Can’t stop it: Flood of support for Freedom Force

It just cannot be stanched, the continuing flood of support for Freedom Force from here and abroad. I thought the first slew of letters published in this space would be enough to mirror the citizenry’s mood. And this mood is that things are not only going from bad to worse, but from worse to despair, and now from despair into hopelessness. I do wish President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would read these letters for they do represent a citizenry in terrible pain, many hoping she can still do something to turn back the tide. If her advisers and cordon sanitaire would brush me off as overly pessimistic and a doomsday prophet of foolish proportions, then I would urge the Palace to read Sunday’s column (PhilSTAR) of Prof. Felipe Miranda who heads Pulse Asia, whose credentials are unassailable. One paragraph says it all: "To everyone rich and poor like, the unfortunate image of a hopeless country is also sustained by national leaders who fiddle while their nation burns, who take fastidious care of themselves at the expense of their people." Mrs. President, act before it is too late.

Now, let’s all listen again.

Serge Montinola (businessman): "Teddy, you will always have a place in our hearts and minds. Let us all pray that more of our people will listen and help GMA do what is right for the country and not for her or her own agenda." (TCB response: The first thing she should do is slam the palace door on Ronaldo Puno’s face. He was at one time the Goebbels of the Marcos dictatorship, the shaman of the super-secret Sulo Hotel Operations which pioneered Dagdag-Bawas in 1992, the head of the accursed DILG under President Estrada until even Erap kicked him out. Before anything else, this government must have moral moorings.)

Miguel Kramer Lorza Jr (82 10th street, New Manila, QC): "Your Freedom Force initiative deserves the support of every Filipino at this our country’s eleventh hour. Our politicians are dead and would never care less for the simple reason that most of them have their fortunes, families and futures securely ensconced in other countries, to which they can take flight at the first sign of serious danger. I have been screaming myself blue and pissing against the wind for 16 years and still counting."

Ismail Pogi (address unknown): "The force is in you. I am a graduating student but I do not know after five years of hard labor in studying whether I will land a job. What is happening to our country? I hope I was not born if at the end I only knew I do not enjoy the privilege of being free from the burden of corrupt officials. May the FORCE be with you. May the Good Lord heal this country."

Jeannette (address unknown): "Please,, Mr. Benigno, remind the Freedom Force of their duty and responsibility to choose competent leaders. The things that matter most to a common housewife, vendor, commuter are right in our neighborhood — traffic, garbage, peace and order."

She has a barb for the middle class: "The middle class is so enamored of changing national politics — crowding EDSA, watching political talk shows . . . but conveniently schedule their out-of-town breaks during (ho-hum) barangay elections."

Albert Buildner (New York, educator and political scientist, now visiting here): "I have followed your columns with great interest and agree with most of your views. I hope that I will have the chance to meet you personally as I would like very much to have an exchange of ideas with you." (TCB comment: We did meet at the residence of the Montelibanos, Maria and Boy, and I found Mr. Builder very erudite and on course.)

Ed Tuano (23 Visayas Ave. Ext., QC) "I am with you on Freedom Force. Please include me in your roster (later my family and the men in my household). Please call anytime, even now, even for such things as errand work. (TCB comment: All in God’s time. When Freedom Force becomes operational, we shall call on you.)

Joy Henshaw: "I live in England and coming here has opened my eyes to the other side of politics . . . Filipinos must learn to exercise their power to influence the conduct of their government, but how — when we live in fear and awe of them."

Ms. Luisa Santos (address unknown): "Just let us know when it’s time for us to move. We support you and Freedom Force all the way. I thank the Lord for people like you to enlighten our minds, most especially my generation . . . Great men of history, statesmen, presidents all of these peoples becomes alive because of the way you write about them. (TCB comment: I must emphasize again and again that FF’s supreme duty right now is to awaken the citizenry to the magnitude of the crisis facing the nation, ignite discussion and debate to intellectual levels never reached before. Only then can the bridges to the future be built).

Benjamin Subido (address unknown): "The present system was not what Ninoy Aquino died for. Very few understand your concepts. It will take time to educate the people. But May The Force Be With You."

Percival P. Reyes: "Congratulations to the very positive response that your readers/reactors have given regarding your various columns on Freedom Force . . . It shows that Filipinos still care for what is happening around them and long for solutions through active participation. Let Us Make Democracy Work! Let Us Go Back To Basics . . . No social volcano will erupt because we can put the leash on government."

Dr. MW (Australian expat): "I came to the Philippines as visiting professor for a short-term six weeks. I am still here. I suggest that you gather as many testimonials as you can from residents, preferably those with some standing in the local community, who are genuine Filipinos . . .I am willing to assist wherever I can, albeit in an unobtrusive manner . . . I would like very much to meet you and discuss many of my impressions and how I can help."

Christian de la Cruz (Makati City): "I am a college student and not yet sick and tired of my country. If only our national leaders can focus on one thing — leadership. But they must act now, time is running out, as you have said a social time bomb is ticking, garbage, pollution, crime and corruption . . . I believe that you speak the truth. You have my vote on Freedom Force."

Albert Ber Banico (Catholic school teacher in the NCR): "Generally, I think what is happening in the Senate is a deliberate conspiracy to destabilize the whole presidential form of government and the destruction of the separation of the three branches of government . . . I hope the Freedom Force is the real freedom force to liberate the awareness of our people so that they will lead to their own liberation and not an evil force sabotaging the Senate floor."

Ryan Robles: "I graduated last year from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles . . . My decision to come back and live here was laughed at by my friends . . . I have been here a year and much of the idealism has slowly faded. The whole country has never been so divided. I love your stuff! I have never read analyses so holistic and so true. Mr. Benigno, I am with you and Freedom Force all the way. We need to stop the circus that our government leaders are putting on. I guess my idealism remains intact after all."

Joselito Esmeralda: "Do you think we need to start things now and not wait for our country to fail? Please let us know how we can join this Freedom Force."

Jude Montinola (Baguio City): "I don’t know if I’m naïve but I’m hoping GMA once reelected in 2004 will already exercise political will . . . even if it means having a fallout with her selfish, greedy supporters. Hope this dream, this miracle comes true." (TCB response: Why wait for 2004? Kick out the rascals now.)

Tony Reyes (Everett, Washington): "It cannot be denied anymore that the situation in the Philippines is hopeless . . . More and more Filipinos are leaving out of desperation. If Freedom Force can do something to solve these problems, I’ll support it. Count me in and let me know how I can help."

Whale Aria: "You have POWER, no doubt about that. Now use it more carefully and more responsibly. Your articles can create havoc for our nation . . . You are holding a tenuous WWII vintage bomb."

Tess Palacios (Daly City): "My friends are e-mailing me. They support Freedom Force. I have permission to forward to you the following letter of a religious nun: ‘There are in fact several movements trying to operationalize the concept of Freedom Force . . . Sad to say, the Church, Cardinal Sin, and CBCP are silent about the worsening graft and corruption, the shameless power play of GMA and politicians, the intensifying poverty of the people.’ Ms. Palacios adds that the religious nun is sharing the three-part Freedom Force article with sisters in her community. The word is spreading around and we continue to spread the truth."

Ramon Mayuga (Essen, Federal Republic of Germany): "The ineptness and lack of integrity are so disgusting and revolting, to put it mildly . . . I was an idealistic young man and I wept unashamedly when John F. Kennedy was killed. The reign of Marcos damned and doomed all our dreams and since then, the nation has been like a carcass in an African jungle feasted on by hyenas and vultures. I fully support freedom force. The last viable alternative our country and people have."

I have not even finished extracting from one half of this batch, so the others will have to bear with me if I cannot publish even just portions of their letters. The deluge is just unbelievable. I reiterate: GMA must be aware of the nation’s mood. She must react swiftly and positively if she is to regain her footing. Whatever her misgivings, and efforts of some Palace and Church Rasputins to bludgeon us into disrepute (that military junta canard), Freedom Force is a friendly force out to bring out the best in the Filipino.

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The last two letters have nothing to do with FF and should have been published much earlier. The first comes from Bruce Mc Tavish, vice president of Asipine Corp (Angeles City) who has handed over a cheque of P10,000 for the private prosecutors in the plunder trial of former President Joseph Estrada. The next comes from Peter Wallace, president of the Wallace Business Forum. Peter, a very familiar name in this space and elsewhere, has handed over a P5,000 cheque for the same purpose. Thank both of you.