The people must independently assert and fight for their sovereign will

(Democracy and sovereignty belong only to the people)

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) is already in detention. More cases are still being filed against her. Former COMELEC chairman Benjamin Abalos is now also in jail. The impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona is in process.

The haste by which the resolution for the impeachment of Corona was prepared and signed by 188 members of the House of Representatives has raised some questions and concern especially among the legal ranks and within both houses of Congress.

Though it manifests how far Malacañan has gained in influencing, perhaps compelling the lower house, would soon be put to test in the trial of Corona before the Senate, constituted as the impeachment court. But even before this opens in January 2012 the move to impeach Corona is already generating a storm of debates and protests especially from the judicial and legal ranks.

Corona is putting up a fight. Though he is submitting himself before the impeachment court he is not taking leave from his post. He has raised the call of “depending democracy and the Supreme Court” (explained, the “integrity and independence” of the judiciary) against what he alleges as a creeping Aquino dictatorship. For this, even as it is perverted, has won support from among judges and the IBP.

Like what his patroness and client GMA did before, Corona refuses to leave his seat now. By raising the issue of “integrity and independence” of the judiciary, Corona is making his fight look honourable and worthy of support to gain moral ascendancy. By this packaging he is hiding and trying to overcome the stigma of being the greatest defender of GMA.

But even before the situation could further worsen, the resolution of the cases and charges against GMA and her cohorts, including Corona himself, is already sidelined.

Unless and until they move, the majority of the Filipino people, who are the real victims of the crimes committed by GMA and her ilk, are again bound to suffer more in the fracas between the executive and legislative branches on one hand and the judiciary on the other.

The overwhelming majority of the Filipino people are long denied of their sovereignty. They are alienated from and are the real victims under this political system. In their long experience with the three main branches of rule, it is the judicial branch and the police that are farthest and harshest to them. It is not alien to many how difficult and costly it is to gain justice through the courts. It is public knowledge how many poor prisoners, including political prisoners, are languishing in jail. They are either innocent of the charges against them or have aged in prison without trial.

It is common knowledge that in our country, “justice” is sold and bought, at the highest bid. Interpretation of laws and the constitution is changeable favouring who has more power of money and position. A criminal can escape conviction by mere technicality of the law and judicial processes. This is true not only in the experience of the masses of the people but also of less favoured members of the elite.

It is thus common for the people to appeal their situation directly to their elected officials from local executives, congressmen, senators and to the president. Though narrow and distorted, this is the concept and practice of democracy in the Philippines. Nevertheless, this is also the condition that perpetuates political patronage.

The “democracy” that Corona is harping about must be his “freedom” and “independence” in denying justice to the people who are the real victims of the crimes and abuses of the GMA regime.

The people should make Corona go! But as they do this they remind PNoy, their principal patron or perhaps their principal servant as they are his “boss”, to pursue the resolution of the cases involving GMA and her ilk expediently but thoroughly.

The people’s independent action to make Corona go is not tantamount to taking the side of PNoy. It is PNoy and all officials mandated by the people who must consistently take the side of the people (his/their “boss”). It is justice for the people that GMA and her ilk pay for their crimes.

People’s vigilance is a must and necessity. They are reminded by experience that conflicts within and among rulers are often settled through compromises but often at the great expense of the people; like when GMA was saved from ouster by Fidel Ramos and Jose de Venecia.

It should be the rulers who must take the side of the people and uphold their interest. The people must independently assert their sovereign will and liberate themselves from self-serving rulers who are also subservient to foreign interests.

Democracy and sovereignty belong only to the people. These cannot be claimed by any Corona nor any PNoy or any other elected official.

Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD)

Disyembre 18, 2011