EDSA 20

AT THIS point, I am having serious doubts whether the original Edsa I was nothing but a mere power grab for the Aquino clan rather than a revolution meant to restore our nation’s democracy and freedom. So far, two generations of the Aquino clan have assumed the presidency. Most likely the next Aquino who could succeed the incumbent is his pop star sister Kris. Later, the grandchildren of Cory Aquino can take turns in gunning for the presidency when they are old enough to do so.

My doubts stem from President Benigno Aquino III’s hesitation to nip in the bud the plan of die-hard loyalists and cronies of dictator Ferdinand Marcos to force the issue of forgiving and forgetting the latter’s grievous sins by allowing the interment of his remains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the burial place of those considered heroes in the sense that they protected the nation from the enemies of the state or served as good public officials.

In the case of Marcos, his assets were returned to the government by foreign courts, proving his guilt. Unfortunately, his widow and children, enthusiastically welcomed back by high society, continue to hold on tenaciously to a greater portion of the Marcos loot. In the case of Rizal, Bonifacio and others, the kind of life they lived in selfless service to the country (not incidental acts of heroism proven by medals) was the main basis for considering them as authentic national heroes.

If Marcos is buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, this will prove that the historic Edsa revolution was simply a power grab for the Aquinos. Subsequent celebrations of the Edsa revolution should therefore be scrapped. I do not know why P-Noy would be seemingly more forgiving of a proven dictator and Guinness Book of Records’ world title holder of “most corrupt ruler,” when he himself was so opposed to the corruption under the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, his predecessor.

I support the idea of going after Arroyo, through legal means, if indeed it can be shown that she too stole from government coffers. But if President Aquino forgives Marcos as Arroyo did Erap Estrada, the prosecution of Arroyo will amount to nothing if her party wins the next presidential election. Following “established tradition,” she too will be forgiven and allowed to keep the majority of her alleged loot along with the illegally earned wealth of other members of her family.

It’s so frustrating how politicians keep repeating the same mistake of forgiving the sins of corruption of their colleagues. This is the reason nothing comes out of our attempts to eradicate corruption in our country. In fact, the problem is getting worse because politicians know they can get away with stealing millions, even billions, of pesos from our people—money that could be spent to alleviate the ever-worsening poverty in our country.
—MARY JOAN ANGELES,
joan_a_angeles@hotmail.com