As History Is Made
By Angelica Bautista Viloria
January 22, 2001

Even as history is made, there I was, stuck in traffic. Last Friday afternoon, I was rushing home to catch the latest developments at the Shrine. I had to content myself though with hearing about the defections of the police and the military and the resignations of remaining cabinet officials on the radio as the multitude of cars on the road kept me from arriving at my destination on time. It was a small price to pay to get Erap out of office so I had to patiently go home the roundabout way, being blessed to live so close to the Edsa Shrine.

Thank goodness, the Erap movie is over. We Filipinos have done it again. We have managed to send away an unwanted leader by gathering peacefully (generally, that is), entertaining ourselves, praying, and shouting some witty or mean phrases on the side. It was surprising to see the crowd grow from day to day, with no let-up. It was uncanny but the eleven senators who thought they had done Malacanang a favor by voting not to open the second envelope, actually helped all of us realize that we had had enough.

We Filipinos are a strange and patient lot. We survive our crises from day to day by laughing, cracking jokes, getting together, and praying. Even when mounting a revolution, we are far from violent. If at all, we are just violent with our words. Where else in the world can you find people overthrowing a president and yet still have time to send text messages and meet up with friends in the rallies? Only in the Philippines.

Anyway, as we start a new administration, we are all filled with hope. I, for one, would like to see the government file cases against all those jueteng lords (who are all known anyway, from the way the impeachment trial went) and all those who have done wrong and prosecute subsequently and quickly. I'd like to hear the new president's son categorically state that he is no longer running for Vice-Governor in Pampanga in the May 2001 elections. I'd like to see all of us Filipinos remember the last few days well and long, so that 15 years from now, there won't be a need for People Power 3. Individuals with surnames we despise today should no longer dare run for or heaven forbid, be voted into office ever. It took us decades then before we overthrew a dictator. With Erap, it only took us two years. We're learning and I hope, permanently.

This then is the fourth and last of my Jueteng-gate scandal articles which started with my Raiders in the Shadows piece last November 2000. May there never be a need to write a similar series of articles for this new government.

I enjoin all readers then to say a prayer for the Philippines and all its leaders and citizenry. By God's grace, I know that we will see a peaceful and progressive country in His time.

Top of Page