Shaming the predators, inspiring the protesters

Myeight-year-old grandson Rafa provided the impetus for our family to join the “Trillion Peso March” at the People Power Monument last Sunday, Nov. 30.

- SONNY COLOMA

The last time my wife and I joined a demonstration there was during the annual celebration of EDSA People Power when I was serving with then President Noynoy Aquino.

The demonstrators witnessed the event on White Plains Avenue between Corinthian Gardens on one side and Camp Aguinaldo on the other. Recall that the four-day EDSA People Power Revolution in February 1986 began when a big crowd led by nuns and priests formed a human blockade on EDSA. They then marched northward on the stretch between Ortigas Avenue and Santolan Street to hold back the advance of tanks and armored vehicles, and protect the rebel forces led by then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and General Fidel Ramos who were in Camp Aguinaldo.

Their mood was upbeat and enthusiastic. They shouted slogans calling for the punishment of those responsible for the ravages brought on by massive floods: "Ikulong na yan, mga kurakot!" (Put those who are corrupt behind bars!")

We arrived just in time to listen to the speech of Cardinal Pablo “Ambo” David, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), one of the principal organizers of the march.

He recalled that during his State of the Nation address last July, President Marcos was applauded by the legislators in the audience, including those who, ironically, are now being implicated and charged. "Mahiya naman kayo," he said, then, alluding to those who had misused funds that were budgeted to stave off floods from frequent typhoons. He also lamented the seeming trivialization by the government of the poverty situation, citing the minuscule amount of ₱500 reportedly allocated as Pamaskong Ayuda Para sa Mga Dukha for a family of four’s food provisions.