What’s in Store for Post-Cory Philippines?

About a possible political action after, or occasioned by, the death of Cory Aquino, Sen. Benigno Aquino (her son) said that it (referring to people power, a political action that toppled two presidents down) is difficult.

As I heard those words, I asked myself these questions: Is Noynoy, as a son, talking about what lies ahead without his mother? Or is Noynoy, a political “prophet,” talking about what lies ahead for the country without Cory Aquino?

Well, listening intently to and reading carefully what pundits have to say concerning the Post-Cory Philippines, we are given a good number of possible scenarios.  First, the Post-Cory Philippines is going to have another national hero.  Not that Cory Aquino did not perform any heroic act, or it’s not that her life was heroic in itself.  But, this time,  it’s going to be officially proclaimed.  In fact, in the Philippine Congress, there were efforts to declare her as one.   This runs parallel to a Time Magazine’s depiction of Cory Aquino as a political saint.  More accurately, she’s called the Saint of People Power whose grace to be one was not without any deadline as in Cinderella story.  Actually, Cory as a saint is just right.  The “graceful warrior in yellow” anyway was very known for her adherence and practice of Catholic faith.  Already now, too, different groups are planning to render awards named after her.  In particular, the national organization of village leaders in the Philippines (Liga ng Barangay) thinks of giving out Cory Aquino award to any ordinary man/woman who through life of virtue and good citizenship has changed his/her community.

But more significantly, we receive with so much anticipation the predictions — or prayers? — that the heavy and emotional outpouring of people’s sentiments over the demise of Cory Aquino would, in the coming days, translate into a collective political action.  Obviously, this political action is going to have the elements of the people power — a “form” that we are familiar with, without precluding of course other possible forms.  For, whatever we say and however we read the history, Cory Aquino is indeed a figure during the Edsa revolutions.

However, this anticipation becomes even more sensical — and, in fact, laudable — should one consider the current state of the Philippines.  We need not forget that some years ago Cory Aquino actuall called for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down from the presidency on account of allegations of corruption and electoral cheating.  Besides, as the most recent survey done by the SWS for the Q2 of 2009 shows, more and more Filipinos (2 out of 5) are considering themselves poor.  This puts the figure of self-reported poor Filipinos at more than nine (9) million.  This survey result becomes even more revealing in the light of what Arroyo reported — or shall I say, bragged about — during her 2009 state of the nation address.  Normally, we take the figures coming from the government with a grain of salt, but Arroyo pegged the statistics of hungry Filipinos to two million!

They say, the true state of the any nation is reflected on the state of the stomach of its people.

I personally wouldn’t like to see another show of — to borrow Mahathir’s, a Malaysian leader, word — “street politics” because its euphoria never lasts as we’ve learned from our history.  But I am one with those who really wish to see the tears and the goodbyes we accorded Cory Aquino translate into concrete political action.  Particularly, I wish to see it practicalize come May of 2010.

May 2010 is the time of another presidential election in the Philippines.  It is the time for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step down from the presidency after all the damages that she, her family and her administration have inflicted on the Filipino people.  The debate is still on going whether there will be an election next year, after Arroyo’s address before the Congress was never categorical about it.  But, I do hope that after people lined up the streets to bid Cory Aquino farewell, the same political animals (read: people, Filipino citizens) would collectively demand that Arroyo respects the Constitution and shows magnanimity towards the Filipino people.

I am happy that I’ve registered as overseas absentee voter.  I could be a part of this anticipated Post-Cory Philippines.