the date today happens only once every four years so i’m taking advantage and making my voice heard about the hottest topic in the country today.  i have said time and again that i’m not that much into politics, but it doesn’t mean that i don’t keep myself updated with what’s going on in the political sector.  after carefully reviewing and analyzing all the noisemakers’ explanations about what they’re saying–thanks to being out of work and constantly being at home–i’m adding my own two cents worth into the well which i believe, is already filled to the brim with the entire filipino online community’s own contributions.

first off, how does mister rodolfo "jun" lozada’s coming out with the allegations that people in high places profited from a botched government project affect me?  i for one believe him.  not because of his "theatrics" or "trying-hard-to-be-a-local-soap-opera-dramatic-actor" antics of crying in front of national television, but by the consistency of his statements.  lots of other "witnesses" or people directly or indirectly involved with the whole scandal have vehemently issued statement after statement, only to change them and tell another story.  when the entire country is focused on you, you have to be consistent in what you say in public.  if you’re telling a lie (whether you were told to, or just protecting your own ass), then stick to your guns all throughout.  in this way, people would not think about your intentions or doubt which story you’re telling is true or not.  mister lozada’s revalations opened a whole can of worms and exposed how government officials have been doing side businesses using government funded projects and making money out of the taxpayers which has been happening for a long time now, believe me.

second, do i believe that the president, on allegations of also receiving some kind of profit from the dysfunctional government contract, should resign?  the answer is a big fat NO.  but that doesn’t mean that the president enjoys my support.  first and foremost, proper constitutional procedures of justice should be utilized.  if that means having another impeachment trial, then so be it.  i’m not clamoring for the president to resign.  what i’m clamoring for is for the president to submit herself to an impeachment court and clear her name.  do what her predecessor was unable to accomplish:  run the whole course of the trial.  if she’s saying that she or her family did not profit from any government deal, then she should use her executive powers to organize an impeachment trial for herself and members of her family.  in this way, any respect left in the eyes of ordinary citizens for her would stay, and might win her even more sympathizers, err, supporters along the way.  her resignation, snap elections, or so-called "people power" is not the solution to the current political crisis hovering on the country.

third, what do i think of numerous groups calling for a so-called "new people power" to oust the president or ask her to step down and resign?  honestly, they’re spitting in the face of democracy.  we have endured 20 years of dictatorial rule and fought for democracy to be restored only to be trampled on again by mob rule?  what have we become?  the first people power was the most legitimate one made and is the filipino people’s legacy to the world.  we were under a dictatorship and 20 years of hardship was enough.  democracy was restored which we are enjoying today.  i was quite skeptical about the second people power, but i cannot change history.  i could, however, point out that before those two people power movements were made, there was one common event that happened:  a duly legal procedure took place.  in 1986, elections were held, and after mass fraud was seen by elections officers, it led to people power one.  in 2001, an impeachment process was going on, and when the senate jury refused to have one of the evidences presented, voila, people power part two.  today, is there a legal and constitutional procedure taking place in light of these allegations to the president that is being compromised?  i don’t think so.  the current senate investigation is hardly a procedure that would not even make the president think twice of not showing up.  see where i’m getting at?  these so-called "interfaith rallies," and "youth act now" movements, or declarations of a "gloria-free zone" at colleges and universities are just adding bad insult to an otherwise weak and injured democracy.  my message to them:  let the rule of law be precedent before the "sovereignity of the people" is called upon.  instead of pressuring and asking the president to resign, call for an impeachment trial or urge the president to submit herself to an investigation.  that is why we have legal and constitutional procedures.  we cannot always have mob rule run amuck when we’re not satisfied with what’s going on with the government.  otherwise, what we fought for as a nation back in 1986 has really gone to the dogs.  i applaud the catholic bishops’ conference of the philippines for not adding fuel to the deadly fire going on by joining the bandwagon clamoring for the ouster of the president.  i have always perceived the catholic church to be too involved in matters of state, which it should not be.  but their latest stance on the ongoing political crisis somehow restored a little respect back to themselves.

to conclude, let me add one more thing.  in the ongoing senate investigations of the witnesses involved in this scandal, i am so appalled with the notion that even the personal lives of these witnesses will be subject for scrutiny as well.  i mean, what the holy fuck?!  what has the witness’ personal life have to do with what is being investigated?  what one does in his or her personal life which is outside of government or business dealings is a matter privy only to him or her and is should absolutely not be included in the hearings.  so what if mister lozada has another family aside from what he currently has?  was that part of the conversation about the government contract?  so what if any of the other witnesses watches porn every tuesdays and thurdays or cross-dresses every other weekend?  does that really matter?  people conduct themselves differently in different situations.  so please, for the love of all that is good and beautiful left in this world, leave what is personal to the witnesses alone and focus on what’s on the table.

in saying these things, i may be only one person, but i sincerely believe that mine has the voice of reason and that of a thinking man’s objective.  some people easily get swayed by what they see or hear and act blindly.  what’s more sad is that politicians are exploiting these people and pretend to side with them only to have an ulterior motive of their own.  i don’t believe that another people power is in the works.  but here’s a fair warning:  if this so-called "new people power" succeeds and manages to oust the president, then we would earn the ire of the entire world.  we should then abolish the constitution and have just one principle:  mob people rules.  would you then, be proud to call yourself a filipino?