A few days in 1972 before the late strongman Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law, the stalwarts of the Liberal Party had a meeting on the matter, which they expected to happen anytime. Old newspapers and political magazines captured a picture of those in attendance. There were Ninoy Aquino (being touted as the next president), Jovito Salonga, Jose W. Diokno, Lorenzo Tanada, etc.
It appeared on their faces that they could weather whatever political storm that was coming. But they were so wrong—and so unprepared. They fully underestimated Marcos. In a day or two they were all in jail, unable to make a follow through on whatever they talked about in that meeting. Perhaps they were just so academic while Marcos was also that and a lot more. Marcos had guts. The Liberal Party leaders only had a lot of big talk.
Just the other day, the present Liberal Party leaders had a similar meeting. There were Noynoy Aquino, Franklin Drilon, Kiko Pangilinan, etc. It was about their people’s removal from committee leadership positions in the Senate. But what could they do? Nothing. And from all indications they were not preparing for their party’s decimation. Yet that might be what is coming. Are they also underestimating Du30 and his cabal?
Whatever. There is nothing much the Liberal Party leaders could do so they are talking with some tone of appeasement for the present administration leaders. They don’t have an armed group to back them up just in case. The army and the police are definitely behind Du30.
Of course the Liberal Party can only blame themselves for their inability to get the support of where sovereign power resides—the people. Even a very powerful leader like Marcos was forced to flee the country because of People Power. But why can’t the present Liberal Party tap that same power?
Its leadership and the party itself did not do enough during PNoy’s time to uplift the welfare of the people. Corruption was so rampant and ordinary people were suffering, and all they could hear from the national leadership was the repeated incantation of “Daang Matuwid.” They were talking about improved economic fundamentals but the supposed benefits of these were not felt or did not trickle down enough to be felt by the masses.
In fact, the only visible time PNoy was so bullish about anything was when he was ousting then Chief Justice Corona. That was not for the people. That was for Hacienda Luisita, for his family’s interest. Then he endorsed another rich kid for the presidency, Mar Roxas. He was equally weak and was not seen as the hope of the people. They could not even put up a complaint center against erring government employees and officials.
So what do they expect from the people now?**