PHILIPPINES: People power spirit is fading, says bishop

Epifano de los Santos Avenue in 1986

Scattered celebrations around Manila commemorating the 24th anniversary of "people power" that defeated Ferdinand Marcos reflect a fading spirit of solidarity in the fight for democracy, Church and civic leaders say.

The spirit that drew more than a million people to Epifano de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in 1986 to prevent violence between pro-Marcos and anti-Marcos armed forces is now "fading," retired Bishop Teodoro Bacani observes.

"I would not say the EDSA spirit has faded but people are frustrated and discouraged as you can see with the number of Filipinos leaving to work abroad," the prelate said.

The late Cardinal Jaime Sin, then archbishop of Manila, called people to pray at the height of a coup against Marcos, who had claimed victory over Corazon Aquino in the Feb. 7, 1986 snap elections.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) headed by Cardinal Ricardo Vidal of Cebu had just issued a pastoral statement declaring Marcos’ continued rule immoral in the wake of voting fraud.

"Imelda Marcos went at night to Cardinal Vidal to appeal to bishops not to issue the letter, but it was too late," Bishop Bacani recalls.

Leaders have disappointed the people
"Those who took over after EDSA disappointed people so much," he said.
"Arroyo did so much to stifle and disregard the expression of public opinion."

The "historical moment" that Cardinal Sin and others have called the "miracle of EDSA" is now commemorated with wreath laying ceremonies by government leaders.

Manila archdiocese’s extended commemoration Feb. 15-25 includes a free clinic, Masses, Baptism, Novenas, Confirmation, Confession and First Communion.

Activist priest Father Robert Reyes marched with urban poor for housing rights on Feb. 24.

Key coup leaders Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and ex-president Fidel Ramos have not officially announced they would join the traditional re-enactment of the meeting of civilian and military rebel forces at the height of the people’s revolt on Feb. 24.

Corazon Soliman, former Arroyo Cabinet member and now Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III’s campaign group officer, says the "factionalized celebration" of EDSA 1986 reflects people’s sense of "betrayal" by the leaders who stood for democracy freedom, justice and truth.

Bishops have become divided
Bishops have also been disappointing, she said. "The Catholic bishops’ hierarchy has really become not that credible because they’re also divided," Soliman explained.

She cited the CBCP’s "silence and unclear responses" to scandals involving Arroyo’s administration and claimed this was because many bishops were "tainted and tempted by favors and donations to projects against poverty."

"I was hoping the prophetic voice of the Church would be more unified and pronounced as those of some priests, Religious congregations and a few solitary bishops," the former social work department head said.

Soliman and Bishop Bacani agree that the hope for a more effective role of the Church in pushing forward the gains of people power lies in lay people, not the bishops.

"The bishops wanted to adjust their role, presuming the laity might already take on a larger role in society and politics," Bishop Bacani said. "Unfortunately people are still looking for a Cardinal Sin type of role among the clergy at a time when the era for such kind of leadership has already passed."

February 24nd, 2010
‘People power’ in basic communities can fight corruption

[UCAN]