Persecution

FIRST it was Sen. Leila de Lima, who remains incarcerated for her alleged involvement in the drug trade during her stint as justice secretary. She was followed by Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, who was removed from her post through the grant of a quo warranto petition on May 11, 2018. Now it is Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. By virtue of Proclamation 572, President Rodrigo Duterte revoked the amnesty granted to him for being void ab initio on the ground that he did not comply with the “minimum requirements to qualify under the amnesty proclamation.”

All the three personalities are critical of President Duterte. While supporters continue to shower the president with accolades for his courage, numerous sectors of society that preferred not to be involved in politics have started to lose their patience on the wanton display of abuse of power and dictatorial tendencies of the president.

When he pursued his “War on Drugs,” the killing of alleged drug personalities seems to have become acceptable, and we rarely hear of arrests of the murderers. Vigilantism is on the rise, and the authorities seem not mind. There are only two possibilities: either there is acquiescence to the killings or there could be secret marching orders issued from the top. The killing fields that once were limited to Davao City have expanded to every corner of the archipelago. Much as we condemn criminals engaged in the drug trade, vigilantism has no place in civil society.

But what is worse is the selective justice that prevails today. Those who are friendly with the administration are rewarded while foes are persecuted. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Imee Marcos have become bolder by the day in their mission to rewrite the dark legacy of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. And we have former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose graft cases were dropped by the administration, returning to power as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. This administration is not looking for convicted murderer Ruben Ecleo Jr., whose family holds spiritual and political clouts in Dinagat Island.

Who will be the President’s next target? The relentless criticisms and black propaganda against Vice President Leni Robredo may hint that she is at the top of Malacañang’s hate list. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is now fair game. He better be more careful.

The warning signs are too obvious. Martial law and the suspension of the privilege of writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao continue to be in effect until Dec. 31, 2018 and the voices of dissent seem to be hushed. The successful coup in the Supreme Court. The creation of the Sara Duterte-initiated coalition Hugpong ng Pagbabago is reminiscent of the Martial Law-era Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.

If the citizenry remains complacent, we may see democracy crumble right before our very eyes.