Interpreting the meaning of events

In a previous column I suggested that we watch the unfolding of political events that are happening in the country. And more importantly, we have to know and understand the meaning of these events and the people behind them. Somehow they can help us make the correct judgments and the prudent and right decisions in the exercise of our duty as citizens of the republic.

Last week an important and significant event happened. It was a surprise. I could not believe that it would happen. But it did, and I am happy.

This was the big MANIFESTO published in the pro-government newspaper, the Philippine Daily Inquirer in its issue of 14 September 2015. The big and happy surprise was the fact that it was signed by 31 retired generals of the Armed Forces, four of whom were former Chiefs of Staff of that military institution.

This was really and clearly a significant event. First of all, it strongly criticizes the administration of de facto president Benigno S. Aquino III. It opposes as unconstitutional the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro (FAB) and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) which are mother-documents of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). It supports the decision of the Supreme Court declaring PDAP and DAP as unconstitutional. Moreover, it critics as illegal the COMELEC decisions on Smartmatic and the use of billions of taxpayers’ money.

One that makes me happy is the generals’ support of our petitions filed at the Supreme Court against the FAB and CAB as well as on the COMELEC. “Our petitions” here refers to the Philippine Constitution Association or Philconsa together with Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz and myself, and former senator Francisco Tatad and former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales.

The significance of the Manifesto is due both to its content and to its timing. The above-issues are surely and significantly serious. Timing-wise, it is perfect because the controversial issues are still unresolved.

The Manifesto sends an ominous warning to the Aquino administration and its cabinet which some groups, like the National Transformation Council, have been demanding to step down or relinquish their position. It has definitely a clear message to the men and women in uniform from top to bottom of the Armed Forces the Philippines and the Philippine National Police whose commander-in-chief is the main object of the Manifesto.

We wait. We watch. We pray for our dear Philippines.