Res Gestae
The rise of dictators
(FROM THE INBOX: "Gud evening! Pedestrians (students, gov't and private workers, and older professionals) have to walk under the heat of the sun and r wet when it rains just to get off or take a ride a puj estimated at 80 to 120 meters at Philam or at Sarabia along Gen. Luna St.; at LBC along M.H. del Pilar; at ryan's /Marina and Barbecue park at diversion road across the bridge…too much heat and dust and being wet when it rains is not good for the health…stranded pa kong mag-ulan…we had already sent a letter with signature campaign to the office of Council Plagata 2 months ago but no reply… - 0919878**81; "Been reading ur article. Thank you for helping the PNP. MaDAMO sa amon pulis ang may K.". – 0920901**27)
As I keep track the hullabaloos at the Fifth District of Iloilo Province, I could not help but foresee the rise of the dictators. But, ironically, these dictators will give dictatorship a new form… a feature, defying the time-honored definition of this form of government.
I checked the definition of dictatorship at the Wikipedia and scholar Joseph C.W. Chan from the University of Hongkong defines it as "a form of government that has the power to govern without the consent of those being governed." In other words, dictatorship denotes a government against the will of the populace.
The world's history recorded about 80 dictators and more than 10 of whom are still in power. King Il Sung of North Korea reigned the longest with 44 years, while Vidkun Quisling of Norway has the shortest stint with only 3 years. But, regardless of number of years in the government, these dictators have one thing in common; they reigned without the consent or against the will of the people.
The situation in the Fifth District, specifically in the town of Sara, seems contrary to the form of dictatorship that we already knew of. It is so because while dictatorship commonly denotes the absence of the people's consent, 'dictatorship' in the Municipality of Sara connotes 'consent' (if not apathy) of the 'saraons'.
I premised my contention on the series of information sent to me by a reader (JS) who claimed as a 'saraon' himself. If his revelations are with bases, I find it reasonable then to believe that dictatorship indeed is the form of government in Sara, Iloilo. And, unfortunately, such has been accepted by the majority of the 'saraons' (if not imposed upon them) for perpetuity.
JS alleged in his email that the political clan in Sara has committed grave injustice to their people because for decades now the town never gets a little progress, citing as example the Sara Municipal Hall which was built in 1960s and remains the same without improvement until now.
Well, the last time I've been to Sara was in 2001 when I was undergoing an On-the-Job training program in my previous employer. And, I didn't care about the surrounding then, thus I failed to notice the 'antiques' (e.g. Municipal Hall) of the town.
I will cite some declarations of the Salcedos which are 'dictator' in character: Aspera's "Si Rapiz na, mayo na guro nga ipadala sa iban nga lugar. Mapuslan na to sya sa Mindanao" and Jeneda's privilege speech urging the PNP to order Rapiz' immediate transfer out of Iloilo and eventually, order his dismissal from the service.
Were they not dictating? They were. They made those statements fully aware that their 'power' and 'influence' may persuade PNP top brasses to act on their favor. With that, they were not only suggesting but compelling the PNP to heed their will.
That made me think: If the Salcedos alleged that Rapiz failed to observe the law in the conduct of checkpoint, were they not aware that such suggestions (read: dictations) were not in accordance with the law (or of the power that the law has vested upon them)? Aspera and Jeneda must review the provisions of Republic Act 6975 as amended by Republic Act 8551 to realize that deployment and employment of PNP personnel as provided for by these statutes are not forms of punishment but as means to establish a strategic police operation.
Such reminds me that, indeed, dictators know no law; they are but fueled by their ignorance and arrogance.
REMINDER: "Mamang Pulis / Aleng Pulis: Alagad ng Tao, Di ng Politiko."
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