On the fourth day, it was all over.
By 12:10 in the afternoon of January 20th, Joseph Ejercito Estrada - the man who started an otherwise immaculate legacy through the silverscreen that soon winded up in Malacanang - summoned all his artistic efficacy and gave his greatest performance by leaving the Presidential Palace, as the curtain fell down for the last time on his political career, on his cabinet and on his presidency. It was an ignoble end for a once popular leader, who left at the very precise moment when an indignant-turned jubilant crowd massed at the foot of Mendiola to demand his resignation and celebrate their newly won victory.
All in all, the event was swift, bloodless and constitutional. Thus, for the second time, the Filipino people armed with nothing more than fire in their temples and hope in their hearts, have once again removed from office a felon disguised as a public official. With bravery and fiesta-like exuberance, more than two million people gathered at EDSA before the final march to Malacanang, unmindful of the personal and physical consequences of their actions and the bodily harm that may ruin upon them. For that, the Filipinos vindicated themselves in the eyes of the world, with honor and democracy intact, proving that they are a people worth dying for.
And as the Filipino people mark their new sense of pride and empowerment, their fellow Asians join them in their celebration and emulate the valiant efforts that they have so bravely shown. Even as this piece is being written, the Malaysian opposition is massing in the streets of Kuala Lumpur to demand the ouster of virtual dictator Mahathir Muhammad and institute genuine reformasi in Malaysian politics.
However, no matter how laudable our victory may be, our democracy remains fragile. Ousting a corrupt movie actor from the presidency is only the first step - the initial stride towards strengthening our democratic institutions and instilling a sense of public responsibility among the citizenry. With sturdy structures of democratic governance and a people made aware of their own capacity and rights, vigilance shall always be maintained, thus insulating society as a whole from future tyrants and ill-intentioned officials.
But the greatest lesson that we must learn is that people power is not only about ousting a corrupt and illegitimate ruler. It is not only about replacing a tainted government with a new set of leaders. Rather, it is about empowering ourselves - the citizens - and extracting justice from those that have done us harm.
In that regard, Joseph Estrada must never be allowed to escape criminal liability. He must not be allowed to be nestled away in a God-forsaken corner of the earth, with his millions, mansions and mistresses. No! Never again! He must face the consequences. Before there could be forgiveness, justice must be served. The families of more than 27 desaparecidos under his two-year rule and all the 1,682 victims of involuntary disappearances under the previous regimes demand that. And the public, who went to the streets to topple his regime, deserve no less.
Hence, along with the congratulations that we are sending to the government of President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo is the hope that under this new dispensation, justice and human rights shall hold a preeminent position.
Justice must be served and a newly awakened people will see to that.
MARY AILEEN DIEZ-BACALSO
Secretary-General
ASIAN FEDERATION AGAINST INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCES (AFAD)
50 K 8th St., Kamias, Quezon City, Philippines
Telefax: 00-632-4341339; Telefax: 00-632-4350068
