EDITORIAL - Heroes of People Power II

Let us praise Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, the presidential drinking buddy double-crossed by Charlie "Atong" Ang, whose revelations last October about Joseph Estrada’s lifestyle started it all. Praise also goes to the other witnesses, the lawyers and lawmakers who for se-veral weeks tried to make the impeachment process work. Let us praise Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., first for his work in the Senate impeachment tribunal, and then for rallying the Supreme Court to get Estrada out of Malacañang yesterday. Let us praise Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and former President Corazon Aquino, who never faltered in their belief in the people’s ability to effect change peacefully, despite taunts even from some of their former allies that people power is dead.

The biggest praise, however, goes to the people, who are the true heroes of People Power II. Unlike the EDSA revolt in 1986, EDSA II was not triggered by a mutiny in the military, but was launched by the people themselves. This movement was spontaneous, swift, powerful. It started with an outpouring of indignation over an impeachment process gone awry, a sense that the people’s trust had been betrayed. It started with the honking of car horns, the flashing of hazard lights, the banging of pots and pans. There was a venue for the expression of such indignation, and the crowds flocked to it. Just minutes after the impeachment tribunal was suspended indefinitely Tuesday night, the streets leading to the Our Lady of EDSA Shrine started filling up with people.

The protesters expressed their disgust and prayed for change. Many refused to leave as more people started arriving with only one message: Joseph Estrada must step down. Even then, there were those who belittled this outpouring of public indignation. They invoked legal gobbledygook; they clucked that history won’t repeat itself. Yet the EDSA crowd continued to swell, and refused to go away. Tents were pitched, candles were lit, Masses held regularly.

On Friday the military, led by Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes, joined the people in calling for the president’s resignation. Let us praise Reyes for this act, which turned the tide and precipitated the collapse of the Estrada administration. Suddenly the people’s victory became certain. By noon yesterday, the country had a new president. Without firing a single shot, the people have triumphed once again.