Rumble in civility

THE series of presidential debates (and the recently concluded vice presidential debate) organized by the Commission on Elections jointly with the country’s major media establishments have finally proven to be instructive to Filipino voters.

We say “finally” because past debates did not offer new insights into visions and character of the candidates. This year’s debates went beyond the usual recitation of platforms, thanks to the mood of the times and the candor of the candidates. Without a doubt, many felt they were educated by the reactions and claims of the candidates beyond the expected usual niceties in the conduct of their behavior.

The passion with which the candidates discussed and pursued corruption and failed governance issues involving themselves brought to the fore the gravity of the situation obtaining in the country today.

Worthy of note is the frenzy created in social media in reaction to the debates. These reflected the much deeper involvement and desire of voters to be heard by the candidates, and they are being heard and heeded by the candidates. The surveys have shown shifts in preferences of voters. And through it all, there have been no violence related to the presidential and vice presidential races. Indeed, a healthy sign for democracy in the country.

Let’s have the rumble going with continued civility.

  

The attempt to erase EDSA spirit

IT is only those who do not know their history, or refuse to face the music, are not surprised by Bongbong Marcos’s strong showing in the surveys.  They know all about Martial Law imposed by Bongbong’s father but not the dictator’s ruthless rule from 1972 to 1986 that killed more than mostly 3,000 student activists, tortured some 70,000 freedom lovers and caused the disappearance of more than 17,000 nationalists—not to mention the jailing of Marcos’s many political foes like Ninoy Aquino, Jose W. Diokno, Chino Roces and Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., among others.

Edsa dismantled Marcos’s dictatorship in 1986 but 30 years later, we are seeing Marcos’s own son bent on deleting the spirit of Edsa.  Thus, if Bongbong should proceed to clinch the vice presidency on May 9, all that Edsa ’86 had gained would simply be washed down the gutter like irksome dirt. Truly, those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. Drat.

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