By SIMOUN RIPLE
Spokesperson, Kabataang Makabayan (KM, Patriotic Youth)
KM Southern Mindanao Chapter
The recent Supreme Court hullabaloo triggered by the impeachment of its Chief Justice Renato Corona highlights the deep-seated and now intensifying contradictions between two representatives of the ruling classes — the Arroyos and the Aquinos — in defending their respective self-interests. One ruling class faction cries foul over railroading legal processes while the other maintains running after corrupt leaders. However, both of them only want to make sure they maintain their hold to power.
Kabataang Makabayan (KM, Patriotic Youth) in southern Mindanao believes that with this, the youth and the people should all the more pursue genuine justice and national democracy, trampled upon by these imperialist’s lapdogs. Both the Arroyo and the Aquino governments hold accountability to their crimes against the Filipino people.
Arroyo, for nine years, had showed itself as a loyal lapdog to the US imperialist. Her promise of a strong republic is a promise of empty words and high prices of basic commodities and services. 1,206 activists were killed; and political clans and her cohorts from the ruling elite have equally enjoyed special privileges with her fascist rule.
On the other hand, Aquino pledged to tread a righteous path and counter corruption. Yet he had not sided with the peasants that his family has murdered both literally and figuratively. Under his rule, Aquino continued to implement anti-poor programs such as the Private-Public Partnership which essentially privatizes basic social services; and the Oplan Bayanihan which is a crooked way of solving the root of armed conflict and only targets human rights defenders as targets.
At these times when the ruling classes are divided, the youth and the people should be more united in exposing the contradictions among them. Are they fighting for us? Will the people’s interests be upheld in this crisis among those who are in power?
The answer is “no”. The conflict between the Arroyos and the Aquinos will soon come to a compromise. Although, this outcome would definitely leave the people with the same basic problems of landlessness, lack of decent jobs and wages, no access to basic social services, and with still barely anything to eat.
Only a change of the existing system will bring genuine peace, justice, and democracy. Democracy is when the majority of the people’s call for land is answered. Justice is having a chance to live decently in a society where people are treated fairly. Peace will only exist when justice is served. No ruling elite will ever give up their hold on to power.
With this, the Kabataang Makabayan calls on the youth to be the people’s defender. Youth rise up! Take up arms and continue the national democratic revolution!
