Bulatlat - The Philippines's alternative weekly newsmagazine

This story was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 13, May 7-13, 2006

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 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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