Vox plebis

Corruption, incompetence, and calamities have converged into another dark period in history, requiring Filipinos to take control of the situation by speaking up.

The ongoing protest action is a rare event since it seeks to test the resolve of those in power who have abused their positions for personal gain.

While the stealing of public funds is a curse imposed on Filipinos since the government patterned after the American system was formed, the level at which it is exposed now takes away national dignity.

The people suffer in exchange for the lavish lifestyle of a few.

In the 1986 People Power Revolt, hope somehow radiated that a better society and politics were in the offing despite the extra-constitutional move.

Filipinos then looked forward to a government that represented their aspirations.

Not a chance. The power grab resulted in the rise of a new hypocritical breed of leaders and the replacement of old corrupt rulers with an opportunist clique.

They were exposed and headed to perdition, as several election results showed voters repudiated them.

The epic duplicity of the elite, who are making a comeback due to the desperation of the incumbent and whose scheming objective is to divide the nation, claims the protest movement is not legitimate unless they lead.

Thus, they remain infected with the arrogance that they have the divine appointment to dictate what is best for the nation.

With their conceited blinders on, they fail to connect with Filipinos who are part of the protest action outside of their elitist assembly.

The recent earthquakes and typhoons that affected the majority exposed the deep decay that has infested the government, whose officials counted suffering due to disasters as money they stole.

The theatrics resorted to were meant to deflect the impact of the untenable level of corruption.

It has been over 100 days since the scandal involving flood control projects erupted, yet none of the prominent government officials has been made to face the court.

The massive movement at the historic Luneta is the fight of ordinary Filipinos who are the biggest losers in the syndicated theft of public funds.

Based on the trade of allegations from the crooks who have masterminded the perversion of the budget, funds were stolen by inserting projects into the budget, from which kickbacks are generated.

Money is apportioned mafia-style, with those in higher positions getting the most significant chunk.

Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) organized the three-day event and welcomes protesting Filipinos to join the crusade to end the abuse of government officials, hold them accountable and return the pilfered money to the treasury.

“We are appealing to the government to conduct a just and open investigation of all who are allegedly involved,” according to the INC.

Ordinary Filipinos — not those with the means and audacity to declare they are preparing to leave the country if the current imbroglio does not turn out their way — are making their voices heard.

Failure on the part of the administration and those seeking another power grab to listen would be fatal.

The solution must comply with the Constitution and ensure that the will of the majority prevails.