Taguiwalo's ''Do you hear the people sing?"
Professor Judy Taguiwalo's swan song "Do you hear the people sing?" is the French revolutionaries' equivalent to our "Bayan ko". These are songs for activists and the rallying cry for those who stand up against the ruling class, abuse and injustice. I first heard that song in the New York Broadway musical ''Les Miserables" in the late 80's. I shed tears upon recalling our activism years in the 60's and 70's taunting the police, the PC, Metrocom, and the dreaded Presidential Security Group. We were hit by truncheons, dirty water from the fire trucks as we held hands together singing "Bayan ko''. Judy's chosen song is a promise that the fight is not over. She will continue to stand for the people, truth, and justice.
The rejection by the Commission on ''Disappointments" of her appointment was expected and deplorable. Expected because honest, pure, and clean public officials have no place in the world of the dirty, traditional, and transactional politics of patronage. Judy was judged by a bunch of unworthy jokers. She should have known that from the very beginning. She should have remembered that a revolutionary and principle-based public servant is like a lamb in a den of lions. People like her and Gina Lopez, who would not play the dirty game of "I scratch your back and you scratch mine'' would not last long in a house of ghosts. They were eaten alive.
If an incompetent like Martin Andanar (who runs the Philippine News Agency that does not know the difference between the Department of Labor and Employment and the DOLE Philippines) can breeze through that commission, how can an honest and competent DSWD secretary be rejected? In the words of Tito Sotto, "baka na ano'' lang ang Senado kay Taguiwalo. Because she refused interference from any trapo in the disbursement of public funds. She stood on principles and refused to be used by any political group to advance partisan and selfish agenda. If a non-performing asset like Art Tugade (who cannot even improve our transport system) passed this questionable confirmation process, why not an outstanding public servant like Judy? Well, the solons might not have not heard the people sing the songs of angry men.
We are not naive enough to believe Taguiwalo's rejection was not given an imprimatur by Malacañan. Although Secretary Ernie Abella said Malacañan was saddened by the rejection, my reaction is: tell that to the marines. The people may be silly or even crazy at times but they are not stupid. Taguiwalo's rejection was collateral damage of the collapse of the peace talks with CPP/NDF. Expect DAR Secretary Mariano and Liza Masa to be the next collateral damage. That is how the cookie crumbles. In the dirty games of big trapo politics, when the elephants collide the small mice are bound to be trampled upon. But then again, Judy's song should warn them: "Do you hear the people sing? Singing the songs of angry men. It is the music of the people who will not be slaves again." Trapos will have their day in the barricades.
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