When I first heard Lozada say what he had to say for the Filipino people to hear, two things entered my head instantaneously: that he might be the torch bearer of hope for political change or that he could be the strongest medium to bring annihilation to the what the country holds real for several decade. As soon as Lozada brought out the “truth” he claimed, people reacted faster than antimatter touching air. Rallies sporadically appeared pro and against the government, with more support on the latter.

Freedom of speech is truly one thing our people in this blessed country enjoy. Democracy supports it as it is the very foundation of our nation. More than two decades ago, the rebirth of democracy in the Philippines happened . People, tired of hiding away, marched onto the streets to drive the dictator out of the Palace and to prevent the country from the rubbles of tyranny and corruption. It was a proud moment for most Filipinos, even the proudest of moment for the Fatherland.

Since then, nothing much has changed. Rallies and street demonstrations happen as though it’s a part of our daily lives. Political and social groups from different sectors appeared from thin air, all longing for their voices to be heard. Some groups want their rights to be expressed, others cry for the sake of crying to the world and even some vowed to forever fight the incumbent government, throwing accusations every now and then. Megaphones and banners seem to be the only way to get the government to listen. The streets seem to be the only venue for justice and truth. The have lost their trust to the present government and more likely to lose their trust on the succeeding ones.

The government has turned itself into a media circus, almost much concerned in kicking each other’s butts than passing ordinances and resolutions. They are stricken by infinitive hatred with each other that the country seemed to be stranded in the middle of a mass of leaders quietly killing the country by way they act. They call on for unity but that’s one thing they hate to do. But then I ask myself, “Don’t these people have better things to do?” What about feeding the starving 50 million Filipinos? Building more public schools in the provinces? Putting books in school libraries? Saving the soul of that poor lad addicted to drugs? Showing that one-day old Filipino that a beacon of hope is hanging in the horizon, that the Philippines shall rebuild its walls and foundations from the rubbles of lost hope, tyranny, injustice and corruption and stand firm with what is right. We have not noticed that while we “save” the country from corrupt public officials who never-endingly multiply, the world has been leaving us behind with no progress at hand.

I am not saying that to rally on the streets is against the law or that it is a bad practice of Filipinos. I understand that healthy democracy allows people to run naked on the streets to show their cause. I understand clearly that without the voice from the citizens like Rizal, Bonifacio and Aquino, freedom will never be achived by the republic. Their courageous moves are heroic for our people. In fact, their very blood runs on our very veins.
I am not saying as well that justice no longer wins in this country. Nor that there remain a small chance of getting up once we hit ground zero.

My argument is simple. When the people so willingly entrusted their right to suffrage to all the wrong people, we let the country down. When the public officials swore oath in the Constitution to build a “regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace”, but went the opposite way, they annihilated the truth passed on to us by our predecessors and shook the foundation where this country stand. Both have faults. The government and people. Lozada may now be a living saint to most. And I must say that the poor guy has done his job well on bringing out the “truth”. But then I must think ahead of time. After this war is won over by the people yet again, what will happen afterwards? What happened to Chavit Singson after he exposed Estrada’s fraud? The country was devastated overnight and Chavit’s cause to this day was a battle never won. The rendezvous of our leaders seems to be an unending cycle that only God can put a stop on. Indeed it is sad. I have nothing against Lozada, but I am afraid of the things he might suffer and what this country has to suffer and what my children will have to suffer after their fathers and mothers committed the wrong move to save the country with all the wrong moves.

I am not teaching you to be coward and to tolerate corruption. But if we stand side by side, fueled by the power of our indisputable love for our country, equipped with the fear of God, this nation can be great again.

Tomorrow I hope the Filipino people has found itself. Tomorrow I hope this nation is back on its feet running towards progress for the sake of today’s 80 million and for those that are yet to come.

God be with us.