A favorite slogan chanted by young activists like us in the early 1970s, when Marcos was already contemplating martial law but before he actually declared it, went like this: One activist would start with a loud marching voice: “Ano’ng sagot sa martial law?” And the response would resonate like a march of thunder through the street, echoing across the urban valley of tall buildings: “Digmaan!–Digmaan!–Digmaang bayan!” Continue reading “What never to forget”
Nurturing mass-based politics online
Writing this piece on the eve of the national elections on May 9, I think all will agree that the presidential and vice-presidential contest has been the most bitterly fought since the 1986 snap elections.
The fight has been a no-holds-barred grudge fight. Chances are it will continue that way until Election Day, and probably even beyond. Several factors have created this situation. Mindful of column space and time limitations, I should mention at least three highly influential factors. Continue reading “Nurturing mass-based politics online”
Giant among dwarfs
GIANT AMONG DWARFS. That’s what I imagined Joker to be when he joined the Corazon Aquino government, a solid pillar supporting Cory’s load only to be felled as a sacrificial offering when the coup attempts started to besiege her rule.
Giant among dwarfs he was again, when he joined the Lower House, and later the Senate. He marched to a different drummer, and I’d like to believe, that drummer was the democratic mass movement–although sometimes he seemed hard of hearing or too stubborn, and so made some missteps. But aside from that, he was a likable guy, a courageous human rights lawyer, fellow street parliamentarian, and fiscalizer in government.
The only thing I didn’t like about him was his hairdo. I think he secretly fancied himself to be either Emperor Trajan or Constantine. But that’s ok. After all, he was a giant among dwarfs.#