No to emergency powers!

Those who suffered the long years of dictatorship under Marcos are very sensitive to this term, emergency powers. That historical nightmare is one not easily erased from one's mind or heart.

The so-called "emergency situation" that called for emergency powers and martial law was rigged and staged, from the bombing of Plaza Miranda and the alleged assassination plot versus Enrile.         

The emergency powers were monopolized and abused by the dictator who overstayed his unauthorized rule from 1972 to 1986. He was toppled by People's Power and was forced to fly out of the country, to Hawaii.

Never again to martial law.Never again to any dictator. Never again any emergency powers to be abused by anyone else.

Especially for the families of the countless killed, abducted, and imprisoned and the countless others deprived of their rights to assembly, to free speech, to movement, among others, any mention of emergency powers immediately trigger vigilance and vehement protest and opposition.

What present emergency requires granting emergency powers to any powerful official now?

MPD (from now on, allow us to call him this, as per his own request, Mayor President Duterte) mentioned this in his SONA. "The worsening traffic situation should be legitimately addressed if Congress could accord emergency powers to me. Kung gusto niyo nang madalian, isagad na. Nasa inyo yan... "Ayaw mo? Okay lang rin, pero nakita namin kung gusto n'yong madaliin-alam naman ninyo sagad na-nasa inyo na. If you will give it, fine. Tatanggapin ko 'yung pagmumura ninyo, 'wag lang sa malapit...

Ganu'n talaga, e, you've done it. It's urgent and immediate situation and solution. Gusto ninyo, okay."

With Congress controlled by his allies, already, bills have been filed in the 17th Congress to give emergency powers to MPD.

House Speaker from Mindanao Pantaleon Alvarez filed House Bill 3 granting emergency powers to MPD, proposing the creation of a "superbody" that will handle the traffic situation in Metro Manila and Cebu and giving MPD the authority to take over franchises which violate the law, as well as forego bidding for the procurement of transportation equipment.

Another, on the proposed Metro Manila Traffic Crisis Act filed by former detained GMA intends to give MPD the authority to enter into negotiated contracts, and reorganize the MMDA "to make it more effective, innovative and responsive to the traffic crisis." 

Defeated Presidential aspirant, Grace Poe, is also in favor of granting emergency powers to MPD.

Are we now witnessing the gradual post-election coming out of MPD's "hidden allies?"

We call on all freedom lovers to stay vigilant about this request and the various bills granting emergency powers to MPD!

Is traffic resolution an emergency and one worth granting emergency powers?

Should not MPD first explain to the Filipino people their clear plans and schedule and justification for emergency powers to solve traffic?

Since it is the freedom of people at stake here, should not our people have to be informed first about MPD's traffic solutions and their consent solicited related to all the details of the emergency powers requested?

Cannot MPD and his team solve the problems through "efficient governance and enforcement of traffic rules" as suggested by Rep. LitoAtienza who explained: "Bago tayo mag-usap tungkol sa emergency powers, tingnan natin kung sino ba talaga ang nagkukulang. DPWH, MMDA, the police. Dapat magkaroon munang serious study on traffic flow and chokepoints on the road.Atienza also warned that "emergency powers could even be "dangerous" because it might be abused by other government officials."

Rep. Harry Roque also warned that it could be dangerous if "shortcuts" are taken so that the government could enter into negotiated contracts for infrastructure projects." He continued and explained that "an emergency is something that's out of the ordinary. It could be caused by force majeure or external events that give rise to unforeseen circumstances. Traffic is not an emergency."

Unless specified clearly and checked, wielders of emergency powers may be tempted to extend the substantive and spatial range and time schedule of such powers.

Those under Marcos are very apprehensive the emergency powers requested may be invoked for MPD's promise to transfer Bongbong Marcos' father to the Libingan ng Mga Bayani, where only genuine heroes rightly belong!

Under the guise of solving traffic, is it possible that the request for emergency powers is a convenient military-style strategy for a forcible transfer of the remains of the dictator who abused emergency powers granted him during Martial Law? God forbid!

Calling on all freedom-loving Filipinos to stay vigilant!

No to emergency powers for traffic! No to Marcos transfer to the Libingan intended for genuine heroes!