By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
In 1986, then Pres. Marcos Sr. had long been in power. While he still had a sizeable part of the population supporting him, there were so many disgruntled citizens already. It happens all the time in overstaying regimes. The ruling elite and their cronies start feeling they can abuse their power and still get away with it. That somehow they will still be able to manipulate the people.
Such is the delusion people in power get afflicted with after so many years without a credible opposition. But the time always comes when some change becomes inevitable. It is a part of the natural process. So the Marcoses realized this in 1986. Suddenly, throngs of angry mobs were at the gates of Malacanang. Then Pres. Marcos received the US verdict. It is time to leave. The family were led to a waiting plane.
When they got awakened to their new reality, they were disembarking in Hawaii. The Americans knew what they were doing. Had they let Marcos remain in the Philippines, his loyalists could have been riled up by him to cause trouble to the new regime. We could have endured political instability for a long time.
So the first hand lesson from that experience must have been deeply etched in the brains of the then young PBBM.
When PDU30 became a problem, the first order of business was to get him out of the country so he could not get his Mindanao loyalists to become crazy and be a big trouble to those in power, PBBM and his relatives.
Therein lies the trap. With those in power belonging to one extended family, it would not be long before they start abusing their power. Naturally the next stage would be a new clamor for a change. It’s a natural process.
Can the clamor for change be prevented? The only way is to preempt it by instituting changes for the better. But that always never happens for that would mean going against one’s self-interest.
The signs are already here. Look how the Marcos-Romualdez clans are consolidating their powers instead of concentrating on improving the lives of the people. Sooner or later, these will result in clamors for a change.
Before we end this, will the Dutertes be able to bounce back? I very much doubt it. With him languishing in jail in the Netherlands, his children will be like fish out of the water unable to get hold of the right political bearings.
For they have yet to learn their ABCs in the real world. Such is the misfortune of those born to power and privilege. Time for others who might have been considered nobodies to shine.**
