to prosperity and peace. meanwhile, the abu sayyaf is having a heyday, capturing and holding hostage innocent victims.

as the political stories are unfolding, the women's movement is in the doldrums with a whimpering show of strength in backing up nicole, the raped-turned around victim changing her story. in the other settings, women's groups are creating an edge in the economic sector -- both underground and overground. Teresita Sy-Coson is holding her ground as one of the primemovers in the Sy empire's capturing international recognition of their financial accumulations. Others are ms. Juan of Figaro Coffee, and a host of quiet women-achievers. Unfortunately, in the field of politics, only Legarda seems to be consistent in playing an equal field with the men, although not much of her bills are being talked about. Other senators like Pia Cayetano, Jamby Madrigal and Miriam Defensor-Santiago now and then have issues to talk about in the media but on the whole remain second or even tertiary as important sources of ideas compared to men who hog the media limelight when it comes to talking about national and local issues. More so in the house of reps, where women's voices are terribly muted.

Yet, the most significant field where women should count is in politics. Liza Masa is a good voice of the left, but sometimes the too many demonstrations she and her groups hold in the streets make the people demo-phobic. They should try varied methods of approaching political issues instead of the cut-and-dried marching in the streets.

In the alternative movement, we need another Cory-like inspiration of the 80's when Marcos the dictator rules the country, someone who can rally the people to move as one in toppling corrupt, incorrigibly corrupt, and worst corrupt administrations ever.

Where is he or she? Or even where are they? In the next months we hope to find the person or persons strong enough to face the legal, political and all kinds of battles.