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Scared of getting a grade of D for my Taxation class, I decided to devote one of my afternoon, slumped at the library, in preparation of an examination that would hopefully save me from that deadly D or worse, an F. I was engrossed with excise taxes, VAT and percentage taxes when I suddenly overheard one of the library personnel. He’s maputi daw, mamula-mula ang cheeks at kamukha ni Ding Dong Avanzado. Ah, it was Jun Lozada, having a talk at the prestigious St. Cecilia’s Hall. Lozada had been rounding the schools and universities of the metro for talks and symposia about his allegations that government officials’, as well as the First Gentleman’s, involvement with NBN-ZTE scandal, and St. Scho was one hospitable school to accommodate him. Just last Friday, activists from St. Scho, faculties and Priority Nuns joined the interfaith rally held at Ayala, Makati City. Some apathetic students also joined for the sake of leaving their regular classes, but I bet rounded Glorietta instead.

Before this interfaith rallies transpired, I watched the broadcasted live feeds of the Senate hearings and Malacanang Press conferences and a bit of annoyance grew from me. First, I think the Senate questioning of Jun Lozda slowly became draggy and a waste of airtime. Questions were reiterated again and again; like sinong kasama mo non, anong oras nangyari yon, san ka pumunta pagkatapos non and more hours of hearing the same questions. Can’t we leave the trial at the Supreme Court and allow them to do their duly assigned task, as mandated by the constitution? Can our Senators just pick out the main points of these scandals and events and pass bills and enact them to further prevent these kinds of multi-billion corruption? The real deal about this, according to one post of an opinionated e-groups member, is that our Senators are so careful about passing bills prohibiting the involvement of the President in certain nationwide projects because even themselves are aspiring Presidents. Meaning, they could also get their cuts of the cake if they become the Chief-of-Command. Secondly, the “communal action” that the church is asking for. I perceive it as a new term for people power. I don’t have problems with people power, since us, the democratic Filipinos are the most sovereign entity in the Philippines. What I am scared of (and so is Mrs. Arroyo) is that every time the Filipino people feels unsatisfied with economic conditions, we barge into the streets and protest. We have the Supreme Court and the Office of the Ombudsman to settle complaints and cases against government officials. What I am pointing out is that we cannot blame the government for everything, the increasing crude oil prices, the weakening of the pesos, the increasing number of un/underemployed. I also have a personal belief that if you cannot offer a new solution or a better alternative, you don’t have the right to complain.

This brings me back to my admiration of CHED Chairman Romulo Neri. What struck me in his press conference is his statement about all this hype. He does not divulge other “unnecessary” information because he still has hope for the country. He cannot see the change being brought upon by the Church, not by the Opposition members, not by some leftist group, not by the Black and White Movement. He believes that the change can only be brought by the President herself. I am of course, doubtful about his remark, since he even said that the President is surrounded by “oligarchs” that highly influences her decisions.

One thing I am certain about is, this hype is not a search for truth. It is just a movement that utilized the emotions of the tired Filipino people for the fulfillment of personal motives. It may be just sour-graping for not getting a multi-billion deal or a good ticket for sure political post for the next 2010. But, come to think of it, gathering up in arms once in a while definitely shows that the EVIL is countering masasamang damo, too. As one political figure said, “Mabuti narin yung ganito (rallying), at least we could start by scaring the wits out of her (PGMA).”