2004 March 04

Dear Madam and Sir:

            In the midst of the excited cacophony of the ongoing electoral contest, kindly allow this small voice to disrupt and hopefully add even a pixel of sense.  I do not presume to hold any political wisdom for I am a lowly citizen but one who has seen enough in life to be able to say that where we are now and where we are headed for do not augur well for our children’s future.  It is not out of desperation however that I write but out of a pure hope that people who have the heart and mind for our nation – people like you – will go out of their way to lend their helping hand at this crucial moment in our history.  Not that I believe you are not now doing so but that it appears your hard-earned privileges as respected leaders of our nation prevent you from throwing caution to the wind to make the difference. 

            Anyone of us ordinary citizens can make a minor but worthwhile difference by participating actively and positively in nation-building but you, among our many leaders, are in the best position to steer events to benefit the millions of longsuffering and hungering Filipinos.  Yes, I believe that the combined weight of your wisdom, experiences, resources and influences – more than all the hollow and flimsy promises of some hopeful candidates combined -- will help carry us through these uncertain times.  Furthermore, not even the most unsullied, moral and qualified candidate we can think of will make it through the needle’s eye without the aid your illustrious positions alone can provide.

            Why do I say these things?

            Madam President, your husband Ninoy died for what he believed was our country’s last chance at establishing a true and vibrant democracy.  His words “The Filipino is worth dying for” still ring clearly in my mind.  So clearly that all the anthems of false hope being played around us sound like distant snickers of conscience-less mockers.  Your admirable role in bringing back life to and confidence in our institutions raised us all to the heights of glory while the whole world watched.  Your own painful personal journey through those dark years before and after Ninoy’s oblation has given you a first-hand view at what kind of strength and character is required to inspire a country to overcome the greatest of obstacles.  Your own victorious passage through the night gives us reason to look up to you for a word, a gesture or a small deed to brighten the darkened path before us.            

            Yet you have declared publicly that you will not endorse any candidate for the presidency.  I respect you for that decision for you too have the freedom as much as everyone else to do so.  I do not wish for you to turn back on your own solemn word.  Nevertheless, your silence would seem more like surrendering to the forces of darkness besetting us. 

            Do remember the first million of Filipinos who gave their signatures and the many millions more who egged you on to take up the cudgels against the dictator?  Do you remember the thousands of selfless individuals who – without machinery and funds – campaigned for you against the might of the regime?  And how about those who defied the powers-that-be to defend their ballots?  If so, then you will recall what it will take to break off the fetters of greed, corruption, violence and gloom in our midst.  In short, you will know who among the candidates is in the best position to champion such a cause.

            I know deep in your heart you do.  To remain silent in the face of the noisy, clamoring millions of confused Filipinos would come close to betrayal of the trust we had put upon your person.  Kindly reconsider, Madam President.  If not by name, then perhaps you can present your own specific list of the qualifications and qualities you demand of the next president.  The masses need you to point them to the right direction.

            Mister President, your role in the EDSA Revolution is without doubt reason enough for celebration at any time.  Every year in fact brings back joyful remembrances of that time when in the darkness of the night, support for your rebellion against the dictator kept coming.  I will never forget how your courageous stance expressed through your unwavering voice over the radio gave me strength and renewed my faith in the nobility of the Filipino spirit.  Your own administration brought about much needed rest from internal disunity and violence as well as a good measure of economic stability.      

            Still, the enemies of the country remain and gain strength by the day.  Only a strong, moral leadership will be equal to the new challenge.  You know, perhaps more than anyone else among the millions of common voters out there, who can provide that kind of leadership.  You know what it will take to lead this nation out of the despair and destruction.  You know who can inspire us all to work together in attaining that righteous governance.

            Again, I know deep in your heart you do.  To keep the diplomatic silence would mean giving up your right to lead even now by declaring that sole and suitable alternative.  I know that you are beholden by your political affiliation to support someone else but as a private citizen you are duty-bound to express your heart’s sincere desire and thus bring about a critical mass for what you truly believe is right.

            Madam President and Mister President, your loyalty to your family and your party ends where your loyalty to your country begins.  (I presume too much in giving this unsolicited advice.  But please pardon my foolishness for I believe in your own good senses.)  Now more than ever, your voices will dispel the uncertainty and insecurity that many Filipinos feel so intensely.  To cite an example, let me quote Mr. De Quiros’ sardonic statement from today’s papers (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 04 March 4, “Still, Surveys”, A12): “So far the lay of the land from where I stand is that people want change, which means that they want GMA out.  But they are scared of making a change for the worse – FPJ and Lacson – or for the unknown, who is Roco. . . .  There is a palpable undercurrent of cynicism about the elections. . . . ”

            Please notice how he -- and I until now although intentionally on my part – bypassed Bro. Eddie Villanueva.  I remember the time when you Mister President were touted about as the dark horse during the 1992 elections.  You came as if from nowhere and won the battle.  A dark horse is invisible because its character is unnoticed as yet.  People will not commit themselves to him because of natural fear for the unfamiliar.  But Bro. Eddie is neither an unknown nor an invisible character.  (In fact, you know him well, Sir.)  It is only true because many of us refuse to clearly see the alternative that he provides.  I will not dwell on that now.  Only to say that among all the candidates, he has the support of a silent group of people who are praying and are willing to work sacrificially for real and lasting change in our land.  And that silence will no longer be so when they rise up to proclaim the victory that will be handed down to us all, not by any political party through material or human advantage, but by heaven itself.  For only a nation that has remained faithful to God’s word – as this country has proven time and time again – will be allowed to witness the wonderful miracle that He has reserved for our country.  And, finally, that silence will only begin to swell up into a rousing cheer of jubilation even now if you, esteemed Madam and Sir, break the silence yourselves. 

            Let no one say however that my sentiments are meant to lead you both to become tools for propagating the interests of any group or individual.  That is farthest from my mind.  On the contrary, may we all be used individually by God to establish His reign of truth and righteousness throughout our beloved archipelago.  For God owes us nothing yet wills that He might bless those who seek Him humbly and submit themselves to His calling.             

            May the Lord grant you and your families the continued health and strength to serve our people.

Yours truly,

VR