Maybe Its You

an open letter

To Those Who Are Not Out in the Streets

(A response to the email of one S. C. Austero)

Dear S.C. Austero and Others Who Are Not Out in

the Streets,

I too, am angry. I am angry that there are people like you who have become so jaded, so cynical that

you would rather "lose our freedoms and our rights just to move this country forward," meaning wherever GMA and her cohorts are taking it.

Let me make it clear. I don't claim to speak or fight for you or the entire Filipino people. I want GMA out for the sake of MY rights and MY freedoms. I will fight any government that steals MY vote, MY

taxes, that lies to ME and tramples on MY human rights and civil liberties. If you don't want to join me in this fight, then don't. I'm sure there are many others who believe that government is there to serve the people, not rob them blind.

In accepting GMA for all her failures, at least you're honest enough to admit that you have lowered your standards about what a leader should be. But please, don't drag us down with you. And don't blame Cory or the politicians for your pitiable compromises. How can you tell me that just because Cory and the rest of our leaders screwed us big time, then we should tolerate someone like GMA who wants to screw us even more? And you justify this by saying you've "taken the moral high ground" by forgiving her? That's crazy. It's like saying that having an extra-marital affair or sniffing shabu is okay because anyway, everybody does it. That's definitely as low as anyone's morals can go.

Oh, but you say GMA has bent over backwards so many times. The question is, in what direction? Sure, she has accommodated the demands of Jose de Venecia, her corrupt and abusive generals, her allies in Congress (whose pork barrel funds have been increased), the terrorist-obsessed Americans and big business BUT SHE HAS NEVER, NOT ONCE, ACCEDED TO THE DEMAND FOR US TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ISSUES AFFECTING HER PRESIDENCY. Do you honestly think her pathetic "I am sorry" speech was a genuine apology? On the contrary, she and her officials have stonewalled every investigation on her crimes, throwing all kinds of obstacles including the "great debate" that is Charter change just to divert public attention and obfuscate the issues.

The bottom line, you say, is that the oust GMA movement has no viable alternative. More to the point, that the alternatives are much worse than a GMA presidency. Well, I have good news for you. THERE ARE alternatives. The most progressive one is a transition council composed of untainted, credible leaders from various sectors and parties that will prepare for clean, honest and credible elections and initiate a number of social reforms.

I have even better news for you. YOU ARE THE ALTERNATIVE. Unless people like you and me