The Amalekite in us

MANY have said that the Filipino is ever forgiving, ever forgetting.

- Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

Our culture lacks and even despises “killer instinct” so to speak, hence we end up forgiving and forgetting the offenses committed by some of our leaders in the past.A few decades ago, martial law introduced and perpetuated several abuses in the hands of a powerful few. While the 1986 People Power Revolution managed to overthrow a dictator in the Philippines, some remnants of power remained to the point that another Marcos rose to the highest throne in less than 40 years.

One American friend, who retired from the military and has been based in the Philippines for about 40 years supposedly advised both Aquinos who came to power (Cory, 1986-1992 and PNoy, 2010-2016) to find all means to insure that the deposed Marcos family cannot recover from a life in exile in Hawaii for many years. Obviously, such advice was not followed to the tee. The 2nd generation managed to come back, little by little, starting from its bailiwick in the Ilocos Region, then to Congress, up to halls of Malacanang.

The family and its cronies were harassed with the creation of a dedicated government agency (PCGG) to recover ill-gotten wealth, yet the Marcos influence was not “decimated” by the wife and son of perhaps the most vocal opposition leader during his time—Senator Benigno Aquino.

From a purely cultural perspective, such a response seems normal and acceptable. After all, historically, despite the abuses committed by the Spanish friars and American colonizers, most Filipinos appear to remain warm and even cozy with the Spaniards and Americans shortly after liberation.