Most of those who struggled against the conjugal dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda R. Marcos, his family and cronies, never imagined that the day will come when the Marcos bunch would return to power and try to rewrite history.
The “in-your-face” statement of Imelda was really hard to comprehend: “I was always on the side of truth, and truth is God, and when God is with you, who can be against you?”
It is written that one should not use the name of God in vain — and many who were victims of the abuses and excesses of the Marcos regime could not help but heave a sigh of exasperation.
The Marcos bunch have not changed, they are incorrigible, and have not even shown any sign of remorse. They are still insisting that Ferdinand Marcos deserves to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
The Filipinos who have lived through the Marcos years — from the time he was elected in 1969 up to February 1986 — have the duty to set the record straight. They have to recall and retell their experiences with military rule, and how they felt about the State of the Nation then, and the difference in the democratic space after the People Power Revolution at EDSA.
Over the weekend, the History Channel showed documentaries titled The Assassination of Ninoy Aquino and Cory Aquino, the Housewife who Led a Revolution. By and large, they were accurate historical chronicles of the events that led to the People Power Revolution in February 1986.
The Department of Education should conduct video showings of this important segment of our history, and open discussions should be made on the importance of remembering this life- changing event.
At the outset, it is important to note that although Marcos and his cronies were booted out of the country, many cynics comment: ”Ali Baba may be gone but his 40 thieves have remained and have even multiplied!”
Filipinos are a strange species because they are the only type of humans who can laugh at themselves and make jokes out of their misery.
And yes, maybe even the jokes will help people remember and recall why it is important to take care of our freedom, and to remind our public officials they are holding offices as a public trust. They are there because the people put them there, and it is the people who are giving them their compensation and perks.
When the Marcoses were in power, they were in the “mining business”, as in, “This is mine, that is mine!” We should collectively recall, reminisce, and renew our commitment that we should never allow the return of any form of dictatorship. It is very difficult to have a government composed of people who have unabated thirst for money, power, and privilege beyond measure.
“One who does not remember and learn lessons from history are bound to repeat its mistakes!” Let us teach our children and grandchildren about the lessons of EDSA; it is our duty to set the records straight, and avert the return to power of any of the Marcoses, his cronies or his clones. Never again!
