Junk the celebrations

"Scented, sanctified, glamorized"

As I said, the so-called People Power Revolution is a myth. There was nothing to celebrate last Feb. 25, even though it was declared a non-working holiday.

This is because a “revolution” entails something else—structural change, to be precise. There are many examples of real revolutions, and what happened at Edsa in February 1986 was not comparable to them.

What in fact happened then was just a turnover of power from one elite political family to another.

Historians Salvador Escalante and J. Augustus Dela Paz of the Truth and Justice Foundation said it too well when they pointed out that there was never a revolution because there were only less than half a million people out of the more than 80 million Filipinos at that time.

The Yellows simply glamorized, scented and sanctified Cory Aquino.

Escalante and Dela Paz added that there was nothing to commemorate and celebrate, because people went to Edsa to celebrate an accident of time, place and personalities.

I can go on to cite instances of change in regime throughout history, but I would just be repeating what others have said before.

It’s time we discontinued the hype and malarkey.

* * *

What did the historic Pope Francis-initiated summit on sex abuse by members of the clergy achieve?

The summit brought forth not only the sexual scandals and coverup, but the willingess and readiness of the Catholic Church to finally address the issue. It highlighted the need for change.

It also allowed the victims to speak out. As a result, concrete steps to address abuse were identified. The most important step was that the policy of coverup will no longer be allowed.

We expect that after the Vatican summit, the implementation of a 2016 law holding bishops and other superiors accountable for any coverup will be clarified.

The Church now recognizes that abuse, and subsequent coverup, are egrerious crimes.

Pope Francis is indeed leading the cleansing of the Catholic Church.

* * *

The reported signs of discontent among some sectors of Moroland on the formation of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission is expected.

For one thing, the Moro National Liberation Front, the original secessionist movement under Nur Misuari, out of which the Moro Islamic Liberation Front came from, was “outside the kulambo” if you know what I mean. It was not included at all in the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

There’s a clear reason. It’s because Misuari has Tausug origins, while the MILF is a combined force of Maranaos and Maguindanaoans. It’s always a tribal issue among the Moros.

This is also why Sulu did not ratify the BOL in the plebiscite.

Now, President Duterte is talking to Nur Misuari, obviously to placate him considering the fact that Misuari enjoys a measure of influence among members of the IS-inspired Abu Sayyaf Group.

But what can Duterte offer Misuari—money? Power?

It all boils down to the fact that with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the MIF now has power and money – by the billions, mind you. Other clans and tribes cannot tolerate this. Can President Duterte resolve this? I doubt it.

* * *

I am saddened with the passing of Makati College dean Tommy Lopez. Tommy was my assistant during the martial law days when I was manager of the public affairs department of the Robert-Benedicto-controlled Kanlaon Boradcasting System that operated Channels 4,2,9and 13.

Tommy and I enjoyed our days together. He was a congenial person, a joy to work with. My deepest condolences to the family.

* * *

Malacañang claims that President Duterte had nothing to do with the assassination threats that Caloocan Bishop Virgilio David has been getting.

But didn’t the President tell people to rob and kill bishops and priests, because they have been stealing from the faithful?

Now Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says that Mr. Duterte was just using hyperbole when he uttered those words.

I want to laugh but can’t. Death threats are a serious thing.

His words against members of the clergy who have been critical of his war against drugs is sufficient to encourage criminals to take him seriously. My gulay, with spokesmen like Panelo, who needs enemies?

* * *

The continued dumping of waterproof bundles of cocaine bricks on the Eastern seaboard, supposedly by the Colombian drug cartel, can only mean there remains great demand for drugs.

This also means that the market for cocaine has been growing. The poor cannot afford cocaine.

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