The Revolution Within

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This guy Joma just won't give it a rest. Miles away from where we are, he is still "trying" to cause trouble here. And I say "trying" because from what I know, his "all-talk, no-show" antics have proved detrimental to the once-powerful group he "once" lead. Twenty years in exile and he hasn't figured out (just yet) what he's supposed to do for this country if he is indeed hell-bent on achieving that oh-so-big word called "change".

If you think you have the power to influence, let that power be used to influence people to do good instead of doing harm.

Oceans away from us, he has attempted to stir the already muddled puddle of mud that is the botched BJE-MOA on AD when he released statements all geared towards that poor attempt of his at inciting the MILF to ignore peace talks and let their guns do the talking. Apparently, that didn't work. Not enough big words I guess, or not enough "passion" that would spark an "OMG!" or ""eureka!" moment in the ranks of the MILF. And as if that wasn't enough, he has tried to forge ties with the MILF in an attempt at bring down PGMA's government, banking on the idea that they both want her out of Malacanang anyway. Fortunately, and expectedly, the MILF declined the offer, saying that they are honoring the peace accord in effect (although fragile) adding that they have different ideologies anyway. Besides, in my opinion, these two groups, high and mighty as they are, I think they wouldn't want to share the limelight with eachother in an undertaking as large as that (if ever). They know for a fact that doing so would overshadow eachother's efforts. And I guess both are too proud for that. Having denied that chance, he now turned his attention to his new prospect --his own men and the rest of the fed-up Filipinos.

And now, he's at it again. This time, trying to appeal to our cowardly side and telling us that a "revolution" is imminent and that we are literally "surrounded" by his men, ready to carry on a prepared or rehearsed onslaught at a time he wishes. "They" walk among us, so he says. Now that statement is not a crime. He can say that over an over for all eternity for all I care. What I care about and what bothers me -- well, not really "bother" -- more like "disgusts" me is the other statement he makes in an email to media as quoted in the Inquirer, saying that "The bankruptcy of the US-instigated policies of neo-liberal globalization and war on terror has resulted in an unprecedented rapid worsening of the crisis of the world capitalist system and the Philippine ruling system. The crisis conditions inflict terrible suffering on the people but also incite them to wage revolutionary struggle," He goes on to say "They are therefore favorable for the rapid growth and advance of the Communist Party of the Philippines and other organized revolutionary forces of the Filipino people...".

Now what do you call someone who takes advantage of a gigantic economic crisis as this in order to pursue a chaotic revolution? While it makes sense in terms of feasibility since it is suffering that incites people to revolt against the government, it is morally wrong to do that in a state of economic instability because there is definitely more at stake here. We are talking about a global recession percolating from offshore, sort of happening in the background at this time, but is expected to hit us further in the not-so-distant future if a letdown ever happens. I don't even have to be an economist to predict that this social and political unrest will do more harm than good. Even people like me who eat three squares a day might even starve if this so-called "revolution" of theirs pushes through. And my God, they don't even have to "succeed" to cause harm. Even if it proves unsuccessful in the end, the ramifications of such actions will be felt by all -- and immediately. How the hell can we get more jobs here when there is fighting here and there?

I say, if you Joma -- are really concerned about the plight of the poor in this country, it would be best that you either carry on with your rather comfortable life there in the Netherlands and let this country be or, if you can't help it, maybe encouraging, more unifying words can help us instead of these doomsday prophecies of yours that only makes things more difficult that they already are.

I've said this a couple of times already, and now, I will say it again. If there is ever a revolution that this country needs, that should be "social transformation" -- a radical change of heart in each and every Filipino. A "snap-out-of-it" moment that will make us all realize that all that's been happening now is a product of how we reacted previously in certain issues. And unless we become aware of our actions, nothing will change. These little "evil" actions like apathy, carelessness and negligence are what ultimately lead us to this pit of endless problems. It's like we're digging our own grave. Looks like we're really decided on living "six feet under". I don't know about you, but I don't want to end up "pushing daisies" sooner than I should. If we don't do something about this, we're in one hell of a trouble. We are headed for the worst.

The system is just what it is -- a system. It's so damn easy to change it if we want to. You want federalism? Sure. You want parliamentary? Sure. We can even embrace socialism if that'll do the trick. But heck, that's not even the point here. We can go through all the system of government there is in the world and nothing, and I mean nothing will ever change unless we ourselves -- the people -- "change". That's because we make up that system, we elect officials for it, and we run it. Want an analogy? Think "all's well that ends well" -- but the opposite, and you get the picture.

I sure want to see a revolution. Heck, I even want it now. But the revolution I long for is not a revolution done in the streets, not just within the halls of Malacanang, but in each and everyone of us -- deep inside us -- in that proverbial "heart". That should do the trick.

When we start giving, when we start caring, when we start putting aside our differences and ulterior motives and start working for the common good -- that's when the real revolution will begin. One that's life-changing. One that's built on a time-tested system -- the system of "innate human good". Any other system of government built upon that would surely be successful. You can bet on it.

So let's make that happen first. After that, we can start talking Charter Change, BJE-MOA, and heck, maybe even socialism. :)

Suggested Further Reading:

• The Case of the “Ex”
• Perception vs. Reality
• Deferred Peace is Expedited War
• There’s No Easy Way: Peace and Its Price
• Where Do We Go From Here?

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