Consumers Domain
Civil disobedience vs Proclamation 1017
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
- Martin Luther King Jr.
This column declares a state of emergency! Not because of the threats of a military coup by a faction of the armed forces. Not because of the rallies and protest demonstrations in line with the 20th anniversary of EDSA People Power. Not because more and more people are actively joining the call of the different opposition groups for the immediate ouster of a phony president.
This column declares a state of emergency because this same phony president, Gloria Arroyo, declared a baseless Marcos-style "state of emergency"! This is indeed a state of emergency for the people as Proclamation 1017 constitutes as a danger to human rights and civil liberties, a danger against freedom and democracy!
Is the existence of patriotic soldiers who deemed never to be used for the personal interests of a despotic president and who are tired of taking orders from a fake and corrupt commander-in-chief a threat to our democracy? Is invoking the true spirit of EDSA a threat to our people? Is joining the call to oust a lie, cheat and dishonest president a threat to our freedom? Is standing up for truth, transparency and call for a pro-people government a threat to our society?
You already know the answer to those questions. But those certainly are a threat to Gloria Arroyo, to the vested interest of the power-hungry occupant in Malacañang. Verily, those are threats to her continued plunder of the country's coffers and the nation's morals. And lastly those are a threat to the power of her lapdogs led by Joe de Venecia, Michael Defensor and Raul Gonzales (tsk tsk, kahuluya gid nga Ilonggo!).
Those are precisely why Proclamation 1017 was drafted and rammed down our throats. Gloria Arroyo and her minions have declared a state of national emergency to preserve her illegitimate rule and satisfy their greed for power. This corrupt and despotic administration is willing to throw our hard-earned freedom down the drain for its sole purpose of survival. That is the real cause of the emergency, brothers and sisters. That is the actual emergency.
That is on top of the graver state of emergency that has long been hounding the poor Filipino masses - for lack of food, lack of jobs, lack of shelter, lack of education, lack of health care and lack of genuine freedom - all of which intensified in Arroyo's reign.
This writer is in solidarity with those who condemn the baseless declaration. Proclamation 1017 has no constitutional basis and is outright ungrounded. It is reminiscent of the tactics used by Marcos to suppress civil liberties and human rights. It is ironic that this has to happen during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the people's victorious struggle that ousted the same ruthless dictator.
According to Arroyo's declaration, the state of national emergency was imperative in the light of a conspiracy plot by forces of the Left and the Right "- the historical enemies of the democratic Philippine State -- who are now in a tactical alliance and engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy, over a broad front, to bring down the duly-constituted Government..."
To give it an impression of constitutionality, the declaration ended with a reference to Section 18, Article VII and Section 17, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution. Excerpts of Section 18, Article VII of 1987 Constitution that was cited by the Proclamation is as follows: "The President...whenever it becomes necessary,... may call out (the) armed forces to prevent or suppress ... rebellion..."
But the alleged attempted rebellion was already suppressed! Arroyo has downplayed this "small band of military rebels" and according to her loyal Generals it has been neutralized. Now why is there a need to concoct a scenario to justify Proclamation 1017?
Section 17, Article XII on the other hand reads: "In times of national emergency, when the public interest so requires, the State may, during the emergency and under reasonable terms prescribed by it, temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest."
Article XII is on "National Economy and Patrimony" and Section 17 of which only applies to the temporary take-over of privately-owned utilities in cases of "national emergency". But granting that this is a valid basis for the declaration, again the current situation cannot be considered a "national emergency" as according to the administration the situation after the plot was uncovered is "under control".
I highly suspect that this proclamation is a prelude to a bigger crackdown against dissent, against the media, for warrantless arrests and other tactics that characterized the dark years under Marcos' Martial Law.
So, brothers and sisters, more than ever, it is time to close ranks and defend democracy! Our answer for this malignant disease epitomized by Gloria Arroyo is no other than civil disobedience. This is a call to all well-meaning Filipinos to join and support the protests against Proclamation 1017 and against a corrupt administration. This is a call to action for genuine system change, for upholding the real spirit of EDSA People Power.
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