Credits

Saturday, October 28, 2006

The Intervenors and The Supreme Court

Many have written praises to the Magnificent 8 of the Supreme Court. Although they finally drove nail on SnB and ULAP's coffin, we failed to see and appreciate those who worked tirelessly to unmask the deception and the fraud behind the People's Initiative.

Black and White Movement started the ball rolling with their Stop Cha-Cha ni Gloria. One Voice soon followed suit and the rest was as they say, history. BnW was more vocal and took their plight to the streets talking directly to the people. One Voice on the other hand took the diplomatic route and used the media to explain their advocacy. The two took different paths but had one goal, to unmask the biggest fraud the illegitimate administration had undertaken. What began as a lonely fight turned into a rout when several groups and individuals joined the fray.

The Senate, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Alternative Law Groups, Bayan, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Ecumenical Bishops Forum, Migrante, Gabriela, Gabriela Women's Party, Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, League of Concerbed Professionals and Businessmen, Solidarity of Health Against Charter Change, Health Action for Human Rights, HEAD, Partylist Congresswomen, Trade Union of the Philippines, Phil. Constitution Assoc.-PHILCONSA, Phil. General Trans. and General Workers Organization, Sulong Bayan Movement, PMP and several individuals rounded up the long list of intervenors.

The diligent work of going thru millions of documents was provided by legal volunteers. They exposed anomalies in the PI process which helped convince the magistrates of the existence of wholesale fraud. All the intervenors' hard work had paid off. Their arguments were heeded by the Supreme Court and the deception finally exposed. The Supreme Court had proven its detractors wrong. There are still decent people in their institution. The SC has shown the people that the last bastion of democracy is still alive despite accusations against it.

The intervenors had shown us that there are people out there who continue to fight for our country's future. I am glad to know that there are still people who despite the apathy in our society stood up for what is right and just. To the Black and White Movement and to One Voice, thank you for carrying on the fight for democracy. And to the others, thank you too for helping fight a bogus PI.

I know the real fight has just begun, but with people like you, I know someone's watching my back.