The lamentable era of Marcos' 'New Society' created a more diverse bust sick society edifying "power versus reason".
There never was any instance during the Commonwealth period under the leadership of charismatic Manuel L. Quezon and amiable Sergio Osmeña, then president and vice president respectively, that the security forces like the armed forces and the police organizations wielded so much clout in political affairs as done during the martial law years and continued to this day despite the constitutional mandate of the supremacy of civilian authority.
Perhaps such paradox obtaining in our own construction of democracy could be the rise of new dimensions in socio-political realm, influenced by worldwide events with the political activism of the military-police organizations with the permanent fixtures on the scene of ideological perverts, both political and religious, aside from the proliferation of pseudo-human rightists but actually radical Right. In the periphery are the criminal elements bidding for the right to execute political opponents "if the price is right". This is only a portion of a "sick society".
Lest we forget to examine the anatomy of our politics that its mechanical components resemble desynchronized parts with no guarantee to meet the litmus tests of durability and efficiency of a wholistic party machine.
Sadly, we cannot claim of any folk-soul (volkgeist) as political theorists would call it as the basic psyche of a politically organized society with definite goals. This is one major flaw in our community which gives the public figure a sort of superiority complex and a condescending attitude towards his constituents after being "blessed" in an election with suspect votes, courtesy of the robot-like ward leaders, let alone the filthy accounting of the electoral processes.
In another portion of the socio-political spheres, popular discontents or issues, real or imaginary, are channeled through religious organizations competing its efficiency with the established print and broadcast media. The two institutions are the two most potent foes of any administration. Speak not of objectivity because it is a thing of the unremembered past.
The ideological posturing of the "civil society" which prominently figured in the recent past in various issues including the coup attempts from the Makati Oakwood Prime Apartment affair to the siege of the Manila Peninsula Hotel, the sum total is the radical right adventurism but succeeded in having one of the putsch leader elected as senator of the realm. Does it not sound queer?
While we have astounded the world with the 1986 People Power revolution driving the conjugal dictatorship out of the country, said phenomenon has gradually deteriorated into plain mob rule as we see today the so-called progressives assaulting the seat of governance like the Manila City Hall where "sympathizers" of de-licensed operator of a private slaughterhouse exhibited their interpretation of the freedom of expression. The throwing of "paint bombs" at the fuel firm is another example of the deterioration of the law and order.
Disrespect for the rule of law is now widespread. If ever any of these cretins are harmed, a loud howl of protests reverberate the air that a gross violation of human rights is again committed!
The intention of the militants in raising their voices with vitriolic verbal assault on any public figure that they wish to foment anger among the people is unmistakably aimed directly at foreign audiences, aside from local consumption.
It is often recorded in history that "street noises" are the harbinger of the total collapse of governmental agencies unless the options or rights of the State are vigorously used in accordance with the "rules on engagements".
Ironically, organizations pretending to abide by the legal norms are actually vehicles for dissidence. There is always the subtle media strategy adopted by the opposition as well as the media facilities with presumptive "objectivity" facilitated by sophisticated techniques.
As we ramble on various socio-political landscapes, there is always the presence of dogmatic religious pressures adding to the wild unstable societal system. The deeper level of distortion could hardly be discerned and it would take some few intelligent citizens to inquire into the objectivity of the print and broadcast media.
Other than the usual political disturbances, there are other issues of universal significance like the ecological conditions, population explosion, fuel and food shortages, the war on terrorism, the rising power of Islam and similar religious fundamentalism pushed by their respective leaders, and the pocket wars or rebellion, etc.
Do we have brief-case answers or weapons to meet this contingency? (to be continued...)
