People power alive, well on social media

UNFAMILIAR Confetti fall on a group celebrating the 33rd anniversary of People Power at the People Power Monument on Edsa. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

To my 10-year-old son PJ,

Time really flies. It’s hard to imagine that you’ve grown so fast, you’re almost the same height as your mommy.

But it’s also difficult, deeply disturbing, really, to hear you quoting your classmates’ hatred of the country’s past President, his mother, who was also a former President, as well as the family’s head, whose martyrdom led to the kicking out of a dictator and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.

At the same time, you say that the same classmates are happy in their praise of our current leader.

It begs the question: Why?

It’s not bad to ask for the reasons your classmates hate the Aquinos, and it’s not a crime either to let your classmates explain why they think President Duterte is a godsend.

Spirit of people power

These things bear much weight on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the People Power Revolution, or Edsa 1.

But it might be boring to again tell you what I did on Feb. 22 to 25, 1986 — even as you like listening to my recollection of those four days that were filled with hardship and danger.

Instead, I will try to point out the significance of Filipinos coming together for one purpose and achieving it, although many people are now mad over what happened in the years after we got rid of Marcos and regained freedom.

If radio was the key to Edsa 1, and if text messages made Edsa 2 (Jan. 17-20, 2001) happen, I believe that the spirit of people power is alive and well on social media. This is not to say that the small rallies on Edsa protesting various decisions and actions of Mr. Duterte mean nothing.

The point is, the noise that netizens make online have led to the resignation or firing of government officials, including National Irrigation Administration head Peter Laviña, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Tourism Promotions Board chief Cesar Montano, Bureau of Immigration Deputy Commissioners  Al Argosino and Michael Robles, and Assistant Communications Secretary Mocha Uson.

These people got into hot water for various reasons, and the press reported their wrongful actions, but they wouldn’t have caused too much embarrassment for Mr. Duterte were it not for public outrage on Facebook and Twitter.

Sins of Aguirre, Uson

For example, are you aware of the sins that Aguirre and Uson committed?

To recall, Aguirre, as justice secretary, did not stop his men from lifting the conviction of the drug lords who turned witness against Sen. Leila de Lima, who is now in jail for a crime the government can’t even decide to define due to the absence of evidence.

Worse, Aguirre was so lax, his office virtually let Peter Lim, a suspected drug lord, escape after the Department of Justice dismissed charges against him.

These all happened without public knowledge, until the press found out and netizens called for Aguirre’s head.

As for Uson, her attention had been called time and again for spreading fake news on her Facebook page, even as she kept denying that she was guilty.

Things got so bad when she posted online a video that made fun of the concept of federalism. That spelled her doom.

Things to understand

But going back to the Aquinos: I wouldn’t consider Cory a saint, but she rose to the occasion when we needed someone to replace Marcos.

I wouldn’t consider Noynoy faultless for the mistakes of his presidency, but he inspired honesty and decency in public service and even improved the economy.

I wouldn’t consider Ninoy the best President we never had, but he was so brave that he returned from exile, believing the Filipino was worth dying for.

The things I’m saying will most likely be ignored by your classmates, but these are meant for you to understand, not today, but in the near future, when you are old enough to form your own opinions based on real events and not on fake news.

As for Mr. Duterte, all I can say, for now, is that many people regret having voted for him. The reasons can be found in the news, and most especially on social media.

One thing I can advise you as a father who works in the media is that you must not be afraid to speak the truth.

Love,

Daddy Poch