In your opinion, what did the recent interfaith rally manage to accomplish?

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Basically none. It’s good that it was assembled, though. But then again, as always, divided we stand, united we fall.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Big waves start with a ripple. Just wait; it’s just a matter of time before we muster a bigger one and turn it into a tidal wave.  

It sent a message to GMA and her allies

Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City: It made clear to those strangely pushing for Cha-cha that people are against such before 2010 and that we’re not allowing any more dirty tricks to be played on us.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: It’s a reminder to GMA and allies that principled and right-thinking Filipinos will never allow them to do anything against the will of the majority. They better listen.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: The interfaith rally showed that many sectors in our society are against Cha-cha.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: The interfaith rally showed and declared that people no longer have faith in PGMA and her allies.  

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: The interfaith rally sent a strong message to PGMA and her lapdogs in the Lower House that we cannot dance the Cha-cha because the proponents are out of step.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: It managed to send a clear message that the Filipino majority has grown tired of GMA and that Cha-cha is only feasible after the 2010 elections. The government must discern.  

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: It sent a resounding message to GMA that many Filipinos across society are decidedly against Cha-cha and that the government better listen, or else. Now why would anyone want GMA forever? For the life of me, I cannot think of any rational justification why we would want more of the type of leadership and management that GMA has displayed thus far into her governance. The rally merely said the same thing! There is nothing wrong with Cha-cha per se. But to go through Cha-cha with ulterior motives, like extending questionable people in power, does not serve the public and therefore must be discouraged. We need to unite to change our corrupt leaders and replace them with citizens who are bound to duty, honor, and country and who can lead us away from the unjust status quo towards a genuinely egalitarian society where the greedy are kept in check while the marginalized are protected.    

Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province: No matter how imperfect and self-serving, the motives of the organizers also showed genuine love for our nation.  

It was a lackluster event

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal :Not much. People were more interested in Pacquiao and Christmas shopping.  

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: This is the paradox of the present age. We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. The interfaith rally was a lackluster event, maybe because it was a premature move against Charter change and it was quite irrelevant at this time. Considering that Christmas is just around the corner, maybe shoppers wouldn’t want any political issues spoiling their day. Apparently, the Filipino people are so burned out now that whenever there is a controversial issue in government, they go to the streets. Of course, I empathize and sympathize with our countrymen because of the endless list of alleged transgressions linked to PGMA and her allies over which the government has been unable to shed light. But you see, a more subtle and better way could be administered and this is through judicial cognizance of the case by the Supreme Court. Whatever the Supreme Court’s adjudication on the case may be, the senators and congressmen should abide. Edsa 1 is hard to beat. We just have to intensify our prayers for the good of our country. God sees everything and God is just. He makes everything happen for a reason.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Nil. The lackluster rally attracted only a few thousand people. The Palace didn’t even bother to come out with a figure to counter claims of the anti-Cha-cha organizers. TV coverage showed a relatively small crowd compared to previous rallies. Something that would have sparked the event was missing or maybe the people are burned out from too many rallies which only give politicians opportunities for grandstanding. Another reason could be that people just want to wait until PGMA’s term is over in 2010. I believe, however, that should Congress tinker with the Charter in any way to extend Arroyo’s tenure, people will go to the streets spontaneously.  

Just another noisy political rally

Lorenzo Fernandez Jr., Nueva Ecija: The interfaith rally accomplished only one thing: It turned itself into a noisy political rally.  

M. Lopez, Rizal: Instead of helping solve matters they are vehemently against, they just pushed it further into the labyrinth of confusion. They also caused a lot of headache to people who had nothing to do with the rally. As of now, all I can see is that the rally accomplished nothing but noise and another showcase of mob rule, also known as democracy, Filipino-style.  

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales :Nothing. It just boosted the inflated egos of several rallyists who have a political agenda against the Arroyo administration. It was a waste of time, effort and money, which could well have been spent on more productive endeavors, like tree-planting, mangrove reforestation, supplemental feeding, medical missions, coastal cleanup, etc.  

Eduardo Lozano, Nueva Vizcaya: The interfaith rally showed many “hunyangos” that have metamorphosed into priests, politicians, communists, and members of the so-called civil society.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I agree with Federico D. Pascual. The interfaith rally in Makati had no effect. It just served as a healthy release. After that, no more.  

Just a horrible traffic jam

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Nothing was accomplished except a horrible traffic jam. It was merely a political event disguised as an interfaith rally.  

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite City: The interfaith rally achieved the following: traffic gridlock, business disruption, lower income for taxi and jeepney drivers, media exposure of politicians.  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: The interfaith rally managed to accomplish a monstrous traffic jam in the busiest financial district of Metro Manila to the chagrin of employees.  

Johannes Dalumpines, Taytay, Rizal: I have nothing against the rallyists or the opposition and I don’t like GMA, but the rally was really disappointing to ordinary employees like me. They only caused heavy traffic, subsequently making me late for almost an hour. If only they could channel their grievances like adults and not like a bunch of spoiled brats, thereby not inflicting minor damage to ordinary taxpayers like me.  R. Angeles, Iriga City: Nothing, because the majority of the people, including the poor, didn’t join them. Nagsayang lang sila ng panahon, peste pa sa motorista!  

Erlinda Cenzon, Laguna: Last week’s worthless rally, thinly disguised as an interfaith rally, was much ado over nothing, except for causing inconvenience to the working class.  

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: Nothing was accomplished by the rally last Friday; they only gave a grave discomfort to commuters. Its organizers just refused to read the minds of the majority.  

People power is still alive and well

Felmar Rowell Singco, Northern Samar: It managed to show that people power is still alive in our hearts, and that there is an end even to the patience of long-suffering Filipinos.  

Marlone Ramirez, Dubai: The assembly showed that Filipinos can transcend religious affiliation for the sake of national interest. Moreover, it is a manifestation that we can still express our sentiments freely in a peaceful and orderly manner. Furthermore, the throng attained their goal of safeguarding the sacred Constitution from manipulation.  

Marben Barrera, Tagnipa, Maasin City: Collective effort seems to be the only way left for Filipinos. It has been our primary ammunition against principles of corruption, greed and autocracy. I just hope we’re not overdoing it in the process.  

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: Nothing much, but I would not like to be judgmental and say that the rally was a flop, owing to the heavy downpour that spoiled the prepared theatrics of the lead rallyists’ invited actors and cameo role players. It is the undisputed Constitutional right of the lead groups to continue airing their grievances pertinent to much-feared Charter change initiatives by some quarters, even if formal debates by personalities involved have yet to commence.  

June Deoferio Cavite: They accomplished uniting thousands of people that were against the PGMA administration and against Charter-change.  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It was a wake-up call for abusive authorities that the “conscience of society” is alive and well, and ready to castigate them.  Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte

The rallyists managed to display their arrogant preemptive and coercive measures to cow Cha-cha proponents from protecting their vested interests.  

It didn’t accomplish anything

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Nothing; it did not make any impact on the public. I don’t think it resulted in any influence in public perception about the cause for which they are staging the rally.  

Janet Lopez, Manila: A big fat zero, zilch, nada, wala. Even the heavens poured rain on those perennial malcontents.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba: Nothing, because followers of Erap and Macoy were there. How I wish I could have joined them, but that will never happen if in the company of those political discards.  

Vic Nario, Dagupan City: None, nothing at all. Period.  

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Rallies have become meaningless to most Filipinos, because many past rallies after Edsa 1 became more of a nuisance than anything else. Blame those who led the rallies held in the past that only irked the general public. That rally was nicely dubbed as an interfaith rally, but I see nothing clear as to what it accomplished. The only thing new is the pronouncement made by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who said, “The Senate would fight Cha-cha without street protests.” Personally, I’m for amendments but I’m now almost convinced that Cha-cha has to be done after the 2010 elections whether by Constituent assembly or by Constitutional convention.   

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: That “interfake rally” accomplished what we “thinking Pinoys” always wish for: To expose the peke among the so-called patriotic, selfless politicians; the anointed bishops, pastors and ministers, the disunited opposition and the destabilizers.  

Better a debate

Felix Plamio, Antipolo City: The interfaith rally accomplished nothing. Why not a debate instead, live on TV, at the Luneta Park? My suggested topics: Cha-cha, economy, and political dynasty.  

It lacked support

Loi Castillo, Davao City: The interfaith rally in Makati did not represent the country as a whole. It was only for the Tagalogs.  

Felix Ramento, Manila: The rally served as a neat lesson to the organizers that they need better planning and a lot of money if they hope to attract more people to future anti-GMA rallies.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City :The interfaith rally in Metro Manila accomplished nothing. It only added to our chaos and confusion. There was no support from the people in the provinces. They should have planned a coordinated nationwide rally. Does it mean bright people are only in Imperial Manila? We cannot really understand the objectives of those that organized the rally. Going to the streets, wasting time, money and effort will produce nothing because the situation and timing is different from that of Edsa 1. It does not mean that because the Edsa rally was successful, all street rallies would also be successful! The organizers must think of an original idea, not just blindly copy from the past.  

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: The interfaith rally showed a different sect united into one. All the senators were undivided for once against the proposed Constitutional assembly. The rally was well-organized and no untoward incident happened. It lacked one thing, though: It could have used more support from the people.  

A broken record

Ed Alawi, Davao City: Nada. It was just a rehash of the “Down with GMA!” sentiment. Nothing was said on how to curb corruption in government and the oligarchy. It’s all crab mentality.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Same old dogs wearing only different collars sharing the same sentiments. Congratulations to Mar Roxas for the greatest performance of his life.  

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Nothing significant, kasi hatred towards PGMA ang mensahe ulit nila kaya sirang plaka na sila sa Pinoy silent majority.  

It landed on deaf ears

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Las Piñas City: Nothing. GMA and her people are enjoying their meals, drinking wine. GMA probably said, “Bahala kayo sa buhay ninyo diyan!”  

Aldo Apostol: Nothing, as it landed on deaf ears!  

On ‘Mr. Palengke’

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: The unimpressive crowd at the December 12 rally in Makati watched an angry senator hurling invectives at the President, warning her to change her ways. It was the first time we saw Sen. Mar Roxas cursing at PGMA. Parang binaril niya si GMA ng mga mura galing sa kanyang bunganga.  

Norberto Robles, Taguig: That there were fewer rally attendees than the last one shows that the public is leery of the organizers’ motives and that Mr. Palengke lost it and turned into a foul-mouthed palengkera.  

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Nothing, except their anti-GMA sentiment, their yearning to grab power, ang pagmumura ni Sen. Roxas and ang galit ng mga motorista dahil sa traffic.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: It accomplished nothing but heavy traffic, a lot of noise, truckloads of waste and hate propaganda. Nag- hysterical ‘yung isang mama, nagmura sa gitna ng interfaith rally. Is that interfaith? Ganoon din yung isang matanda. I’m confused! Yung pari, parang hindi pari kung magsalita. Butangero, nakakahiya!  

The rally lacked many ingredients

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: If it were some dish, the rally lacked many ingredients. If it were a movie, it lacked many elements and didn’t make any profit. If it were a storm, it failed to bring winds and rain. If it were a guitar, it failed to make good music. The rally was a recycled show that turned out to be a flop.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Malacañang’s press statement said that it was unfazed by the interfaith rally against Charter change, the hidden-in-plain-sight scheme of GMA to serve as her vehicle to evade going to where Erap was dispatched. The size of the rally might have been meager, but mind you, fellow Inboxers, if Cha-cha is doggedly pursued by her dogs of war, the multitude who are tired of going to the streets would rise and march into the streets to scream “Enough is enough! You need not finish year 2010!” All they need is a credible and untainted Pied Piper.  

Wake-up call

C. Gaspar, Laoag City: It awakened the Palace supporters to be cautious of any consequence it might trigger if GMA allies ignore the protesters’ interfaith rally.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: They jerked the house. The throng of rallyists managed to air the public’s declaration of lost of confidence in the current leaders of the republic.  

Gathering of wannabes

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: It was a show of force of 10,000 kuno in Rambotito’s own backyard and a show of unity, somehow, of salivating presidential contenders for 2010.  

Digoy Coro, Batangas: A little disturbance, a lot of litter, and political posturing by presidentiables. It also told the world that the President is in control.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Federico D. Pascual Jr., in his December 14 Postscript, said that the interfaith rally against Charter change was “pasiklaban lang ng ingay ng mga presidentiables and Church leaders with no effect but civil disturbance to legitimate business dealings.”  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: The rallyists were there to protect their vested interests. They weren’t there for the country’s progress.  

Media mileage for politicians

Rose Leobrera, Manila: It just gave more media mileage for presidential hopefuls. We have no power over GMA. She will just sleep while we hold a rally against her, and when she wakes up, wala na tayo sa kalye. It would be silent again, everything back to normal, and she’ll go on with her normal activities. We have to be in full force so we can be heard and see results. It means paralyzing everything so that we can be heard. In unity there is strength.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: It gained media mileage for a few that overuse street rallies. The issues are still in Congress, where they can truly be addressed democratically.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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