After the June 23 SONA
Which of the several scenarios do you think will happen after the June 23 SONA?
One, Duterte declares nationwide Martial Law (ML). Protests will mount. Who will come out in control, only history can tell.
Critics will, however, point out that Duterte will not need to impose ML because, already, he is acting like a dictator - his every wish followed by his minions in the various branches of government. The latest victim will be 72-year-old Australian missionary, Sr. Patricia Fox, who will be deported, based on the ruling of DOJ and Bureau of Immigration under Duterte.
If ML is declared, what will happen?
Communication, movement, freedom of assembly and expression will be suppressed. Will cellphones, social media and other forms of media be controlled? Will there be more military presence throughout the cities, towns and barangays? Will lives and rights be protected? Or will there be more EJKs, not only of alleged drug-related victims? Will there be mass arrests of critics and protesters?
Will banks and offices be allowed to continue? Or will there be some months before classes, offices and other agencies will be allowed to proceed as usual?
Will Federalism be imposed without people’s involvement and decision? Will those in power now remain in control for years, beyond the 1987 Constitution’s provisions?
Will Chacha push through, again without the Filipino people’s consent? Even if the courts will be allowed to continue, will cases to be filed against Chacha and Federalism be dealt with fairness and justice by the courts proven to be already biased?
Congress may be closed, the Senate and critics especially silenced?
Those who experienced ML and dictatorship under Marcos will be cursed one more time with a Duterte version of martial law. Is there another option and scenario outside of ML?
After the June 23 SONA, even if the nation will be spared ML, Duterte will still be around, with his brand of control. Will life be better after June 23?
Will TRAIN be stopped? Will government impose strict regulation of prices of food and other commodities? Will government subsidize the most needy?
Will Congress stop promoting federalism and Chacha and spare the nation of unnecessary high expense for these two proposed changes? Will there be a more serious, genuine drive against corruption and big drug personalities, including the resolution of the case involving Duterte’s son Paolo?
What about the critics of Duterte’s policies? Will the protest and campaign for genuine public service, justice, truth, and participative governance intensify?
With the BBL approval, will there be peace, less or no conflict in Mindanao?
Or for the whole nation, will peace continue in the midst of Duterte rule and the growing presence of the Chinese military in our country and territories?
What is certain is that we all need to pray more for God to take care of Duterte and his minions in his own way and time.
We are far from the kind of society we envision and pray for our people and country. We all need, as well, to continue to be more informed and become more pro-active and responsible for constructing the society we dream for us all.
We all need to unite together to bring out the best in us all, the best in our people, and our country.
Can we, like Fr. Henri Nouwen confidently say that now, we are a country where “God is God of the living, not of the dead, where God is life, God is love, God is beauty, God is goodness and God is truth?”
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