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People Power vs State of Emergency

The lifting of Proclamation 1017 declaring a State of National Emergency is a ploy to sway public support to the repressive and already isolated government led by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA).

Despite GMA’s proclamation 1017 aimed to suppress anti-GMA forces by outright human rights violations (dispersal of peaceful protest actions, warrantless arrests of opposition leaders, intensified surveillances of anti-GMA forces, regulation of media), protest actions continued. As a matter of fact, these protest actions intensified as these were not limited to Manila or the provinces but reached an international scale as civil liberties are at stake.

The fact is GMA earned more “enemies” than allies. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) showed its utter discontent when they marched EDSA and reclaimed EDSA People Power Shrine even without the “necessary” permit. Bro. Eddie Villanueva, former presidential candidate, broke his silence and called for the millions of El Shadai members to go to the streets to protest GMA’s 1017. Numerous groups and alliances for the protection of civil liberties sprouted as fast as GMA declared the State of National Emergency. Actors and actresses like Chin Chin Gutierez and Pen Medina) have also joined the fray. Also, numerous petitions questioning Proclamation 1017 were submitted to the Supreme Court. Even former president Fidel V. Ramos, GMA’s ally, viewed Proclamation 1017 as an “overkill”. Of course, the military and police remain fractious even if supposed rebel officers were already arrested.

On the other hand, GMA’s support remained the same — Secretaries Mike Defensor, Raul Gonzales, Ignacio Bunye, Atty. Saludo, Avelino Cruz Jr., pro-administration congressmen like Majority leader Propero Nograles, PNP Chief Arturo Lomibao and AFP Chief of Staff General Generoso Senga. Same group but very aggressive in bullying the media and anti-GMA forces.

Certainly, GMA’s proclamation 1017 did tilt the political balance. But sadly for GMA, it was in favor of the opposition. Prolonging the declaration will only lead to political suicide and so GMA was forced to lift the state of national emergency.

Lastly, even if the State of National Emergency has been lifted, the fight for the protection of civil liberties will have to continue as oppressive and repressive policies — “No permit, no rally” policy, “watching” the media, surveillance of anti-GMA forces, arbitrary arrests of progressive leaders, etc. — are still implemented by the government led by GMA.

Furthermore, protest actions against GMA will continue as long as questions on her legitimacy and corrupt practices (GMA is implicated in the scam at the Department of Agriculture) remain unanswered. Definitely, GMA will not take these “attacks” sitting down and will surely take decisive action and will not think twice to resort to violent means to crush the growing anti-GMA mass movement.

To break this cycle, the people will have to decide: either to be intimidated and submit to the repressive and illegitimate government, or exercise another People Power to ensure a new government capable of protecting civil liberties.

People Power is not dead. It has just waived its “magic” on GMA’s lifting of the State of National Emergency. It is up to the Filipino people to tap its vast potential and power. #

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