First there was the record-breaking victory of Manny Pacquiao, followed by the international community’s recognition of Efren Penaflorida’s altruism and heroism. Both events were uplifting for the Filipino spirit, for the entire nation – very timely after the devastating and demoralizing effects of the series of typhoons in the past two months. Then came the Maguindanao massacre. We haven’t even fully savored the pride brought on by Penaflorida and already, with one swift blow, this tragedy has slapped our proud smiles off our faces, shaming us in the international community. Even the most passive among us can’t help but be outraged by the gruesome acts of the savages who ruthlessly perpetrated the murders. Fifty-seven dead! This is a perfect illustration of how, to borrow the words of John Dalberg Acton, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” To describe this heinous crime as blatant disrespect for human life and brazen defiance of the law is putting it mildly. Women reportedly raped before they were killed, others beheaded, mass graves dug by government heavy machinery, uniformed men carrying out the crimes – the carnage is clearly premeditated and comparable to the mass executions done by the Nazis. As the Press Emblem Campaign puts it, “There is no word strong enough to describe this barbarism,” while the International Federation of Journalists describes the event as “the darkest day in the history of journalism in the Philippines, which, outside of Iraq, has topped the tables of countries where journalists are most at risk in recent years.”

While the incumbent government has issued statements condemning the attacks, it has moved so slow in going after the perpetrators amid public clamor for more decisive action. The past four days I would find myself sneering in contempt every time I heard a Palace statement on tv, knowing that most of it is just lip service. Its handling of the matter tells a lot about the Arroyo government and its ties to the suspected perpetrators. Indeed, this tragedy will haunt GMA in her last days in office.

Power begets power. Men groom their children or siblings to take over their reign when their term expires, as if their jurisdictions are fiefdoms that can be handed down to their heirs, their constituency as mere tenants. The Maguindanao massacre is a resounding reminder to us all of what is grossly wrong in our society – political dynasties, patronage politics, guns/goons/gold during elections. This is a timely reminder of what we need to do in the forthcoming polls to effect change – learn the most we can about candidates, make intelligent choices based on issues and platforms, never sell our sacred right to vote, never sell our future to power-greedy politicians. Politicians become powerful only because we bestow our power on them, how dare they forget that? Come May 2010, we reclaim that power. Let us use it wisely and conscientiously.

Filed under: In the news, November 2009 | You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.