Page Title
Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
PEOPLE POWER
Egypt & the Philippines
While Egyptians are still celebrating over the historic removal of their President for
almost three decades, Hosni Mubarak (who was forced to resign due to the unprecedented
18-day widespread and non-stop people-power marches and protests), I am reminded of a
similar event in the Philippines that happened in February 1986, called EDSA Revolution or
the Philippine People Power Revolution. This historical event caused the ouster of then
President Ferdinand Marcos and his replacement by Corazon Aquino, the widow of
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Marcos' political nemesis. The similarity, however, is only on the
massive gathering of people calling for the president to step down and allow democracy to
take its course in governance. The difference is clear, though. While Marcos was replaced
by Corazon Aquino, who ran against Marcos in the snap presidential election of Feb. 7,
1986 (and believed to have won that election), Mubarak was replaced by a military junta. As
of this writing, therefore, I am not sure what will be the place in government for the
progressive groups that initiated the successful people’s revolt in Egypt. We’re not seeing
any democratic rule in Egypt yet … until the military steps down. It is my hope … and prayer
Egypt & the Philippines
While Egyptians are still celebrating over the historic removal of their President for
almost three decades, Hosni Mubarak (who was forced to resign due to the unprecedented
18-day widespread and non-stop people-power marches and protests), I am reminded of a
similar event in the Philippines that happened in February 1986, called EDSA Revolution or
the Philippine People Power Revolution. This historical event caused the ouster of then
President Ferdinand Marcos and his replacement by Corazon Aquino, the widow of
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Marcos' political nemesis. The similarity, however, is only on the
massive gathering of people calling for the president to step down and allow democracy to
take its course in governance. The difference is clear, though. While Marcos was replaced
by Corazon Aquino, who ran against Marcos in the snap presidential election of Feb. 7,
1986 (and believed to have won that election), Mubarak was replaced by a military junta. As
of this writing, therefore, I am not sure what will be the place in government for the
progressive groups that initiated the successful people’s revolt in Egypt. We’re not seeing
any democratic rule in Egypt yet … until the military steps down. It is my hope … and prayer
… that the Egyptian transition to democracy be smooth and brief. People power revolution will have no meaning if
it’s the military that will rule over Egypt after all.
The 1986 Philippine People Power became famous all over the world for succeeding to topple a 20-year old
regime sans guns and violence. This is another glaring difference. Filipinos used the power of prayer while they
built the numbers at EDSA (acronym for Epifanio de los Santos Avenue). It was no secret that the Catholic Church,
then headed by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, sent out an army of prayerful nuns, priests, and lay persons. They
manned the front lines of protest groups, braving the threat of armed tanks ready to fire upon them. Without guns
and bullets, they defeated an army that proved powerless against the Church and its believers. In this instance,
Filipinos disregarded the separation of Church and State in order to oust a dictator and a corrupt government.
When Corazon Aquino took over, the process of rewriting a new Constitution, electing government officials by
democratic means, and purging the government of corrupt folks and practices began. This historical first in the
Philippines has become a huge celebration and day of pride for the Filipinos every February 25 of the year.
Madison & Wisconsin
People Power was at work in Wisconsin for several days in February. Wisconsinites, particularly public sector
employees, their supporters, and progressive groups marched and rallied in the State Capitol, to protest Gov. Scott
Walker’s Budget Repair Bill! Thousands upon thousands came every day, primarily focused on the elimination of
the right of most state workers to collectively bargain. This spells doom for their pensions and health care benefits.
This union-busting scheme of the newly elected governor has incurred the ire of the protestors, which included
teachers and school staff. Madison Metropolitan School District, for example, closed for several days as a result,
and I could just imagine the frustration of Superintendent Dan Nerad, who obviously was caught in between two
huge boulders-- the right of teachers and staff to protest an injustice and the right of students to get the education
they deserve from their schools. Many teachers called in sick and joined the rally in the Capitol. Similar
demonstrations, although in smaller numbers, were likewise held in other parts of Wisconsin, to match the
Madison rallyists’ determination to grab the governor’s attention. Even police officers and firefighters, who are to be
exempted from the bill’s coverage, reacted very strongly against the bill. Racine Police Association Pres. Todd
Hoover and the Racine Firefighters Union Executive Board in a press release dated Feb. 18 wrote that while law
enforcement has been exempted from the provisions of the adjustment bill, the bill unfairly overreaches in several
ways and will detrimentally impact many people with whom they work on a daily basis, including teachers, city
workers, dispatchers and county jailers, the latter of which also put their lives in danger each and every day.
I’m not sure what happens next if Gov. Walker and the Republican-led Wisconsin State legislature doesn’t
flinch, and if the Democratic legislators continue to be absent in the sessions in order to stall the budget bill's
approval. I’m not sure what happens next if people power fizzles out and the tea partyers with their huge financial
supporters pour in great numbers to protect Gov. Walker. I’m not sure how far this protest would go. But I’m hoping
Gov. Walker would realize that union-busting is an assault on working families, and that should his action be
successful, its negative impact will be felt big time not only in Wisconsin but nationwide.
It’s high time for all concerned citizens to join the people power movement in Wisconsin to awaken elected
officials and force them to come to their senses. These pols must realize that they serve at the pleasure of the
people, and not the other way around.
it’s the military that will rule over Egypt after all.
The 1986 Philippine People Power became famous all over the world for succeeding to topple a 20-year old
regime sans guns and violence. This is another glaring difference. Filipinos used the power of prayer while they
built the numbers at EDSA (acronym for Epifanio de los Santos Avenue). It was no secret that the Catholic Church,
then headed by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, sent out an army of prayerful nuns, priests, and lay persons. They
manned the front lines of protest groups, braving the threat of armed tanks ready to fire upon them. Without guns
and bullets, they defeated an army that proved powerless against the Church and its believers. In this instance,
Filipinos disregarded the separation of Church and State in order to oust a dictator and a corrupt government.
When Corazon Aquino took over, the process of rewriting a new Constitution, electing government officials by
democratic means, and purging the government of corrupt folks and practices began. This historical first in the
Philippines has become a huge celebration and day of pride for the Filipinos every February 25 of the year.
Madison & Wisconsin
People Power was at work in Wisconsin for several days in February. Wisconsinites, particularly public sector
employees, their supporters, and progressive groups marched and rallied in the State Capitol, to protest Gov. Scott
Walker’s Budget Repair Bill! Thousands upon thousands came every day, primarily focused on the elimination of
the right of most state workers to collectively bargain. This spells doom for their pensions and health care benefits.
This union-busting scheme of the newly elected governor has incurred the ire of the protestors, which included
teachers and school staff. Madison Metropolitan School District, for example, closed for several days as a result,
and I could just imagine the frustration of Superintendent Dan Nerad, who obviously was caught in between two
huge boulders-- the right of teachers and staff to protest an injustice and the right of students to get the education
they deserve from their schools. Many teachers called in sick and joined the rally in the Capitol. Similar
demonstrations, although in smaller numbers, were likewise held in other parts of Wisconsin, to match the
Madison rallyists’ determination to grab the governor’s attention. Even police officers and firefighters, who are to be
exempted from the bill’s coverage, reacted very strongly against the bill. Racine Police Association Pres. Todd
Hoover and the Racine Firefighters Union Executive Board in a press release dated Feb. 18 wrote that while law
enforcement has been exempted from the provisions of the adjustment bill, the bill unfairly overreaches in several
ways and will detrimentally impact many people with whom they work on a daily basis, including teachers, city
workers, dispatchers and county jailers, the latter of which also put their lives in danger each and every day.
I’m not sure what happens next if Gov. Walker and the Republican-led Wisconsin State legislature doesn’t
flinch, and if the Democratic legislators continue to be absent in the sessions in order to stall the budget bill's
approval. I’m not sure what happens next if people power fizzles out and the tea partyers with their huge financial
supporters pour in great numbers to protect Gov. Walker. I’m not sure how far this protest would go. But I’m hoping
Gov. Walker would realize that union-busting is an assault on working families, and that should his action be
successful, its negative impact will be felt big time not only in Wisconsin but nationwide.
It’s high time for all concerned citizens to join the people power movement in Wisconsin to awaken elected
officials and force them to come to their senses. These pols must realize that they serve at the pleasure of the
people, and not the other way around.