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DATELINE SEATTLE
By Greg S. Castilla

Stench of Martial Law

Those who know me would probably wonder if I didn’t write about Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) and the current political conditions in the Philippines today.

There are many things going on in the world, but they pale in comparison. It’s not everyday a president of a country declares a state of national emergency with the power to arrest without any warrant from the courts. The world must have already heard by now how GMA did just that. Claiming an alliance of the Communist Party of the Philippines, restive soldiers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and opposition politicians was plotting to overthrow her, GMA declared Presidential Decree 1017.

The decree, declared on the day the nation was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1986 People Power revolution, struck fear among many Filipinos. Former Pres. Fidel Ramos described PD 1017 as ‘Marcosian’, in reference to former President Marcos’ repressive tactic of silencing his political opponents.

The funny thing is the government cannot even offer any proof to back its claim. The arrest orders on congressmen Crispin Beltran and Satur Ocampo were based on rebellion charges filed against them in the 80s. Former president Erap, thought to be an active participant in a sinister plot against GMA, is heavily guarded in jail for a couple of years now. The bulk of the Magdalo leadership is in jail. The communists have very limited resources.

Not surprisingly, GMA has instantly become the object of criticism by individuals and various organizations that felt that the decree was uncalled for, repressive and had no constitutional basis. The “Action for Economic Reforms” condemned GMA’s action as “acts of desperation, which only fuel the resistance.” The Catholic Church, the media, and a host of non-government organizations called for the immediate lifting of PD 1017 and for GMA to step down.

While I support the demand for the immediate lifting of PD 1017, I’m tempted not to join the chorus calling for GMA to resign because there is no viable leader to replace her at this time. A friend explained that although he did not vote for GMA, he would prefer her to an Estrada, a Drilon, a communist takeover or a government run by opportunist politicians. I hope my friend is not giving an excuse for GMA to remain in power. While I fully understand my friend’s sentiment, I am far from making the conclusion that the Philippines is totally devoid of honest leaders who will fight for what is in the best interest of the Filipinos.

To remain entrenched in this kind of mental framework is not healthy. It is self-defeating. It’s a form of resignation that can dangerously lead to apathy.

When I consider the gravity of PD 1017 – and more importantly the president’s insistence to disperse peaceful demonstrations, monitor or even take over media networks, arbitrarily arrest political dissenters – my response is: I cannot remain silent when the basis of democracy is gradually taken away.

It has occurred to me that what GMA did was not just an attempt to save her presidency, but everything that’s wrong in Philippine politics. PD 1017 is a microcosm of abuse of power that also characterizes many of the current leaders masquerading as the opposite, if not better, than an illegitimate president.

The hidden premise behind PD 1017 is obvious: lust for power leads to bad decision leads to repression leads to arrogance. Only an arrogant president like GMA will say, “But I have great faith in God’s will. I believe that I’m here now because that is the plan of God for me and for us.” God might sue her for libel!

The thought that all this has metastasized into something bigger reflects the paranoia of GMA and her government. This is the problem.

GMA’s lifting of PD 1017 a week after its declaration bordered on the absurd. It didn’t make her look masterful. It just made her look silly. The military can still arrest political dissenters. Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel of Akbayan was the first known political oppositionist to be arrested post 1017. The media are still muzzled. Rallies are prohibited. So, what’s new?

Truthfully, we have the stench of Martial Law based on a dubious premise. But its victims are real. Ask Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel. Ask Crispin Beltran. Ask Ninez Cacho-Olivares. Ask Randy David. Ask Joey Estriber. Ask Rep. Joel Virado.

This stuff is scary.