Is political history repeating itself in the Philippines? When Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was gunned down at the airport now named after him. His campaigners and loyalists turned to his widow Corazon “Cory” Aquino for the leadership they wanted, and surprise of surprises! The widow of the assassinated “sure bet” was pushed into the slot he was about to fill. Now, Ninoy was believed to be a shoo-in for the presidency, which was why his opponents who realized that, made sure he was eliminated, and the surest way to remove him was in a permanent way!
***
But the masterminds in the murder of Ninoy never reckoned with the anger and disappointment of Filipinos who seemed to have only one person in their minds who was to benefit from his “permanent” removal from the scene. But the backlash of the crime was the opposite of what its perpetrators had believed. Ninoy, who was probably the best president we could ever have, was indeed removed permanently in the most cruel and inhuman way – he was gunned down in a Mafia style manner at the country’s national airport, which, his murderers, must thought would be the end of him.
***
But they did not reckon with the anger and sense of justice of the PINOY. Ninoy, who could have been the best leader, and the one our country needed, but his followers and admirers made sure that whoever did the vicious act, or ordered it, would also be frustrated in his, or their plans. His widow, then the quiet but learned housewife was catapulted to the presidency – the first female to hold the post, who surprised everyone with the way she run the country.
***
Now elections are coming again and another woman, also a widow, seems to be a shoo-in for the job but I do not know yet if she has already agreed to follow the footsteps of Cory Aquino, who didn’t do badly at all, despite the fact that the presidency was her first ever shot in politics. Will Leni Robredo make a triumvirate of women presidents in our country? Me, I have high hopes for her. So far, most of the people I know seem to favor her, because they have seen how women in politics have not scandalized them in the performance of their duties.
***
After deadly floods inundated some parts of Luzon, many people who had the means eagerly donated foodstuff, and other household needs to the victims. But some politicians started slamming him for it. I suppose they are referring to the prohibition for political candidates from giving out cash to potential voters. But elections are still far away, and is there a prohibition against helping people victimized by calamities? Also, Manny is known for his generosity, whether he is in politics or not. I hope those complainers will cease and desist from slamming Manny. If they, too, are wealthy, what have they done for calamity victims?
***
I haven’t gone to a movie in years, so it doesn’t matter to me whether they are operating or not. But I saw a scene on TV allegedly taken inside a movie house in Metro Manila, and, noted that while some did observed social distancing, there were couples who were not distant at all! Just imagine for yourself whether couples who got inside movie house really go there for the show, but for the privacy provided by the darkness. A scene from a movie house, probably stolen by someone with a camera, did show some pairs violating the social distancing dictum!
***
But the most horrible news items that appeared on TV recently was about a two-year-old baby eaten by a snake in Davao de Oro! How big could the baby been? And where were his parents at the time? At first, I doubted the veracity of the report, but surely, those who reported the incident on TV must have verified it? But if it was known that a snake had done it, didn’t anyone try to save the poor kid? I hope the authorities are now questioning the parents or guardians of the child. Such neglect could get them in trouble with the law!
***
Sometimes I forget how enterprising Filipinos are. When it was announced that cemeteries and memorial parks will be closed on All Souls and All Saints’ days, which are November 1 and 2, several families had already built ladders they will use to climb over the walls to get to the burial site of their loved ones. But we can pray for their souls in church or even at home. And for those who insist on visiting the graves of their loved ones, they can do that anytime with the same intentions. The prohibition is to protect you!*
