My eight-year-old grandson Rafa provided the impetus for our family to join the “Trillion Peso March” at the People Power Monument last Sunday, Nov. 30. The last time my wife and I joined a demonstration there was during the annual celebration of EDSA People Power when I was serving with then President Noynoy Aquino.

The demonstrators witnessed the event on White Plains Avenue between Corinthian Gardens on one side and Camp Aguinaldo on the other. Recall that the four-day EDSA People Power Revolution in February 1986 began when a big crowd led by nuns and priests formed a human blockade on EDSA. They then marched northward on the stretch between Ortigas Avenue and Santolan Street to hold back the advance of tanks and armored vehicles, and protect the rebel forces led by then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and General Fidel Ramos who were in Camp Aguinaldo.

Their mood was upbeat and enthusiastic. They shouted slogans calling for the punishment of those responsible for the ravages brought on by massive floods: “Ikulong na yan, mga kurakot!” (Put those who are corrupt behind bars!”)

We arrived just in time to listen to the speech of Cardinal Pablo “Ambo” David, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), one of the principal organizers of the march.

He recalled that during his State of the Nation address last July, President Marcos was applauded by the legislators in the audience, including those who, ironically, are now being implicated and charged. “Mahiya naman kayo,” he said, then, alluding to those who had misused funds that were budgeted to stave off floods from frequent typhoons. He also lamented the seeming trivialization by the government of the poverty situation, citing the minuscule amount of ₱500 reportedly allocated as Pamaskong Ayuda Para sa Mga Dukha for a family of four’s food provisions.

He pointed out that the scenario of a military takeover is unacceptable; hence, it was truly gratifying to witness that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had declared its solidarity with the marchers’ cause, and its members had set-up first aid and water provisions for the demonstrators.

To provide moral and spiritual leadership was the “raison d’etre” for the CBCP’s participation. Some 60 dioceses throughout the country were holding simultaneous mass actions. Hence, he said, an estimate of the number of people joining the demonstrations nationwide could be made by using a satellite, and not just a drone.

“Ayaw natin ang madaliang solusyon (We are not pitching quick-fix solutions). Hindi kailangang sunugin ang buong bahay para patayin ang mga ipis at daga (There is no need to burn the house down to kill the cockroaches and mice),” the prelate said.

Then he discussed the significance of the choice of EDSA as the mass action venue. EDSA is the touchstone of present-day Philippine democracy. In 2026, the nation will observe the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. The number 40 is significant because it took the Israelites 40 years to arrive at the Promised Land even if, geometrically, the entire distance from their origin to destination could have been covered within a few weeks, according to the Book of Judges.

The process of transforming society is not achieved overnight, Cardinal David said. Forty years after EDSA People Power, the Filipino nation continues the process of constructing a vibrant democracy. This is why the long-delayed enactment of an Anti-Dynasty Law has become urgent. Although explicitly mandated by the 1987 Constitution, no enabling law has been passed. Hence, one of the maladies of modern Philippine society is the reign of greed perpetrated by deeply entrenched political dynasties. Ironically, the very same officials who took their oath of office based on this Constitution conveniently evade responsibility for implementing the ban on political dynasties.

Yet another irony is the proliferation of party-list representatives that are promoting their narrow, vested interests instead of broadening the base for genuine people’s participation. One of the unique features of the 1987 Constitution is the establishment of the party list system to enable civil society advocacy groups to gain access to the mainstream of democratic policy making. Instead, vested interests have virtually hijacked the party list system and converted it into vehicles for enriching themselves through graft and corruption, and this is evident in the lineup members of Congress who are among those presently for complicity in ghost flood control projects.

Not highlighted by mass media news reports is the fact that during his speech last Sunday, Cardinal David also thanked the Iglesia ni Cristo for adopting the theme, “Transparency and Accountability for a Stronger Democracy” in its Luneta mass action last Nov. 16 and 17.

Aside from Cardinal David, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray also delivered a memorable message to the protesters. She deplored the injustice inflicted mostly on the poorest Filipinos: “Public funds meant to protect them disappear without accountability, without justice.” She urged the Ombudsman to file cases and the Senate to suspend its members who are implicated.

Regrettably, she said, the people have chosen to be silent despite being afflicted by the cycle of disaster and plunder: “Ilang baha pa, ilang iskandalo pa, ilang nakaw na pondo pa’ before we finally say enough?” She deplored that systemic corruption has been “built to favor a corrupt few,” citing that, aside from public works, it has seeped into education and other departments of government.

“I believe we are a God-fearing nation, and prayer is a powerful weapon,” she declared as she urged the audience to “pray with me against the spirit of evil and corruption in our country. Ilabas ninyo ang kasalanan na tinatago (Expose the anomalies that are being swept under the rug).”

She said further: “To those who think the Filipino spirit is weak, nagkakamali kayo. Walang magmo-move on hanggang walang nananagot. (You are mistaken if you think that no one will be held accountable.) We are not the generation that will let corruption win. Reveal every hidden act of corruption. Let the full weight of justice fall on those who betrayed this nation and stole from the people.”

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