Consumers Domain
By Ian Seruelo

Of petty trapos & their ilk

“Politics, noun. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.   The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.”—Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary    

Many things happened last Thursday, March 3.   My previous article talked about the activities lined up for that day dubbed by the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (RISE) as “ Adlaw-Handuraw ”.   But since I prepared the article in the morning of that day, I was not able to include some exciting details of the happenings.

It was a day, as the name “ Adlaw-Handuraw ” suggests, for commemorating a very meaningful day that happened about a year ago.   It marked the victory of the people's struggle in opposing a dirty coal-plant project proposed by a Korean company KEPCO in Banate , Iloilo .

On March 2 last year the Sangguniang Panlalawigan voted to reject the KEPCO project, which by the way was being peddled by no less than the bright governor of Iloilo, on the grounds that it posed hazards to the community, its environment and the people's health.

I joined the afternoon's “March for the Environment” with the group that assembled in front of UP Visayas , Iloilo City Campus.   What we didn't know was that the head of all trapos , Gloria (who else!), is here in Iloilo City and was on her way to Sarabia Hotel.   So that explained the presence of at least a platoon of anti-riot police and several PSG (Presidential Security Group) in plain-clothes.

I was surprised with the actuation of a member of the PSG who simply removed the flag of RISE that was hoisted in one of our vehicles and placed it down on the pavement.   I approached him, protested of his actions and was able to get the flag back after a little tussle.   He argued that her boss will be passing by in a moment, as if the sight of a flag or protesters by his boss will cost him his job.

What ?! How petty and dull could one be! This PSG fellow believes that protecting her boss includes shielding Gloria from the sight of protest flags or Ilonggos airing their grievance.   I really can't comprehend why these people are afraid that their boss, the President of the Philippines will see the real issues and concrete problems facing the Filipinos, her very constituents!

Of course that poor fellow only follows instructions from his superiors and that reflects how these people, including Gloria herself, views ordinary folks who decide to take action, air their sentiments and push for their rights.

Then when the march to Provincial Capitol grounds was starting and the head of the parade was approaching Sarabia Hotel, a fire truck and the full-geared platoon of anti-riot police was ordered to block our path.   Then the head of the platoon, a certain Mr. Dagoon approached to ask for a permit.   

The marshals of the march did not have the copy of the permit for we never expected Gloria to be here and in usual protest marches there was really no need to show such document because the activity was coordinated with the Iloilo City Traffic Management Enforcement Unit (TMEU).

We negotiated that they allow us to pass for in the first place the protest march is not intended to go to Sarabia Manor or protest the arrival of the Gloria.   A reading of our banners and placards clearly shows that our calls are the protection of the environment and the opposition to the coal-plants being pushed anew.

We explained, together with the Parish Priest of San Joaquin, a nun and NGO leaders who were in our contingent that our march is heading to Provincial Capitol grounds to join the other contingents to attend a concelebrated mass to be presided by Arch. Angel Lagdameo .  

The flow of traffic was already clogged and it will only take a few minutes for us to pass by Sarabia Hotel but the machismo of Dagoon prevailed over him as if to show us that he is the boss and no amount of explaining and logic (which I'm sure he's got none of!) could change his decision.

We even negotiated that we be allowed to use the sidewalk at the opposite side of the road but it seemed poor Dagoon has acquired an exclusive franchise to the use of the road including the side walk, all public properties!  

And his main argument for the day was that the streamers and the placards that we carry are “ makahuluya ”.   Yes, he is also ashamed that our protest action and our issues could reach his boss!   Another petty excuse from a police officer who claims he knows about the people's constitutional rights but sadly failed to understand its essence.   

We stood our ground for we cannot stomach that a misplaced pride, machismo and trapo -ness of a petty police officer could be used to trample upon the inherent rights of the people to peacefully assemble and air their legitimate grievances.  

It was only after more than an hour later, partly because of the heavy traffic, when the copy of the permit was delivered , that Dagoon ordered his people to step aside and the blockade removed.

What we want to impress on the people who witnessed the standoff, those who are part of the march and even those who are simply watching, including all the members of the police present, is that the basic rights of the people should be respected and it should not bow down to the whims of those who hold a power – a power that was delegated to him/her by the same people whom he/she is supposed to serve.    

I really can't help but ask – Do these people even remember that the reason Gloria become president is precisely because of the same vigilance and collective action of the people that ousted a corrupt president?   Remember, even her victory in the recent election was mainly because she succeeded Erap and was able to control the country's resources in her campaign.  

Now let's go to the last case of trapo -ness for the day.   This is much more interesting because it has shown once again the shallowness of the governor of Iloilo.   It has clearly shown that Tupas is another childish trapo .

After the mass and rally at the Provincial Capitol grounds, a free concert for the environment was held .   The letter of RISE to the provincial government for the use of the grounds states that the concert will be from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.   Fifteen minutes before 9:00 PM , security guards already approached the leaders of RISE that there is an order that by exactly 9:00 PM we should end the program and that the lights on the area will be turned off.  

We tried to communicate with the person who gave the order and the guards said they could not contact him and that they are just following the orders.   Well, we understood the situation of the security guards because indeed they are simply being ordered by their superiors .

The leaders of RISE began calling up some contacts in the Provincial Capitol to negotiate as the concert started late partly because of the snag that happened in the march.   Yup we have learned and confirmed that the person responsible for such childish show of power is no other that the bright governor!

It is already public knowledge that Tupas is practically the marketing officer of the coal plants of Mirant and DM Consunji .   Read the quotation at the start of this article again and that clearly defines the governor's politics.

We were able to negotiate until a little past 10:00 PM and while the concert was in its final closing part, the guards turned off the lights upon the order of the Governor.   Good thing we brought a generator and the activity ended smoothly.  

It is really funny how the Governor of the Province will be so petty as to watch over the time and ensure that a concert on the environment and against his proposed coal projects be stopped immediately.   (Sigh) What more can I say…

Well, with all those pettiness, close-mindedness, selfishness, dullness and all the other “ness”- es that describe trapo politics, what made the day was the relaxing sound of progressive music.   What could be more soothing than capping a long day with the calming voice of acoustic musician Noel Cabangon delivering songs that cries for the care of the environment, the call for change and the need for us to continue to resist and not give up…           

(For comments and suggestions please email ianseruelo@yahoo.com or send text message to 0919-3486337.)