Analysis
Saving Democracy
The Arroyo government
did not try to save democracy, it tried to save itself. It did not uphold
the rule of law, it committed unconstitutional and illegal acts. It did
not try to unearth the truth, it tried to bury it. It did not protect the
rights of citizens, it tried to suppress it. It did not pursue justice, it
committed injustices.
BY BENJIE OLIVEROS
Bulatlat
It is hurting to the
ears to hear Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, and Justice Secretary Raul
Gonzales justify Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Presidential Proclamation No.
1017 (PP 1017)and the warrantless arrests, The Daily Tribune raid,
threats to media, and violent dispersals of rallies committed by the
Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Arroyo government as necessary to
save democracy. It is much like their claim that the truth behind the
“Hello Garci” tapes and accusations of electoral fraud were already
uncovered after former Commission on Elections Commissioner Virgilio
Garcillano lied through his teeth when he denied that he is usually called
Garci and claimed that he never left the Philippines to hide.
Although these are
not at all surprising as the Arroyo government has a penchant for twisting
the meaning of things. It calls as democratic authoritative measures
implemented by government such as PP 1017, the calibrated preemptive
response (CPR), and the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill. It boasts that
there is press freedom while it threatens media with lawsuits, government
closure or takeover, and pull-out of ads. It declares that it is against
the death penalty while promoting military officers accused of ordering
the killing of political activists and letting killers of journalists go
scot-free. It claims that it upholds the rule of law while two of its
policies, the calibrated preemptive response and Executive Order 464, and
the warrant less arrests, raid of The Daily Tribune, and prior
restraint of media associated with PP 1017 was declared unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court.
For democracy is the
rule of the majority not by one who proclaims herself as God’s gift to the
Filipino people. The majority is the 53 percent who are dissatisfied with
her performance including the 48 percent who wants her removed through
people power and the 44 percent who wants her to resign. Freedom of
association and freedom of belief are about allowing people to join any
organization or political party of their choice and to act consistent with
their beliefs without being killed, falsely charged with rebellion, or
branded as terrorists. Freedom of expression is about allowing people to
express their criticisms and discontent without being hosed, manhandled,
truncheoned, and arrested. Freedom of the press and information is having
a vibrant and unrestrained media reporting the truth, presenting all sides
to an issue, and providing those who want to express their ideas and
opinions with space and airtime so as to inform the general public and
provide them with information to enable them to make decisions and get
involved with governance. It is not about prior restraint, censorship, or
retribution. Due process and freedom from arbitrary arrests are about
following the proper procedures and the presumption of innocence until
proven guilty. It is not about running roughshod on judicial processes and
arresting people on the basis of fabricated charges, manufactured
evidences, and paid witnesses.
Laws are framed and
enforced supposedly to protect the rights of persons and to prevent them
from violating the rights of others. It is not for the government to use
in suppressing the rights of citizens, and perpetuating itself in power.
The search for truth
is about unearthing facts. It is not about hiding behind technicalities;
refusing to cooperate in investigations and hearings; cutting short
processes; and cover-ups.
Justice is about
treating people with impartiality and fairness; penalizing the guilty and
recompensing the wronged; and upholding truth and equity. It is not about
abuse of power.
The Arroyo government
did not try to save democracy, it tried to save itself. It did not uphold
the rule of law, it committed unconstitutional and illegal acts. It did
not try to unearth the truth, it tried to bury it. It did not protect the
rights of citizens, it tried to suppress it. It did not pursue justice, it
committed injustices.
The recent decisions
of the Supreme Court regarding the CPR, PP 1017, and EO 464 did not only
cast judgment on these policies, it further revealed the dictatorial drift
of the Arroyo government. The Filipino people cannot rely on the Arroyo
government to save democracy by protecting their rights, unearthing the
truth, and pursuing justice. The Filipino people can only rely on
themselves. Bulatlat
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