All's well that ends well

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
12/6/2006



Nicole didn’t sell out, and won. That’s the important point. Like many in this society it is a victory by an individual who slugged it out against the “system”. It’s like Paquiao, the whole country rode on his victories and he obliged to give credit to the country; in fact the country’s poverty put him into poverty that compelled him into such a thankless career. So is it in Nicole’s case: thrust into a livelihood that opened her to bar girl indignities. In the jubilations over Nicole’s victory, is anyone looking at how to erase the evils that fed Nicole to such a fate? – No.

Even if society has failed the countless Nicole’s in the country, Nicole still survived with her dignity intact; but what is her future? Is it back to the bar for Nicole? A judge is now being praised for the decision defying the ominous stare of the U.S. State Department on the case, and maybe it is well deserved. But why should there be such effusive praise for doing something that is only right? Is it because doing the right thing is such a rare thing for Filipinos to see today? I am stupid for asking that question, of course doing the right thing is rare here – you hardly see it anymore.

Aside from some individual satisfaction, what does Nicole’s victory really mean for us and the country, end of the iniquitous relationship with the U.S. ? The presence of the foreign forces continues despite its glaring violation of the nation’s sovereignty and dignity should make it plain – nothing changes. That Nicole’s offender will be held in U.S. custody pending appeal is another sobering reality demonstrating that the Philippines still kneels prostrate before the foreign overlord, - thanks to political leadership that pays lip service to independence then turns around to suck up to the U.S.

For Nicole at least: All’s well that ends well. The rest of the country will continue to live in slavery to the foreign power that is now readying Mindanao for a final plunder. The U.S. is taking control of the Land of Promise, sopping with cheap favors the communities of the Philippine’s potentially richest island, in return to take its unbounded blessings such as hydrocarbons and future’s energy source – deuterium; at the same time controlling the crucial sea lanes to the China Sea. The Philippines, potentially among the richest in Asean, will continue to be looted “till Kingdom Come”.

Will the Philippines have a happy ending as Nicole in her individual capacity has achieved? Not until the Philippine muster the national will as Nicole did her individual will; but that national will certainly will emerge for, like Nicole, after long years of indignities the realization will rise that we have suffered enough and will not longer take more. When there’s no lower place to sink to then one must struggle up to gasp the air. We see this happen again and again in human life and human history, like two news items we saw in the papers yesterday.

The two news items were juxtaposed by one newspaper and it struck me how after decades of tribulations two countries in South America have finally achieved redemption.

The news were: Chile's Pinochet fights for life after heart attack, and Chavez wins re-election in Venezuelan landslide. Pinochet, the butcher of Chile’s liberal and socialist activists (following Henry Kissinger’s diktats), is facing the grim reaper now and without the benefit of pity on his soul here on earth where he is rebuke by his country and history.

Among those Pinochet jailed is now the President of his country: Michelle Bachelet.

Venezuela has been through a decade of privatization of its economy and its national wealth, transferring billions of oil revenues to American companies and impoverishing Venezuela. Chavez’s 61.4% landslide confirms beyond any doubt the support of the people for his policies of re-nationalization of their nation’s patrimony and social welfare programs. Chavez was jailed after a coup attempt where score were killed but after liberty went on to win his first term that was deposed for a day or two by leaders of the oligarchy, but was restored by constitutionalist officers.

Defying economic orthodoxy imposed by the West, defying the threats from the American Right represented by Christian preacher Pat Robertson who called for his assassination, breaking the taboo of shunning Fidel Castro, nationalizing oil wealth to launch massive social programs, Hugo Chavez has won and sealed his victory and the victory of the Venezuelan masses. Chile and Venezuela are examples of societies and countries that have gone to the depths but found the national resolve and liberation. Like them, Filipinos must also rise and join as one nation to redeem itself too.

With the Philippine’s national morality and the political-economy going to the dogs Filipinos have reached the depths of despair, yet despite it all hope still springs from efforts countless heroic Filipinos to change the situation. The other day, progressive Church and civic leaders has Christmas mass with the Oakwood young officers. In Congress, Gloria and de Venecia have failed to manipulate the rules to short-cut the Cha-cha. Maybe we can thwart No-el and El-No (elections in November instead of May) and depose Gloria by elections. Maybe it’s the season’s spirit– I see an early happy ending.