THE SEVERITY OF corruption in the Philippines has gone beyond control to an extent that even the younger generations are showing signs of contamination.
Some may disagree but from my vantage point, tough times require radical moves. Oh yes, we need to reboot.
The word “reboot” in itself reminds me of the days when crooks were neutralized by an urban guerilla unit referred to as the “sparrows.”
Corruption has gone systemic. Crony capitalism in the Philippines has reached an unprecedented level. It has created an explosive social tension. The ruling class, frantic to retain its hold on power, has been amassing the country’s resources, while the rest of us are confronted with skyrocketing unemployment, dismal medical care, and the worst, involuntary hunger.
It is for this reason that several quarters have started mobilizing protest rallies to condemn the vicious cycle of corruption in the government.
I must admit, I miss the days when crooks in the government are properly, and promptly dealt with.
‘To be perfectly honest, replicating another People Power Revolution is a tall order. It is for this reason that a group of retired military and police officers are reportedly contemplating on the idea of a coup d’état.’
COUP D’ETAT
Back in the early 80s, an urban guerilla unit referred to as Sparrows would hunt corrupt government officials, land grabbers, plunderers, abusive law enforcers, chauvinist pigs lusting for flesh, greedy employers, etcetera.
But for some quarters, the use of urban hit squads may not be able to yield quick results, just like what happened in February 1986 when people came in droves to EDSA and joined the so-called People Power Revolution.
To be perfectly honest, replicating another People Power Revolution is a tall order. It is for this reason that a group of retired military and police officers are reportedly contemplating on the idea of a coup d’état.
Rumors of an impending coup d’état circulated twice this year — one in January and another one after former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested and flown to The Hague to face charges in relation to the bloody war against drugs during his administration.
On both occasions, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. assured that there would be no coup d’etat under his watch.
“As long as I serve as the chief of staff, no coup shall happen. Not on my watch. We will not be shaken by rumor nor outmaneuvered by noise,” Brawner was quoted as saying in a news article published on May 28.