First, we thank and congratulate the leadership of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) for having organized and successfully concluded the mammoth rally at the Luneta last week. While there were fiery and emotionally-charged speeches during the event, the gathering was peaceful, orderly, and a sterling showcase of democracy in action.

The rally provided a powerful platform for expressing indignation and discontent over allegations of massive corruption in infrastructure projects, where national government personalities and several members of the legislature have been linked. The rally stayed true to its purpose and, as committed by the rally organizers, there were no calls for the public to take drastic actions against the government outside of constitutional means for the redress of grievances.

Another major rally is expected this weekend and is dubbed the Trillion-peso March.

Just like the INC-organized rally, the organizers of this weekend’s mass action underscored in a press conference that the movement “is against efforts to bring down the government, establish a military junta or revolutionary government, or force the resignation of the country’s leaders.”

Much earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., unequivocally declared that our men in uniform reject the idea of a military takeover, noting that this is not the solution to our current problems. He stressed the importance of protecting our democratic values, even as he announced that the AFP is investigating rumors that retired military officers may be involved in destabilization moves.

The call is clear. What our countrymen want is accountability – for the national leadership to make sure that those who took part in the alleged anomalies are brought before the bar of justice and made to answer for any and all wrongdoing.

This position is shared even by our countrymen at the grassroots level. In our conversations with constituents, they expressed their collective disgust over the allegations of corruption. They want heads to roll and for culprits to go to jail and to be locked up fast. However, they, too, roundly reject the idea of resignations at the top level of the national leadership. More so, they reject the idea of a military junta and even the idea of a compromise or consensus caretaker.

We explained the reason for such sentiment in our column last week. A bid to destabilize the government will benefit a few and will put at risk the interests of the ordinary Filipino. Those who are involved in a deliberate effort to undermine the stability of the duly constituted government will be doing our ordinary countrymen an injustice. They will be committing an unpatriotic act that is both treasonous and traitorous.

Senate President Tito Sotto warned of another dire consequence of extra-constitutional options. He said the country may end up a “banana republic.”

It has been some time since we last heard a national leader use this term. A look into what “banana republic” means may help us further appreciate the Senate President’s warning.

Political scientists define a “banana republic” as a “politically and economically unstable country with an economy dependent upon the export of natural resources and agricultural products.” It is a derogatory term that evokes images of extremely stratified social classes, a country where the upper class is very wealthy and everyone else is poor and works for the former.

The Senate President may be referring to the first part of the political science definition. We surmise that what he means is that extra-constitutional actions like the establishment of a military junta could plunge the country into a major political and economic mess. He has a point. When a country junks its constitution and goes under authoritarian rule, investors shy away or leave, industries shut down or collapse, and most of the citizens are buried in the quagmire of deep and oppressive poverty. We must not forget the lessons of the experience of the original “banana republics:” the Latin American countries like Honduras, Ecuador, and Guatemala.

Times like these are an opportunity to appreciate the role and importance of the Constitution in our lives as a nation.

When everyone adheres to the Constitution and makes it the basis for actions and decisions, we achieve what is called the “Rule of Law”.

This revered, timeless principle was made clear by American statesman John Adams, who he referred to a “government of laws and not of men.” This is the essence of a fair and just society where the “Rule of Law” serves as the foundation. The Law is supreme over the influence and whims of individuals. Here, no one is above the law and everyone is subject to its power. This principle is the guarantee that people enjoy equality, the protection of their right, and the prevention of tyranny.

As we mentioned in our column last week, what we need at this point is a collective calm.

Calm will help us think clearly and thoroughly examine all the available options under the Constitution and the Rule of Law that are available to us in the face of the challenges we face today as a nation.

Our focus must be on setting things right and on making our nation stronger, not to destroy it.