The Philippine Online Chronicles

When you say the word “impeachment” to the common Pinoy, he will probably tell you, “Erap.” This is because the only person to have ever been impeached in our country was former President Joseph Estrada.

From Impeachment to People Power

The impeachment trial of former Pres. Joseph Estrada led to a second people power revolution. This is because the sealed envelope was not opened and it led to the revolt of the people. As a result, then Chief Justice Hilario Davide swore in Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the next president of the Philippines.

The next decade showed Mrs. Arroyo to be competent as a president, although the most vilified one in recent history. Although the country experienced economic growth under her leadership, her entire presidency was marked by serious allegations of corruption. She made Marcos look like an angel and the public has come to view her as the devil incarnate. In fact, several attempts at getting her impeached were put forth, although none of them came to fruition. She even won a hotly contested election, although not without much controversy.

Arroyo and Corona

Although former President Arroyo was never impeached, she is today facing many legal charges. How the Corona trial plays out will have a significant bearing on how the government will handle Mrs. Arroyo’s own case and how the public will receive it.

Chief Justice Renato Corona is one of her loyalists and one of her most controversial appointees. In fact, he is considered a “midnight appointee” since we was appointed to the position within two months before the end of Mrs. Arroyo’s term. Today, he is undergoing an impeachment trial for eight articles of impeachment.

We are now once again watching another impeachment trial unfold. If things don’t go the way the public wishes just like it did during the Erap impeachment proceedings, does this mean another people power revolution is in the works? After all, in this country, we don’t wait for due process. We simply take to the streets and demand for what we think we want. This is actually how PNoy’s mother came to power in 1986. It is also how former Pres. Arroyo came to power in 2001.

If that happens, who gets removed from office? PNoy isn’t the one on trial and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can’t be elected. Does this mean a mad scramble for the presidency? A conundrum indeed.

The Corona Impeachment and the Aquino Government

The impeachment of Chief Justice is closely being followed, because it carries much weight on the Aquino administration’s ability to follow through on its campaign promises on weeding out the corrupt and correcting the injustices and wrongs of the previous administration.

If the government can nail Corona, it will give credibility to the entire administration. It will probably buy PNoy time for another year or so before Filipinos start demanding a higher GDP or growth rate.

People will look the other way and be more forgiving of PNoy, even if it seems that our economy is going so slowly, it feels like it’s growing in reverse. After all, the Aquino government can then claim that they have been busy going after crooks, which is why they haven’t been able to focus their efforts on building the nation.

How this entire impeachment proceeding is handled and how it all plays out is indicative of how former President and now Rep. Arroyo Gloria Arroyo will be handled. If the government messes this up, then it may lose much credibility and favor with the people. Right now, the Filipinos are quite tolerant of Aquino’s inability to create a robust economy since it seems that his efforts are to uphold his “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” motto.

How will it all play out?

The people of the Philippines should pay attention and be aware of what is going on. Our nation’s history is once again being shaped so to speak. Who could have foreseen that we, a so-called democratic country, would end up with two presidents as a result of people power? Who could have foreseen that the impeachment trial of Erap would over a decade later be followed by the impeachment of the supreme court justice of his successor?

Who knows how the masa or the Filipino people will react? Is the government ready to handle another people power revolution in case the people don’t agree with the way things are going?

This all feels like déjà vu because Filipinos have a way of repeating the same mistakes over and over again, without seeming to learn from them. It’s the reason why we reelect the same personalities, families and people to office election year in and election year out.

If this impeachment trial is truly to be an agent of change, then we should all be vigilant and make sure that it is handled fairly and justly, regardless of whose side you are on. Also, we should all respect and uphold the law. This means allowing a person due process and not putting a person through a trial by publicity.

Now more than ever, we should hold our elected officials accountable for their decisions. They are being called to rise to the occasion, act intelligently and be morally upright. Di na pwede yung pa-pogi and porma sa Senado. Let’s hear some intelligent and educated remarks and let’s see our senators and other decision makers act with dignity.

These people, who will prosecute, defend and decide on the case of Chief Justice Corona, should make themselves aware of the law and all the legalities involved in the case. This includes acting with dignity and decorum at all times, in and out of the halls of Senate. Enough of the grandstanding and highfaluting words. Let’s all see the truth and let it be unveiled.

A man’s name is at stake here. The credibility of the entire justice system and the entire legislative and executive system are also at stake and are being put to the test.

Let’s all monitor this and push for a fair trial. Though everyone will have his or her personal opinions, there is so much on the line with the Corona Impeachment Trial. Let’s stop this bad déjà vu and create a new history for the Filipino people.

Screencap from PTV Philippines livestream video. Some rights reserved.