Monday, March 24, 2008

Cory and the Cancer Curse


Twenty five years after the death of her husband, the former Senator Benigno Aquino; Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco-Aquino, the Philippines former and most reluctant President is facing a serious threat on her life with cancer of the colon. The news was released to media by her only son Benigno III and youngest daughter Kris. The country's yellow symbol of struggle, best remembered for challenging the powerful dictator Ferdinand Marcos for the Presidency; who braved the formidable machinery and political stranglehold of Marcos throughout the country to restore democracy, is now fighting a tough personal battle at this late stage in her life.

The former housewife who stayed in the background to support her husband's political career, was thrust into the forefront of the murky waters of Philippine politics upon the assassination of "Ninoy" Aquino in 1983. She was catapulted by wave upon wave of people who looked up to her as their hope for change and a better life. Her most important legacy was the restoration of democracy in the country. However, the social order that she knew based on her experience, and the movers of democracy that she was familiar and comfortable with, were of the elitist and oligarchic nature that became the pillars of her restoration efforts. The change she instituted was a return to the system before the Marcos tyranny took effect; a system that had built in diseases of corruption from where the corrupt martial law regime was superimposed.The seeds of martial law were deeply embedded in this old system.

After her term, her popularity and influence began to wane. Part of the reasons were the expectations left unfulfilled and the global influence she failed to capitalize on, such as debt repudiation. Also, her personal campaign for the retention of US bases, and her support for the Presidency of Gloria Arroyo through another People Power - whom she now opposes together with Former President Estrada - the one she helped depose to install Arroyo. The people have become wary of this method, and now see it as nothing but a power grab to hoist the ambitions of a few who do not want to spend so much, or who cannot wait, or worse, cannot expect to win.

Cory had the noblest of intentions, and was the most distanced President from the perks of power. However, the limits of her grounding in politics and governance hindered the critical decisions that could have benefited the country more. It is rather unfair that cancer should strike her down. Perhaps the struggles and humiliation she experienced during the martial law era, plus the pressures and impositions of the Presidency had weakened her resistance to the deadly cells of cancer. She epitomizes the restored Philippine democracy, where the Filipinos, who have struggled long and endured much suffering, were vested in a restored system that is currently being eaten by the cancer of corruption, from which there seems to be no escape, no hope, and no change.

Haaarrrwwwwk...Twoooooph...Ting!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

President Aquino squandered many opportunities for the Philippines, but the military through Gringo Honasan and his band of coup plotters and supporters wasted much of the gains she had made.

The cancer of Philippine society is also attributable to the military restiveness that cannot seem to stay in the barracks since enjoying their heyday under Martial Law. You are correct, the old system had the seeds of the despotic Marcos Rule on top of its oligarchy and corruption. These elements are now the cancer that eats Philippine democracy. We should have retained a parliamentary form of government under a Federal system at the time Cory took over.

It's unfortunate she is stricken with cancer.

Kim said...

very sad news Durano...
it's hard to comprehend that someone who has fought battles for her country now has to battle for her life....
I hope she wins this one ...

Anonymous said...

We all die, too bad some of us have to suffer more than the others. What make matters sadder is the fact that good souls sometimes go through the worst sufferings.

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Anonymous,

The problem them was that Marcos had so abused the Parliament that in the minds of the people, it was an evil thing. Besides, the consensus at the time was to remove everything that had anything to do with Marcos. That included those that were basically correct but wrongly practiced. They should have change the practice of patronage politics not the parliamentary system; and then moved into federalism. __Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hello Kim,

It is sad news indeed. Her winning this battle is largely dependent on her, if she still has the will and the desire to fight on.

She is 75, and has gone through so much. I can only pray for her now. :-( --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Mad Economist,

Perhaps the reason why some good souls are the ones who suffer so much is because God knows they can take it. Also, it will make those others who are not so good realize thatthey are fortunate not to endure such suffering and change their ways; or better still realize that others have taken on the suffering that was meant for them. :-)--Durano, done!

Right Truth said...

I'm very sorry to hear this.

Debbie Hamilton
Right Truth

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Debbie,

Thanks. It's too bad really. --Durano, done!