To Take a Stand by Rafael M. Alunan III

Fight or die, now or never

Emergency rule? Chacha (charter change) through ConAss? Extension of power beyond June 30, 2010? These recurring concerns are getting people upset and worried sick because government is clearly not focused on the global financial and economic crises threatening their fragile lives.

Not too long ago, I learned from a credible source in the security field that all options are on the administration’s table. The probability is high that the war in Mindanao will be brought to Metro Manila’s doorsteps, and that acts of terror, e.g., staged bombings, assassinations, kidnappings and other heinous crimes, would be used to justify the imposition of emergency rule.

Emergency rule would pave the way for chacha. For them, it is now or never. If the still hush-hush story is true that the INC recently discovered explosives in its main compound in Quezon City, and that it was traced to a high government official known for black operations, then the foiled caper demonstrates its deviousness to stay beyond 2010.

Another credible source, this time from the judicial sector, estimates that the earliest possible time for emergency rule is this month if the public resistance to it is strong. Watch out, he says, for the replacement of officials unwilling to support Con-Ass. But if they get the Supreme Court to rule in favor of that harebrained scheme, which the administration already controls today by 9 to 6, they won’t see the need for emergency rule.

Despite all the reported violations of their oath of public office, obstruction of justice, suppression of the truth and brutal repression, it angers to see our moral and legal guardians sell their integrity; disregard the damage to our institutions, and ignore the state of our tattered moral fabric that lying, stealing, cheating and killing with impunity have done to the country.

The administration’s fixation with itself bars it from protecting society against the onslaught of the global financial and economic crises. Osama bin Laden’s weapons of mass destruction seem almost laughable compared to the West’s signature global meltdowns rumbling through the planet, caused by its greed and fraudulent practices, and impacting the lives of billions.

The multiplier effects on weak states like ours will be felt far longer than others that are already hard at work. If it will take responsive and responsible states, say, five years to climb out of this steep recession (severe depression for poor countries), it will probably take us more than that to break surface given our dismal experiences in previous global and regional recessions.

We can shorten our length of suffering, and do the impossible, if we only “get our act together.” Unless and until we eliminate the conditions affecting our state of being, the next generations will be doomed to a life of aimlessness, conflict and chaos, and incapable of dealing with epochal challenges like climate change and a failed global order.

Fatalism should be purged from our vocabulary. Waiting for things to happen or fall in our laps, and leaving our fate to the gods, is not how we were taught. Rather, God helps those who help themselves, and it is our choices that help shape our future. While there are elements of chance and human limitations, life is how we make it.

But when will we ever unite to rise above ourselves? When shall we become a living democracy and a model of competitive and sustainable development? When do we shift to virtue, knowledge and excellence to render poverty, injustice, neglect, civil wars, corruption, ignorance and bad governance a thing of the past? When will we regain the trust and respect of the world?

These are questions that actually frame and define the EDSA Spirit, which is about national transformation; national renewal; and national redemption. Regardless of origin, creed or status in life, it is about Filipinos unleashing the selflessness of their hearts and the brilliance of their minds to make the Spirit of EDSA a pulsating reality for all time.

In the opening scene of “Cory the Musical,” Isay Alvarez, who portrayed President Corazon Aquino, sang: “Ninoy said the Filipino is worth dying for. But what is worth living for when, once again, death is at my door?”

Cory, the country’s Joan of Arc who led a movement that ended the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986, and is valiantly battling cancer, continues to wage the epic struggle to deliver our country from evil. Those who have wakened from their slumber are following her valiant lead to fight for the country’s honor and the common good.

Who really knows what fate shall befall our country should the administration pursue its blind march to disaster? As my grandmother always said: “Man proposes, God disposes.” One thing is clear, unless we fight as one for our country’s future, our nation will surely perish.

If you choose to fight, do what needs to be done for God, country and people. Just do it; it is indeed now or never.

(sharing with you a column written by former Secretary Rafael M. Alunan III. he is right, it's now or never and we can't be fence sitter forever)