Morning has broken - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

God must love the Filipino people. Imagine, He gave them two splendid chances to stage a People’s Power Revolution — and they did both with flourish, carrying no weapons of war, only prayers and will. And God saw to it that His beloved Filipinos are going to rise from the depths, that they will have a new brighter tomorrow. Yes, morning has broken once again for the Filipino people, all because of God’s divine intercession.

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There are all indications that investors will regain their confidence in the Philippine economy. That the stock market is going to bounce back with fury. That tourists from faraway lands are going to flock once more to our tourist destinations. That the diverse, clashing forces in Philippine society are going to reconcile and work together in the effort to rebuild their homeland.

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It was beautiful and inspiring, EDSA II. We demonstrated to the world, for the second time in less than two decades, that People Power can be a most compelling and powerful force. No need to fire guns of war, simply pray and show solidarity and unity — that was what we proved to the world, in our bloodless effort to topple a tyrant and a despot.

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Erap was hardheaded. He was ready to resign, after Chavit Singson opened Erap’s can of worms. But came greedy politicians, and equally hardheaded allies who refused to participate in making good triumph over evil. They egged on Erap to hold on to the presidency. Thus ended the initial round of negotiations for his graceful exit from power.

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One option in the negotiation table was for the forfeiture of all visible wealth of Erap. All his other hidden wealth would not be looked into and pried open. At that time, there was yet no Jose Velarde or Kevin Garcia in the limelight. The billions of pesos in bank accounts were yet unknown. For various reasons, this option was scuttled.

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Another option was for Erap and his families to be allowed to take flight in foreign countries. This could have happened had he not been persuaded by his political allies and advisers intruded, telling him that no, never can an EDSA People’s Power II erupt once more. Remember Ernie Maceda’s gloating predictions about what he saw would be the outcome of the raging political turmoil?

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It was his movie star status that won over the great bulk of the masa to Erap Estrada’s side in all of his past electoral campaigns, especially the 1998 presidential election. And it was the masa appeal of movie superstars like Nora "Ate Guy" Aunor and Fernando Poe Jr. that propelled Erap to a landslide victory in the 1998 presidential derby.

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Last January 18, Nora Aunor decided to join the call for President Erap to resign. Earlier, Cavite Governor Bong Revilla, together with his wife Lani, also showed up at the EDSA Shrine to air his appeal to godfather Erap to give up the presidency. Of course, other known movie and stage personalities like Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta, Rosanna Roces, Lito Lapid, Rey Malonzo, Martin Nievera, and Apo Hiking Society have also shown their support to the "Erap Resign Movement."

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What all that meant was that Erap Estrada’s movie star base, as the main prop for his stay in power, was being eroded. Soon, the popularity surveys would show the impact of the decision of Ate Guy, Vilma, Sharon and Bong Revilla, among others, to withdraw their support from President Erap. In other words, the masa had been divided, insofar as supporting Erap was concerned.

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The following prayer is most appropriate, during these most trying and troubled times:

Often we are angry
When we see wrongdoings.
Often we are mad
When we think of things left undone.
Often we’re in rage
When deep in our hearts
We are angry and mad.
But, Lord, beyond rage
Let us do something about it.
Let us do something about it.
We must,
We shall,
We will.

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Let me take pause from the raging political and economic problems affecting our country, to acknowledge the continued support being given by kindhearted and thoughtful individuals to the charitable projects of the Good Samaritan Foundation.

Among the latest donors are the following:

* An anonymous donor from Cavite, P10,000 (Security Bank 000753713)

* Faith and Jet Tiu, P2,000 (BPT 000414)

* Anonymous, P2,000 (Equitable PCIB 0176595)

* Don E. Davis, P.O. Box 81, Champaign, Illinois, USA, $20

* LVY & JVY, in memory of their father Benito Ong Yan Guan, P1,000 (Equitable 0004424)

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In the meantime, the Good Samaritan Foundation lent a helping hand to the following beneficiaries:

* Marla C. Mirasol, P10,000 for her medical laboratory expenses in connection with her breast tumors

* Claudine Yee, a physical therapy student, P500 for her school expenses

* Miracle Amoroso, an elementary school student from Quiapo, Manila, P8,000 for her school expenses.

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Looking back now at the aborted Impeachment Trial of President Estrada, some senators apparently did not realize the impact of the television camera on the public image they projected before millions of televiewers. This explains why, during their so-called clarificatory questions, they appeared like contrabidas, with offensive smirks, glaring eyes, haughty and imperious manners, and a confrontational body language that looked repulsive to the viewers. And to the great majority of Filipinos, contrabidas are a no-no, objects of hostility and anger. This is a reality in every telenovela or in any movie.

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The Impeachment Trial also had some emotional highs that made the proceedings, although at most times boring, worth watching. Consider the following:

* The January 16 vote on the second envelope of Jose Velarde

* Miriam Defensor Santiago’s outburst, as a result of Raul Roco’s colloquy.

* John Osmeña’s jolting disclosure about a hidden microphone

* Nikki Coseteng’s disclosure that witness Jose Luis Yulo was inside the Impeachment Court while another witness was testifying

* Some senator-judges’ heated confrontation with Defense lawyer Sigfrid Fortun of the issue of Delia Rajas

* The confrontation between Emma Lim and Defense counsel Estelito Mendoza.

* The eviction of three spectators from the gallery.

* The disclosure of Clarissa Ocampo that she personally saw President Estrada sign his name as Jose Velarde.

* Edgardo Espiritu’s aborted disclosure on who were the smugglers always seen in Malacañang affairs.

* The eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation between Teofisto Guingona and Juan Ponce Enrile.

* The opening statement of Joker Arroyo on the Jose Velarde check of P142 million.

* The presentation of cook Delia Rajas as the woman who allegedly presented herself as Delia Rajas before Caridad Rodenas

* Renato Cayetano’s privileged speech about Dante Tan and the Vizconde massacre

* Edgardo Espiritu’s disclosure that President Estrada and Dante Tan were partners in the BW stock scam

* The verbal clash between Raul Roco and Defense lawyer Raul Daza

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My e-mail address: [email protected]