Grrrrrr...

On Raids

We've been on some sort of alert mode since the last 3 days lest the office gets raided for housing "seditious" materials. Held a presscon today where three lawyer-activists had very interesting things to say about gma's brand of political repression. The newspapers should have something to say about it, if not, I'll quote tomorrow. Bottomline is, this regime's response to protests is ridiculous and unlawful. But the department of justice is on her side, so who's to say? Tsk tsk.

On Rallys

At DOJ yesterday, "Comrade" R asked me if i could volunteer with him to do something for photo ops. Lots of media people came, you see. The police said they won't allow us to do it, so there'll be a little scuffle. Is that alright with you? (He really asks me in English, because he doesn't speak tagalog even if he's Pinoy and has been living in the country since he was in high school, what a pity, but anyway, he loves this country promise.) I said That's fine with me. No problem. Then he added, oh, and we might get arrested.... The media will be ready in 5 minutes.

Hmmm. 4 minutes later, I say You know, i really have no problems except if they arrest us, I can't afford to be detained, immobile for days, and my mother got sick and is just getting well, I can't have my mother see my name or my face on a national paper. Any other time, i'd do it, but not today.

So tomorrow, I'll be Darna picketing at the Department of Finance. ;-)

Sometimes, it saddens me that some people only have the most negative things to say about protest rallies. It messes up the already crazy road traffic, it's a waste of time, and it wastes other people's time. Hinde naman. Not so. Others fear that protest demonstrations only cause political instability and scare off investors. Hmmm. But isn't it that protest demonstrations are actually an indication that the country is, among others, very unstable and very ineffective as far as serving its people is concerned? The protests are not the cause, but rather, the effect. (p.s. Investors don't do much for us, they take their profits out with them the soonest chance they get, but this is another story.)

Check out our statements, our calls, our demands. Makaka-relate naman kayo. Of course, there are other ways to raise consciousness and yes, we try to utilize other venues -- legislative battles, etc. (Mas maganda sana kung di na kelangan pumunta sa lansangan ng mga nanay, tangan ang kanilang mga maliliit na anak, upang makipagharapan sa mga agresibong pulis.) But taking to the streets has its own purpose and it's definitely far more sincere, emotional, and dignified rather than to create traffic jams.


On (P)Resident Evils

During pickets, it's usually the masa who readily accepts our leaflets, flyers, explaining our issues. It's usually the jeepney drivers who indulge us and blow their horns during noise barrage. The middle- and upper class can't be bothered. I don't understand (or i don't want to understand) this extreme fear.

A few managed to ask, if you want gloria out, who are you going to replace her with? Noli??? Noli is worse, if not useless. Hmmm. But isn't it sad when the people start to settle for a repressive and anti-poor regime only because they fear the next one's going to be far worse? That people should not bother to protest and express dissatifaction because they fear the unknown?

Maybe it's not going to be Noli. Maybe it's not somebody else, but something else. Maybe if we all come together, and talk to each other, we'll get what we really want. And hopefully, it's what's good for all of us. Easier said than done, i know, but dreams are free, and dreams can come true. ;-)