wenty-five years ago today,
this paper first hit the streets. Ferdinand Marcos’ rule was weakening although
the unraveling would start seven months later with the killing of Ninoy Aquino.
Except for the underground newspapers, more like newsletters actually, put by
the Left and the aboveground but also critical publications supported by the
Church, the media toed the line.
Marcos was in full control, or so it seemed. Not many at the
time could have imagined the spectacular collapse of the dictatorship three
years later.
There must be a lesson here somewhere. Any would-be tyrant
should not fall into the delusion that all the resources of the Treasury, a
compliant legislature, one-party rule, and a subservient military could ensure
the continued rule of a discredited regime.
The pages of history are littered with the fallen megalithic
statues of those who had believed they could stay in power forever. But that
didn’t stop other power-crazed megalomaniacs from believing they would be the
exception. Someone we know, laboring under the impression only she stands in the
way of the country’s descent to economic stagnation, is even at this very moment
keeping on trying to extend her rule.
Which only underscores another lesson: An informed citizenry
should ever be vigilant in securing the freedoms they regained at tremendous
sacrifice.
We would like to believe we have never entertained illusion
that after 1986, our job – telling it as it is - is done. As Jake Macasaet never
tires of saying, government and the media are classical adversaries. Even under
an enlightened leadership, the media cannot abdicate its job of exposing the
lies and abuses. What more when the ruler is a cheat, a thief and a liar?
As we were writing this, we received the news that five Scout
Rangers were arrested without warrant for purportedly seeking to overthrow the
government. The attempt is supposed to kick off this week with protest actions,
climaxing in a withdrawal of support by the soldiery.
We could dismiss the arrests as another indication of
Gloria’s worsening paranoia. We won’t. Gloria is bent on staying well after 2010
and what we are seeing suspiciously looks like a government-scripted scenario to
justify a crackdown.
The threat to the nation’s restored democracy is real.
Tyranny is afoot and if we drop our guard, we will end up back to where we were
25 years ago.
To our readers, advertisers and supporters go our thanks. And may we enjoy
your continued support in the years ahead in our fight for a free and just
society.
