I believe in the saying that a child cries when he or she starts to lose control of a situation. President Aquino almost broke into tears when he delivered his State of the Nation Address last July 28. For a moment he felt weak and sought help and sympathy. And for a moment we seemed to have understood and gave him understanding.
But when I heard his announcement that he is open to Charter change, so he could run for a second term and clip the powers of the judiciary, I took back whatever sympathy and understanding I subconsciously extended to him.
Does he not realize that he is becoming like President Ferdinand Marcos who used the Constitution to declare martial law and abolish Congress so he could have complete control of the country? Marcos, too, in his own nationalistic way, wanted a better life for our people.
In declaring his support for Charter change and his objective to diminish the powers of the judiciary, President Aquino is obviously trying to have complete control of our government and is becoming like the demons his parents risked their lives fighting against.
As I have said in the past, I did not vote for Aquino, though he is the only son of Ninoy and Cory, because he went through traumatic experiences that affected his emotional capacity to become a wise leader of this country. I am just hoping and praying that he gets to realize that this country needs a leader who is politically prudent, economically informed, socially wise and spiritually enlightened. In other words, one with such qualities, who can effectively lead our people and country to a better kind of life in the future.
—LOURDES AMOR PARAS,
lourdesamor25@gmail.com