Corruption has existed since the temptation of our first parents in the garden. It is a truth, not a tale, as old as time. We had lived the ages of the earth in it, through it, with it. Since corruption had already become a part of living, its name ringing in our ears does not strike an alarm bell anymore. But a continual toll of issues that concern the national welfare disrupts the ordinary complacency, it disturbs the water, creating ripples that each citizen hope to become a raging tidal wave.
In the Pearl of the Orient Seas, the silver jubilee year of the third millennium saw an interruption of the Philippine Political Zarzuela, the curtain falls upon the usual comedic play of clowns and jesters, in Sinugbuanong Binisaya โnahurot ang binuang, nahubas ang alegre.โ Whistleblowers taken into custody as witnesses exposed names of the administrators of a single department allegedly involved in heinous corrupt actions, stealing from the national coffers, fattening their own pockets, scions, and markets. The usual โhala, imbestiga, nahilomโ modus operandi was strewn into the trash bin as the discontented Filipino nation fixed its gaze firmly upon bicameral hearings and senate proceedings.
The result of years of stacked up hearings who did not give true justice to the nation resulted into something we do not see every time issues like this arise. People rose up, went out to the streets on the 21st of September, the Anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, to protest against the cancer of the nation โ corruption. The Filipino nation understood the assignment of leaving the colors of political parties and uniting as one country in fighting a common enemy. Divide and conquer โ the oldest trick in the book did not work, at least for the day.
Along with peaceful protests, minions of hellfire also rode the bandwagon. What should be a cry of indignation alone turned out to be a display of violence. Protesters burning a truck, assaulting police officers, throwing rocks and Molotovs upon those bequeathed with the duty of keeping the peace. It is such a horrible sight, a disappointing one too. The fight against corruption segued to a bloody riot, the enemy called corruption became a scapegoat for violent revolt.
Looking at the brighter side of things, the nationwide peaceful protests that demanded accountability from public officials went nicely. Peaceful uprisings are not gentle taps on the shoulder for an awakening, rather, it is a deafening roar to those that should be held accountable. The effects of a peaceful protest is an oxymoron. The general attitude is elevated because peace, as an instrument for a revolutionary change is an unusual implement. Peace is viewed as a post cathartic effect, but here we see that peaceful protests are a foretaste of the good things to come. Looking at a peaceful protest is like admiring flowers in a garden that instantly changes the mood of the beholder. It is a beautiful sight; a nation united in a nonviolent reaction to the inaction of a government that is mandated by the people to protect their rights and privileges. The anger of the nation โ a just anger accumulated like nimbus clouds waiting for the right moment now precipitates its indignation; lashing out words brewed from sentiments that could no longer be stopped. Hunger for justice is let out in long marches, the thirst for accountability and responsible governance is heard when somebody shouts โAng Tao, Ang Bayan, Ngayon ay Lumalaban!โ
โPeace on earth to people of goodwillโ were the words sung by the heavenly hosts when He who will rule the nations with a rod of iron was born, two thousand and twenty five years ago. It is also our song, a challenge for us too. To keep corruption at bay means to rectify our moral standards; to understand and try to look at peace as the ultimate solution to an age-old problem, that violence, though can seemingly satisfy bloodlust only has a short term effect in giving solutions, but contributes largely to the problem at large.
Pax. Peace. Kalinaw. Malinawon nga Pagpanukot sa mga sad-an ug utangan. The day of protest is done, my beloved Philippines. It is now the time to take action, to translate our posters into reality, to strengthen the will and the intellect, be harbingers of peace, but also lions who roar for accountability. Let them point fingers, and let us be wise. Let us call their names and hold them responsible. Kita ang nagpasweldo, sila ang mo trabaho. Dili kita mahadlok. Barog! Tindog! Mangatarungan! Kurog mga makagagahum!
Abante Filipinas!
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Words: John Russel Manlangit | The Josephinian
Art: Denver John Cinco | The Josephinian
