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People power for change

Some say people power is passé. Some even say it is powerless against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s grip on authority.

There may be a wane in the impact of street protests compared to previous months’ outpouring of the people’s discontent and disgust over the Arroyo government. But efforts to oust or compel GMA to resign persist in various forms and in varying degrees. There is no let-up in sending the message clear to Malacañang that the people want to evict the principal occupant there. More than ever, with the hounding issues of fraudulent elections, graft and corruption and unjust imposition of the EVAT and other bungled economic policies, GMA is in a precarious position, contrary to commissioned surveys.

Providing the solid base for the continuing campaign for system change is the national democratic movement led by BAYAN and its affiliate organizations and partylist formations like Bayan Muna. This translates to the thousands of people from different sectors nation wide who launch sustained and coordinated activities that ventilate people’s issues and forward the need not only for a change in the presidency but a more crucial overhaul of the political and economic set-up. This is in response to the jaded observers who ask “Who will replace GMA? It’s useless to protest, after GMA, it will be the same all over again.” This is in response to those who say the situation is hopeless and protests are aimless. Believe in change, but be prepared for substantial ones.

After the peak of people power to oust GMA in July this year, an array of formations and organizations has been sprouting in the capital region proving that the middle class is awake and counting on others in their sector to pursue the campaign to oust GMA. The business and church sectors, still wavering on their position on this national issue have been lobbied and encouraged to shift their stand for the good of the people. Even the military bloc is standing on shaky grounds as loyalty checks are regularly conducted, proving that there are indeed cracks in the institution. Parallel to congressional and senate inquiries on issues involving the First Family and their cronies, people’s court and its replication are conducted by concerned groups in the capital and other regions.

GMA bundles all legitimate people’s actions as mere opposition hungry to grab power from her and reprimands them for being the stumbling blocks to national progress. She is not oblivious to the fact that it is her presidency that is the main obstacle to real progress. Her obstinacy has only cultivated the grounds for the resurgence of people power. Already, some say there is another first quarter storm brewing. The signals have been sounded off by the people. #

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