Sentiments of overseas Pinoys - A VOICE FROM AMERICA by Ernie D. Delfin

God really loves the Filipino people! The Philippines has once again managed to change its corrupt president with practically no bloodshed.

In most revolutions in world history, bloodshed validated the changes that were demanded by the people. Our own (almost) bloodless People Power of 1986 was proven incomplete and almost became meaningless in so many respects because the same kind of corrupt leaders were gradually able to return to power in Philippine politics.

The last two years-and-a-half witnessed the return of many Marcos cronies, perpetuated by the brazenly corrupt and immoral presidency of former actor Joseph Estrada (aka Joseph Estrada or Jose Velarde – the first four letters of Joseph and last name of his soul brother and material, er, spiritual adviser Mike of El Shaddai).

Now that the euphoria of another so-called People Power is slowly subsiding, it’s time get back to the work of turning the country into the new economic tiger of Asia. As the Philippines writes another chapter in its colorful history, leaders must never forget the past while focusing on the national priorities and objectives.

In EDSA 1, the Filipino people rediscovered their courage. In the EDSA 2, the Filipino people rediscovered their sense of morality. But whether the newfound sense of morality and vigilance can sustain the necessary changes in the governance of our leaders remains to be seen.

If EDSA 2 will turn out to be another failure to really change our country, we have no one to blame but ourselves. We must always remember that it is only in the dictionary where "success" comes before "work"!

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Filipinos in the homeland might be interested to know that they are not alone in their prayers and hopes for a better Philippines. Overseas Filipinos have similar hopes and dreams that the Philippines can start a much needed metamorphosis towards a new Philippines, a new Jerusalem. Here are some voices (and prayers) that I received through the magic of the Internet from Filipinos from all over America and around the world:

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To all the critics of President Macapagal-Arroyo, please shut up this time. Give her a break! We want her to succeed, because if she fails, we all fail. Let’s all support our leaders. Set aside your ideologies first. This is the time for progress.– Fr. Paul Marquez, SSP Rome, Italy

To give a lasting lesson to future leaders, the new government should execute the worst 200 criminals in the Philippines who plundered the country’s economy, massively corrupted the judicial system, salvaged many oppositionists and committed grave human rights abuses.– Commodore Ramon A. Alcaraz (Ret.), Orange County, California

We must now have the political will, courage and vigilance to structurally and drastically reform the culture that breeds, harbors and nurtures the so-called lower forms of life. A culture that condones, and worse, that rewards the practice of pillaging and plundering in the name of public service deserves what is coming.– David Paraiso, Integrated Technology, California

President Macapagal-Arroyo is doing the right thing by bringing one of the most honest and capable leaders of my generation, Gov. Joey Lina of Laguna, to be the new Secretary of Interior and Local Government. I am sure that Joey will be a great asset to the new Arroyo administration.– Malou Mariano, San Mateo, California

Practicing law in the United States, I admire the cold, ruthless efficiency of the US judicial system in this country. Strict time tables must be imposed to ensure that justice is delivered in a timely manner. In the absence of some radical changes, the Philippines may become well-known as the "land that justice forgot" and be forever doomed to repeat this vicious cycle of upheaval.– Atty. Norberto F. Reyes III ,Orange County Filipino American Chamber of Commerce president

Erap and his cronies must be punished! What we need now is an example. We should show to the world that no one, even if he is the highest official of the land, who takes advantage of his country and cheats his people can just turn his back and walk away. And there is not a better example in these particularly trying times than Estrada and company! – Teddy B. Cecilio, Ang Peryodiko editor-in-chief Carson, California

People Power 1 was a triumphant battle but the war was never won, which was why there had to be a People Power 2. Filipinos have just won another battle. Are they going to lose the war again? – Greg Macabenta, San Francisco, California

I hope that the Filipino trait of ningas cogon will be overcome by every citizen’s determination to achieve a decent living.– Efren Marfil, Huntington Beach, California

Hang the Dirty Eleven Senators! Or simply banish them from the Philippines. – Frank Velasco, Reno, Nevada

Filipinos need to change their cultural habits of pakikisama or utang-na-loob practices. Corrupt politicians must be exposed and prosecuted immediately to be able to nip it in the bud. – Sparky , Minneapolis, Minnesota

Erap’s waterloo was brought about by the fact that the boy was able to get out of the ghetto but the ghetto was not able to get out of the boy. – Leo Gutierrez , Saudi Arabia

To prove that the new administration is serious and credible, it must find out what happened to the man in white, PR man Bubby Dacer.– Cynthia Palanca ,Ontario, Canada

Erap should have given a permanent lesson to Filipinos that actors or actresses, no matter how popular they are, with no leadership ability or management experience, are incapable of becoming political leaders. There should be minimum requirements as to education and experience before a person can run for any public office, like private corporations mandating minimum requirements when they hire their CEOs. – Cesar Magsarili , Las Vegas, Nevada

The Catholic Church must also sanction and watch over her leaders, particularly Mike Velarde of El Shaddai. The government must not allow the use of public places for El Shaddai’s religious events and rallies. – Rudy Rubillo , San Diego, California

Some of the new leaders are getting arrogant even after only a few days in power. If they persist, very soon there will be People Power III. – Mario Rodillas , Waipahu, Hawaii

I have cried for my country and found out I’m not numb after all. For this and many other reasons, I thank you, Erap. – Rosario Sia

I knew Raul Daza as one of the leaders of the Anti-Marcos group in America with Ninoy Aquino, Jovy Salonga, Heherson Alvarez and Raul Manglapus. I cannot fathom why he just disregarded all his good works and patriotic contributions in the past when he accepted to defend a corrupt and immoral president. The respect I had for him totally disappeared when he became a lap dog for Estrada. Intelligent as they, are Narvaza, Mendoza and Daza have proven themselves as "ZAyang" lawyers of the Philippines. –Tonkling Bautista , Los Angeles, California

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The writer can be reached at erdelusa@ hotmail.com or [email protected] or readers can visit his websites at http//www.progressivetimes.com and http//www.katipunan-usa.org.