THE EXPECTATION of organizers of protest rallies in key areas of the country to drum up enough numbers to drive away President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. from Malacanang sadly did not materialize.
While there were violence perpetrated in the rally in some of the many participating groups that led to the destruction of public and private properties, the incidents were considered isolated. In general, the totality of the simultaneous mass action was still peaceful.
In Davao City, its version of the mass rally was more on expressing the attendees support to calls for the release of the former President Rodrigo R. Duterte from the ICC prison in The Hague, Netherlands. Of course, as a means to stay on course with regards to the main reason of launching the massive protest which is to stomp out the systemic corruption in the government, the Davao rally also demanded a stop to corruption, especially in the implementation of infrastructure projects.
Despite all these, it is still clear that Davaoeños were more focused on having their ideas be heard by the government. Hence, it is without doubt that many in the Davao crowd last Saturday would still be thankful for whatever was contributed by them to the over-all objective of the synchronized mass action.
Meanwhile, there was this gastronomic treat that was part of the enticement for people to participate. This is other than the one hundred heads of cows being slaughtered and roasted for the attendees’ “stomach development.”
We are referring to the giant alligator-shaped cake. The alligator cake has its own symbolism. The slicing of the same cake also has another its own.
The shaping of the cake to an alligator, for us, symbolizes the existence of some politicians, especially members of the Lower House, and private contractors in cahoots with top and middle level employees of the DPWH whose greed for money is insatiable.
On the other hand, we made a personal assumption that the slicing of the alligator-shaped cake means that only a Duterte in Malacañang can successfully “slaughter” the crocodile now habitating the houses of Congress, the cities and provinces all over the country, and possibly in the Palace.
But will any such effort to put a Duterte in Malacañang succeed ahead of the 2028 Presidential election? By our own estimation, based on last Sunday’s simultaneous mass rallies, it is still unlikely.
Why is this so? Well it was clear that the various groups holding the rallies quite clearly had different agendas. One group manifested that it is only protesting and condemning the massive corruption and called on the government to do its best to end it and find ways to change the system that allows corruption to thrive.
Another group demanded that the corrupt officials and erring contractors be made accountable to their action. But at the same time, they demanded the resignation of the President.
Still another demanded for the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte who is now detained in The Hague, Netherlands on orders by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
And there was this man from Ilocos Sur, Chavit Singson, who had no qualms in asking the military to withdraw support to the President. Unfortunately for him he was ignored.
With this apparent diversity in intentions of the protesting groups, it would not be surprising if they will fail in any of their objectives.
As the common saying goes, “United we stand, divided we fall.” Yes, in union there is strength
It is, therefore, our take on this matter that none of the protesting groups will ever succeed in their real intention. But, of course, their holding of the rallies may help Malacanang achieve its desire to run after the corrupt in both the government and the private sectors undertaking multi-million projects.
Of course, the rallies must be sustained and be done in a more peaceful manner to avoid diminishing the mass actions’ credibility.
