Tita Cory

            Past president Corazon C. Aquino was simply phenomenal.  Almost everybody just owe her of returning back the compliment she extended to the country specially where it  mattered most. Democracy no less!

How her name beacons in the limelight of democracy and  in the world of politics is unbelievable.  That other countries in the world practiced her People Power – from communist mainland China, Germany, to democratic Asian Countries and still counting -  are vindication on the magic the collective energy of EDSA  bringing about positive result in toppling down authoritarian government. With that incredible feat, she is at par with the great Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and many other world’s great. It’s no wonder that her name was even  nominated by some quarters into sainthood among Catholics  indicating the miracle her sanctity brought about political changes in the country and beyond.

True enough, where past presidents failed too do, Cory did it with finesse  and style through her celebrated transparent good governance. No question that no less than  PNOY owe his presidency to her mother.  So too with the rest of the country who proved to one and all that not all  68 Million  Filipinos back then are that stupid and coward fighting and subsequently toppling the eight years of  Marcos’ dictatorship. But  Cory just did it showing  to the world that no way a dictator could stay that long in office squeezing government’s coffer dry. Yes, how she won on that 1986 snap election might be suspect. But as then Sen. Rene Saguisag, one of her loyal but brilliant apologist bares it in Dong Puno’s highly rated  talk show Viewpoint, he who runs away from the fight naturally lost. Of course, the election was not a cockfight, the opposing gentlemen in the show argued against. So what when Juan then was  there ready to unleash and deliver the coup de grace.  Thanks that People Power saved the day or conflagration would have eaten innocent Filipinos alive. Undoubtedly Marcos’ categorical “No!’ response to then Gen. Ver of bombing  Camp Aguinaldo where  Ramos, Enrile and thousands of supporters holed in  proved to be his last remaining saving grace. That more or less bailed him out  from the infamy of history.

True enough, she did great favor  to Juan by restoring  him back his cherished security and freedom mangled by Marcos. As categorically stated in her inaugural address on the 25^th of February to be magnanimous in victory, she released the first batch of 441 detainees and 39 prisoners in her third day of office.  Horacio Morales, Fr. Ed de la Torre and Lt. Victor Corpus head the lists of detainees released. The next batch included Jose Maria Sison and Bernabe Buscayno and many others.  To prevent arbitrary arrests and detention of ordinary citizens, she restored the writ of habeas corpus, brazenly suspended by Marcos. Defanging the military, she had twenty two overstaying generals including Gen. Fabian Ver axed by ordering them retired. What more  a widow could offer the Filipinos asking for great change?

She also formed the Presidential Commission on Human rights. Though  devoid of any police power, it helped every Filipino seek redress against any human rights violations.   After her declaration of provisional Revolutionary Government, she went on proclaiming the creation of Constitutional Commission primarily tasked in formulating draft of Constitution after consultation with Filipino people all through the country. The same vital document is the 1987 Constitution and By Laws we are now enjoying. 

The transition from dictatorial to democratic was not at all beds of roses though for Cory.  Dwindling economy, $28 Billion IMF debt, sporadic hostilities between the reds and military, bloated bureaucracy, possible resurgence of fascist rule given the power and unpredictability  of Marcos’ loyalist camp, termination of Military Bases Agreement, internecine strife among Muslims separatists in Mindanao above all bread and butter for Juan. These are some of  the challenges facing the new President.  But she faced them nonetheless confronting them one at a time. Upon assumption of office, she did ala Ramon Magsaysay opening  Malacanang to all general viewing public including the lavish display of wealth of the first couple.

It’s been more than two decades since EDSA and yet it seems People Power hardly changed the peoples’ lives. First, we should stopped an orgy of creating other EDSA. Let the spirit of that people power rules and governs us.  Such is the continuing challenge for us today. Indiscriminate firing would still fill the air unabated if there would be no sincerity  in working out lasting peace. Ceasefire would just be in paper. Above all else, let us put into practice what Cory Aquino painstakingly restored for us – democracy. How could we ever fail when we have not practiced it.  Look who controls the economy of the nation? Only the privilege few arrogating upon themselves the great chunk of the country’s economy at the expense of the great majority hardly enjoying the basic necessities of life.  That’s where we should put best our resources as they are in dire need of help. And  having done and restored it,  practice it all the way for good. That way I could say we did  not fail waving Cory’s magic,  the best of way of returning back her compliment with grateful hearts and thanksgiving.