The decision by the Supreme Court for the former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos is squarely being challenged by Filipinos all over the world. While some may have thought that martial law events were forgotten, it is now loud and clear that they remain vivid in people’s memories.
I personally do not believe that this is a personal war between the Marcoses and the Aquinos, as claimed in some quarters. It is unfortunate that in the clash of titans it appears that the people who gave their lives, and countless victims of the military atrocities, among them my late husband and founder of Balita, Ruben Cusipag who was incarcerated at Camp Crame for his defiant journalism, have been conveniently shunted aside.
It is like terrorizing them all over again. The ideals and principles they struggled for, the untold sacrifices of a nation are swept under the rug. As if the EDSA revolutions never happened. In one sweeping have become insignificant. I want to think that post martial law we have moved forward in our civil rights.
In the frontlines of opposition are again our young people, like in the student revolution, many of them protesting for the first time in their lives. Some of these young protesters were not born yet when martial law happened but because it is embedded in our history, they are now onto the streets, demanding to be heard, protesting what they perceive to be hogwash from their elders in high office.
There are other national concerns that are dramatically playing out as well. Like Senator Leila de Lima’s case, she never expected this day would come for her personal life to be unfolded like dirty laundry in public.
Now she has become the butt of jokes, with the sins she alleged to have committed, and the many people she hurt, including the helpless wife of her lover and partner-in-crime. For me, she is the one that deserves more of the sympathy, for being the victim that she was not able to defend her rights from somebody who is in power.
Closer to home, here in Toronto the same battle for truth rages on. The unfinished business of accounting for public funds that were raised specifically for community projects is still not cleared and those responsible are still ignoring it.
By now, our community is well aware of the facts: how our foremost umbrella organization the PIDC, was undermined and crippled to almost die.
Fortunately, with the officers and volunteers’ strong commitment and their trust and faith with each other, those left behind were able to revive it in time and it is now again in its former glory
Balita continues to maintain that those funds need to be accounted for properly. A court appointed forensic accountant can clearly dissect what went wrong and where all the monies went. The community does not easily forget and continuously talks about it up to this day.
Balita continues to pursue this cause, to keep the lights shining on the truth, until it is resolved to the community’s satisfaction.
The young generations are reading up on our history here. Like their counterparts in the Philippines and in Donald Trump country, when they realize the injustices, they could also rise up and demand answers. The truths are hard facts and all too clear so we are certain that Jose Rizal’s hope of the fatherland stand up for what is right for our people, if not now, then in the near future as the rising of the youth heats up all around the world.
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Recently, Canadians see the caliber and sterling qualifications of the newly appointed Senators who were properly selected by an independent body. Thanks to our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for changing the system because this is how a respectable Senate of Canada should look like. In our community, I am proud to say there are good and deserving ones, brilliant and most of all with impeccable records.
Unfortunately, up to this day, the appointed Filipino senator’s accomplishment record shows nothing worth mentioning, except attendance in social parties handing out certificates to practically anyone and everyone. Those that appointed him, also lost the support of our people and have become political losers.
The value of History is in not repeating our mistakes.
Senator de Lima will be remembered for her alleged role in the drug epidemic in our country. Donald Trump is accused of being racist and election recount is ongoing.
Former President Marcos for being a vicious dictator and plunderer. His children are the ones suffering, they are part of their father’s legacy and like him, not forgotten and certainly not forgiven.
Our time to clean up and clear our name is now. Let us not wait for the day when our young ones will go to the streets with placards “thieves should be jailed”, “return the monies where they rightfully belong” “You are a burden to taxpayers,” “Resign now,” while chanting in anger and extreme disgust.****