Taguip Korte Suprema
ATTY. LILIO LIBRES AMORA
Democracy was earlier practiced and gauged by the “ayes and nays” of a group confronted by a community problem. The gauge was a subject to deep reflection, honest and conscientious deliberation. An agreement was reached – fir, better and for the greatest number or for the general welfare. Later on democracy became the numbers’ game – “how many are in favor, how many are opposed?” This is the rule of majority because the losing side became the minority. Democracy became complexed and simple community problems branched into human rights, infrastructures, logistics, finance and expenditures. Profit, gain and greed speed into governance. Graft and corruption was born. Number games became a tyranny of numbers – to cling and hold on to power, steadfastly, and at any cost. To the victors belong the spoils, the previleges and the favors. The spoils system began. Riders and insertions appear in the pages of congressional books and legislative records. In order to achieve victory and maintains the ruling majority, spoils, previleges and favors must be shared by members who are loyal, die-hard and who defend the role of the majority by employing public regulation experts who can appease public opinion and silence the critics at all cost – either by bribey or inviting them to join the majority party. The rule of the majority became formidable; the role of the minority became unbearable but the unequal sharing and distribution of the spoils caused the gripe and grievance of many conspirastors. Murmurs became defiance and the ayes and nays in chambers were thrown out of the window and the solons ran to EDSA followed and joined by the justices in robes – people power was born. Peaceful. Bloodless. The eyes of the world was on the Philippines. Our first woman president in yellow who restored democracy rose to the level of Joan of Arc and Florence Nightinale. The General Assembly was on its feet when she was invited by the United Nations. Peaceful people power was now a part of international law. People power is now the last bulwark of democracy. This great Filipino landmark was repeatedwhen Erap was overthrown peacefully and he left Malacañang via the pasig – on his own, while the justices again – in robes, followed and joined the people in EDSA to accept our second woman president. People Power Two, that was.
Saguip Korte Suprema – save the Supreme Court. People power is instead and indeed, the last bulwark of democracy. The voice of 29 million Filipinos seem to drown the “ayes: of 9 justices. Yes, only 9 who are beholden and burned in a public rally and demonstrations in front of the Supreme Court, last Friday. What’s next?
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“Let him who has no sin cast the first stone”
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