" '86" EDSA People Power Revolution - Only A "Changed of MEN not in MAN"

“ ’86 “

EDSA  PEOPLE  POWER  REVOLUTION

Only A

 ”Changed of MEN not in MAN”

Ka Leon Estrella Peralta awarded  Carmen "Ka Mameng" Deunida (Chairman Emeritus
 of KADAMAY)  a  Certificate of Recognition from  ANTI-TRAPO MOVEMENT
 of the Philippines during her 84th Birthday Celebration on 12 February 2012

A

Briefer

After 21 years of the Marcos Regime, 14 years of which is purely cold dictatorship, the Filipino People agreed that Marcos said self-styled form of governance had reached its saturation point and cried TAMA NA! SOBRA NA!  The vast majority of the people decided that he must be removed from office; hence, the People Power Revolution of 1986.

The assassination of former Senator Benigno Aquino in August 21, 1983 actually started Marcos’ downfall, followed by the Marcos rigged SNAP Election in February 7, 1986, wherein the people believed that “CORY” won the SNAP Election and thus, should be declared as the “11th President of the Republic of the Philippines.” Call for nationwide civil disobedience by the opposition followed suit but this did not jolt Marcos, if not for his “falling out” with his Minister of Defense, Juan Ponce Enrile, who learned that he and his RAM BOYS led by Lt. Col. Gringo Honasan will be arrested for plotting to launch a military coup against the “DICTATOR.”  Apparently, the military coup hatched by Enrile and his boys did not intend to install “CORY” but to install them in power, if not for its discovery by Marcos that made them so weak. By faith or by chance if not for the People Power called by the late Cardinal Sin, when he exhorted Filipino to aid the rebel leaders which he broadcasted at 9:00 PM on February 22, 1986 through Radio Veritas, they probably would be crushed by Marcos loyal troops to surrender.  

The People Power Revolution of 1986 is a “People Revolt” for we (People) wanted genuine change, a “Change in MAN not of MEN”, wherein the new breed of Political Leaders must put NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM in their political beliefs, aspirations and principles.

The then late President Corazon “Cory” Cojungco Aquino actually had done the ultimate right thing, the restoration of democracy in our country. After the revolutionary government that was immediately installed preceding the successful “People Power Revolution”, she convened the Constitutional Commission (CON COM) which drafted the 1987 Philippine Constitution and was subsequently ratified by the majority of the people in a national plebiscite.

We (People) faithfully have believed that the gained “Fresh Democracy” is a “Cure All” in the aspect of Political, Economic and Social Order.  This consequentially fired up Nationalism and Patriotism in the hearts and minds of the Filipino People led us to believe that Filipinos are now ready for an “Open Democracy”-- a democratic principle of “We agree to disagree”; where everything or anything is debatable within the context of Nationalism and Patriotism.

The series of military coup attempts that subsequently followed, most of these were led by now Senator Honasan, the virtual “falling-out” between the then late President Corazon “Cory” Cojungco Aquino  and the then late Vice-President Salvador “Doy” Laurel and the then Secretary of Defense and now Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile are “too early” significant events that had done great disservice to the aforesaid democratic principle of “We agree to disagree” within the context of Nationalism and Patriotism.  The obvious “too early” actuations and aspirations of the said “Key Players” of the “ ‘86” People Power Revolution, except for the then late President Cory, apparently displayed the wrong side of this democratic principle “We agree to disagree” within the context of selfish political survival, seemingly, under the disguise of Nationalism and Patriotism.

After 26 years of “Open Democracy,” these kind of “flock” grew tremendously in the Political Arena wherein Politicians and their allies wrongly and selfishly applied the democratic principle of “We agree to disagree” under the context of Selfish Political Survival.  Apparently, this said “Flock of Politicians” “agree” once their personal gains are assured but “disagree” once their political survival is at stake or no personal gains are assured of.

Hence, 26 years after the People Power Revolution, Political elites now reign supreme.  They disregard the rule of law and the aforesaid democratic principle for their selfish political survival priorities.  The seat of government is too far for most of the Filipino People to attain thus alienating them from governance -- taking out their inherent rights as government stakeholders. Oligarchy re-emerged and is now in control of basic services. It even makes BIG MONEY from electricity, water and fuel, which onerous prices continuously cripples the people. The problem of unemployment is still rising and contractualization of employment is at its worst which deprives our local Filipino workers the security of tenure and other labor benefits as provided by pertinent laws.  There is widespread graft and corruption, crime and violence and social injustice.

After 26 long years of apparent wrong application of “Open Democracy,” majority of the Filipino People is now re-crying “TAMA NA! SOBRA NA! ANG MALING PULITIKA DITO SA ATING BAYAN!”

I do remember myself and my companions, only amongst a few then; arriving in front of Camp Aguinaldo almost immediately after the late Cardinal Sin called for “People Power” on or about 9:00 P.M. of February 22, 1986. We went there in order to shield the rebel leaders who were holed up inside the said camp. We stayed in EDSA until Marcos left for Hawaii late in the evening of February 25, 2006.  I did learn my lesson, and in the event there will be any similar “PEOPLE POWER” in the future, I won’t hesitate to go and participate. However, this time, I will actively campaign for “People Power” that would ensure a “CHANGE IN MAN AND NOT OF MEN.”  And this must start now! . . . . Within ourselves . . . . .

By:  Ka Leon Estrella Peralta

         Founding Chairman

Political and Human Rights Advocate 

PART II "YOU" Beware of the "Court of Public Opinion"

COMMENTARY

“YOU”

BEWARE OF THE

 “COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION”

PART II

“THE RULE OF LAW”  versus

“THE RULE OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION”

Ka Leon Estrella Peralta with his

Supporters from  the “Masa” Sector

         The issuance of an Indefinite Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) by the Supreme Court on the matter of CJ Corona alleged Dollar Accounts at PS Bank, Katipunan Branch by “Rule of Law” is debatable.  However, when the “Rule of Public Perception” is use as a yardstick is absolutely non-debatable on the proceeding issue.  Majority of the “People Judges” of the "Court of Public Opinion” perceived this issued indefinite TRO as a squid tactic of the defense panel to allegedly hide CJ Corona’s “Dollars.”  Sabi nga nila (People Judges), “Kung walang tinatago, bakit ayaw ilabas?”

      By “The Rule of Law” the one who accuses has the burden of proof rests on his shoulders while by “The Rule of Public Perception” the one being accused has the burden of proof rests on his shoulders or has the burden of proving that he is not guilty as alleged.

      The actual Impeachment Trial of CJ Corona now being heard by the impeachment court uses the “Rule of Law.” That is the reason why the House Prosecutors constantly request subpoenas to help them prove the guilt of CJ Corona, in consonance to the legal maxim, that the ones accusing have the burden of proof rests on their shoulders.  After each and every Impeachment Trial, the spokespersons of the prosecution as well as the spokespersons of the defense virtually face the “Court of Public Opinion” being heard and presided by the “PEOPLE JUDGES”, who now use the “Rule of Public Perception” in which the one being accused of has the burden of proof rests on his shoulders or has the burden of proving that he is not guilty as alleged. Actually both camps resorted to this kind of “TRIAL BY PUBLICITY” for they know the importance of public opinion that would be elicited from the “People Judges” of the “Court of Public Opinion.”

      In view of the foregoing, CJ Corona is perhaps “winning” his initial battle in the Impeachment Court in the matters of eliciting and blocking documentary evidences against him by the Prosecution Panel and Defense Panel respectively. However, the issuance of the Indefinite Temporary Restraining Order by the Supreme Court in the matter of alleged CJ Corona’s “DOLLARS” is perhaps losing his war in the “Court of Public Opinion.” By virtue of the legal effect of “The Rule of Law” probably, CJ Corona be adjudged “not guilty” by the Impeachment Court at the end of the impeachment trial, but definitely he would perhaps be losing his war in the “Court of Public Opinion.”

              A “Point of Thought” for the Defense Panel and Defense Spokespersons,

“You may win the battle but 
you may lose the war”

          CJ Corona probably might retain his position as still, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court because of the stringent legal parameters and maxims of the “Rule of Law” relative to the aforementioned Impeachment Trial.  However,  by the “Rule of Public Perception”, he would be forever be adjudged “GUILTY” for not divulging to the “People Judges” of the “Court of Public Opinion” on matters of his alleged Dollar Deposits and this “GUILTY VERDICT” would hound him and his family forever. So, . .  .

“YOU”

BEWARE OF THE

“COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION”

         A “POINT OF ADVICE” for the defense, “You better open the alleged CJ Corona’s dollars while you still have time and opportunity during the Defense Presentation in the Impeachment Trial, for victory is much sweeter when “You have won both the battle and the war.”

By  Ka Leon Estrella Peralta

       Founding Chairman

    Political and Human Rights Advocate

________________________________________________________

Special Note:

       The above COMMENTARY entitled “YOU”, BEWARE OF THE “COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION” PART II – THE RULE OF LAW VS. THE RULE OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION“ is in relation to the opinion expressed by the author during the Kapihan Forum at Annabel’s Restaurant February 11, 2012 to the Defense Spokespersons’ Atty. Karen Jimeno and Atty. Rico Paolo  R. Quicho who were present among others.

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"YOU", BEWARE OF THE "COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION"

COMMENTARY

“YOU”,

BEWARE OF

THE “COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION”

____________________________________

Ka Leon Estrella Peralta
with Ka Bong Labog (Chairman, KMU)

The impeachment of Chief Justice

Renato Corona had been lodged by

the 188 Congressmen generally anchored on his “accountability to the people.” All the Articles of Impeachment from Article 1 to 8 transmitted by the Lower House (House of Representatives) to the Upper House (Senate) for trial have mainly banked on “Betrayal of Public Trust”aside from “Culpable Violation of the Constitution.” In our country, we practice “Representative Democracy” in which the people vote through an election their Representatives (Congressmen) in the Lower House and Senators in the Upper House (Senate) on the aspect of legislation.  In relation to the impeachment trial of CJ Corona, the Congressman-Prosecutors and the Senator-Judges are all elected by the “PEOPLE” and therefore, accountability to the “PEOPLE” stringently applies to them.  By virtue of the Impeachment Trial of CJ Corona, in effect, is not only a trial of the Chief Justice but also a trial for the Congressman-Prosecutors and the Senator-Judges of the Impeachment Court mainly on the bases of their performances.  The  accusers, Congressman-Prosecutors of the Chief Justice in the Impeachment Trial have been perceptively accused of inefficiency and mismanagement of the “Trial” by the Public with respect to their past below standard “PERFORMANCES.”

Relative to the above, consequently, two courts had emerged to try the impeachment case of CJ Corona, the Impeachment Court mandated by our Constitution to be convened in the event of impeachment, likewise, simultaneously and automatically created the “Court of Public Opinion” in which the judges are the people.  In Section 1, Article II of our 1987 Constitution, it is stated that, sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them. In view of the aforesaid, the "COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION" is much powerful than the Impeachment Court.

The Impeachment Court has stringent Rules of Procedure, Policies and Guidelines but the “Court of Public Opinion” has none of these stringent legal parameters. Perception is the only basis of its judgment.  Public perception creates impression and we have a common saying that “First Impression last . . . And its effect could be forever.  So . . . . . . 

“YOU”,

BEWARE OF

THE “COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION”

for its judgment is also equally harsh from the guilty verdict of the Impeachment Court, for it shall forever remove “YOU” from holding office, and forever “YOU” might never win any future election.

BY:    KA LEON ESTRELLA PERALTA

          Founding Chairman

     Political and Human Rights Advocate 

Please see below:

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE

FORUM ON CJ CORONA IMPEACHMENT

Held on 28 January 2012

Ka LEON ESTRELLA PERALTA, Founding Chairman of ANTI-TRAPO MOVEMENT of the Philippines expressed his views related to the above “COMMENTARY” entitled “YOU”, BEWARE OF THE “COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION” in a FORUM on CORONA IMPEACHMENT which was held on 28 January 2012, attended by the convenors of the GLORIA PANAGUTIN MOVEMENT, members of various civil society and cause oriented groups.  Likewise, Representative Miro Quimbo of Marikina’s Second District, one of the spokespersons for the House Prosecution Team, and Representative Neri Colmenares of BAYAN MUNA Partylist, one of the Congressman-Prosecutors, shared their assessment on how the two-week old trial at the Senate has developed so far.  The FORUM attendees shared views, assessments, and proposals on the ongoing IMPEACHMENT TRIAL of CJ RENATO CORONA.           

Ka Leon Estrella Peralta
while expressing his views during the FORUM

\\                  G

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"IT'S THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC REFORMS, PROFESSOR!!!" (A Macro Position Paper)

“It’s the

social economic reforms,

professor!!!”

(A Macro Position Paper)

A Rebuttal to GMA . . . A lesson of the past for P-NOY

Leon Estrella Peralta with
Ka Leleng (Chairman-KADAMAY)

GMA’s well publicized Position Paper entitled “IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUDENT!” (Pls. see related news article below )boasted her regime’s economic gains at the same time lambasted P-Noy’s poor economic performance for 2011. While it is actually true that GMA had achieved economic gains during her past administration, this truth is inutile in her administration’s fight against poverty. The GMA administration’s yearly positive economic growth rates within the span of 10 long years conspicuously did not cure the economic standing of the poor and had placed a large number of the lower middle class to imminent poverty or near poverty. Generally, considering the actual facts of the past administration, we could conclude that Good Economic Standing

of the State does not necessarily mean economic recovery for the masses; a true picture of GMA’s past presidency.  GMA’s failure to install genuine social economic reforms specifically lowering down the prices of petroleum products, electricity, water, and all basic commodities in a “socially economic curable level” (Please see below its definition and description(s) by the herein author) was the big reason for GMA’s failure of her administration’s fight against poverty. GMA apparently aggravated the economic condition of the poor when she signed the E-VAT LAW which mandated the imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) for petroleum products, water, and electricity. The E-VAT LAW, adding insult to injury, had caused a fatal blow to the long desired economic recovery of the poor and likewise, this consequently had shaken and weakened the economic stability of the lower middle class hence, had created a new class in our society, referred to by the herein author as the “MASSES IN GENERAL” (Please see below author’s definition and description(s).

          While history was unfolding in P-Noy’s initial successful fight against the alleged “Mother of all SCAMS,” twin bleak news came into the limelight.  The Pulse Asia survey specifically concluding the worsening economic condition of the people and the news about the declined growth rate of the national economy in 2011 have dampened P-Noy’s initial victory against graft and corruption.

            History of P-Noy's 1 1/2 years of presidency apparently taught him and his economic team that their failure to spend what is on the 2011 budget mainly for infrastructure had a fatal intertwined setbacks in the general economic standing of the country and the economic standing of the poor and likewise the lower middle class. Seemingly, it’s the history of their said past action that P-Noy’s administration decided to spend 438.8 Billion pesos this 2012 for sustained, rapid, economic growth.  This comprises 24.2 percent of the 1.1816 Trillion pesos National Budget of 2012.  Specifically, the 2012 economic budget will fund 182.2 Billion peso infrastructure program according to a DBM report.  (Please see below related news article).

            Relative to the aforesaid, to spend BIG is generally a GMA economic formula and definitely will lead to the economic recovery of the state but not necessarily transcend to the economic recovery of the “MASSES IN GENERAL”.  The aforementioned reality is the true picture of GMA’s 10 year presidency, a healthy economic condition of the state but a sorry economic condition for the “MASSES IN GENERAL”. The nation and the rich are getting richer, the “MASSES IN GENERAL” getting poorer.

   Of course, P-Noy’s copy cat economic program as proven by the economic performance of the past administration would surely lead to more employment and money to spend for the “MASSES IN GENERAL” but again, if genuine social economic reforms would not be installed vigorously with intensified Political Will by P-Noy, the current crippling prices of petroleum products, electricity, water, and all basic commodities, if not lowered to a “socially economic curable level”, would greatly neutralized the aforesaid. As a result, this would be construed by the “THE MASSES IN GENERAL” as simply cosmetics or simply anesthetics for the same would not see and feel the truth of the sorry state of their economic standing.

 DEEPLY, THE ECONOMIC UPLIFTMENT OF THE "MASSES IN GENERAL” MUST HAVE THESE ELEMENTS: Enough money to spend for all their basic necessities, enough money to spend for their desired education and enough savings for future capitalization for them to be able to engage in small businesses without resorting to “loan shark” financing. IDEALLY, THESE ELEMENTS WOULD TRIGGER THE UPLIFTMENT OF THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC STANDING OF THE “MASSES IN GENERAL” WHICH WOULD INITIALLY NARROW THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR AND ULTIMATELY CREATE A “DRAGON MIDDLE CLASS” . . .

        History has proven the GMA presidency’s economic programs had continuously widened the gap between the RICH AND THE POOR and had shaken & weakened the economic stability of the lower middle class which had placed a large number of the said class in imminent poverty or near poverty by her administration’s failure to install the aforesaid specific genuine social economic reforms for 10 long years. It is a kind of social reform that should had brought down the prices of petroleum products, electricity, water and all basic commodities in a “socially economic curable level” which should have had ultimately created a “DRAGON MIDDLE CLASS.”

            Will history repeat itself in P-NOY’S presidency?

"IT’S THE MISTAKE

OF THE PROFESSOR,

     STUDENTS!!!"

We all have to STUDY the past in order to know the present . . .

By   KA LEON ESTRELLA PERALTA

       Founding Chairman
        Social Reformist /Political and Human Rights Advocate

____________________________________________________________________
Definition and description by the author: 

“MASSES IN GENERAL” – A mixture of the poor and a large number of the lower middle class who are now in the brink of poverty or near poverty.   

“SOCIAL ECONOMIC CURABLE LEVEL” – downgraded prices of petroleum and petroleum products, electricity, water and all basic commodities that would bring about the upliftment of the Social Economic standing of the “masses in general” which, if implemented, would initially narrow the gap between the rich and the poor and ultimately create a DRAGON MIDDLE CLASS. Specifically, this will bring about to the “MASSES IN GENERAL”: enough money to spend for all their basic necessities, enough money for their desired education, and enough savings for future capitalization to be able to engage in small business without resorting to “Loan Shark” financing. 

“DRAGON MIDDLE CLASS” – An ideal middle class that has a very strong economic foundation and to its inclusion, a large part or percentage of the productive population of the country

_______________________________________________________________________________

Related news article: 

The Daily TRIBUNE

January 13, 2012

POLITICAL WILL or "POLITICAL ILL-WILL" ? ? ?. . . the challenge of P-NOY's presidency

POLITICAL WILL

or

*“POLITICAL ILL-WILL”
? ? ?

the challenge of P-Noy’s presidency. . .

By  Ka  LEON ESTRELLA PERALTA
Founding Chairman
Political and Human Rights Advocate

   
    P-Noy’s intense POLITICAL WILL to

       eliminate graft and corruption in our

       country and jail all who allegedly had

       committed graft, corruption, and plunder

       in the past administration is a victory of

       the entire nation. The twist of events

       conspicuously showed that the “Arroyos”

       and some of their cohorts have been reduced

       to pieces and by any means could no longer

       hurt the country anymore.  However, too

       much and prolong public political bickering

       on these issues must be stopped or must

       be toned down now for it might be construed

       by the public as a “POLITICAL ILL-WILL”

       allegedly designed only to politically destroy

       the “Arroyos.” What actually the majority of the

       

Filipino people want aside from jailing the “Arroyos” and their cohorts is their victory on poverty and near-poverty.  The crippling prices of petroleum products, electricity, water and basic commodities, unemployment, underemployment, and other significant severe economic woes of the Filipino people must be confronted with the same intensity as to jailing the “Arroyos” and their cohorts. “Ang taumbayan lalong-lalo na ang masa ay naghihintay ng tunay  na pagbabago hindi lamang sa pagsugpo ng kurapsyon kung di sa pagsugpo rin ng mga kadahilanan  ng kahirapan dito sa ating bansa.”

P-NOY's administration must put a stop to the crippling price hikes of petroleum products, electricity, water and all basic commodities and to extensively reduce the prices of the same. The POLITICAL WILL by P’Noy’s administration relevant to fighting and eliminating poverty must be seen and felt now by the people with the same vigor and intensity as to what they had witnessed in jailing the Arroyos and their cohorts otherwise, the gained victory of the people against these alleged grafters, corrupters and plunderers will be a victory no more . . . for the recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia about the worsening economic condition of the people is a wake-up call  and should be reversed immediately by P-Noy and his economic team (Please see related news article below).

THE Conditional Cash Transfer Program now being implemented by the DSWD and the recent Malacanang announced formula to combat the worsening economy by extensively launching and funding infrastructure projects are positive measures but not enough if not coupled with extensive reduction in the prices of petroleum products, electricity, water and all basic commodities.

THE public know it’s a long hard climb to extensively reduce the prices of the aforesaid because of the current pertinent laws (EPIRA Law, Oil Deregulation Law, E-Vat Law, etc.) that created the “MONSTER.” If the “POLITICAL ILL-WILL” of the past administrations created, maintained, and support this “MONSTER”, the aforesaid overt display of intense POLITICAL WILL by P-Noy’s administration in jailing the “Arroyos” and their cohorts, if resorted to with the same vigor and intensity, could easily eliminate this “MONSTER.” THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION IS – 
WILL THEY? or  WILL THEY NOT?

POLITICAL WILL ? or  “POLITICAL ILL-WILL"?

the challenge of P-Noy’s presidency . . . 

Related News Article:

More Pinoys
say economy
worsened in 
2011 - survey

http://www.tribuneonline.org/20120110/index.html

By:  Ka LEON ESTRELLA PERALTA

Founding Chairman

Political and Human Rights Advocate

___________________________________________________________

*”POLITICAL ILL-WILL”  - a coined word by the author; definition – a political pseudo advocacy, a political overt act/acts, orchestrated or not, in which the desired result(s) is/are contrary to the desired positive result(s) of Political Will, usually it is anti-political foe(s), anti-people, anti-poor, anti-social justice, anti-social reforms, anti-human rights and other descriptions of similar import. 

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