"A premature, 'Pinoy' Thermidor"
As the system continues to consolidate its position in today's society, it seems that it unveils the contrary to what people expected from them. With reforms leaning to a particular sector to those of its bloodied campaigns, the so-called revolution (supposedly) being babbled by apologists isn't revolutionary at all- but instead a counterreactionary kind of "Thermidor".
Sounds strange at first, especially in using an word that's archaic, for that word "Thermidor" was used during the French Revolution in referring to the era from Robespierre's ouster and its desire to reverse the effects of the revolution- trying to restore some semblance of normalcy as possible, and one characteristic of that scenario was the fact that the government was formally controlled by the members of the same party. "Part of the Jacobins, or quasi-Jacobins, destroyed the other part, the true Jacobins, by an appeal to open civil war." as what Trotsky said. (sorry)
However, in the Philippine setting it turned out to be "adjusted" if not "different" (despite the fact that it is controlled by the same order). Earlier attempts for a post-EDSA thermidor was confronted by opposition, be it because in the name of democracy and human rights; but pre-EDSA economic policies remain at large, what more of the statutes which were then superseded with new names whose spirit be as same as in the past.
For the opposition, it seemed pleasing into the ears that word called revolution if not reform- and some if not most of them critically supported his measures especially if that meant 'good' for the country: For Duterte's promises years ago gained the hearts and minds of every people- particularly those of the commoners who wished to uplift from their sordid existence.
But despite all those statements reality shows that not all promises are worth realising. Some are rather meant to shut people up from complaining, if not leaving those at the backburner to prioritise its initial campaigns. Programs like "build build build", the newly-passed "tax reform law" tried much to appease the folk, but this didn't diminish the fact that the present administration is prioritising its bloodied campaigns if not making fuss towards an increasingly critical populace.
Quite usual isn't it to see Duterte and his clique following the same direction as his predecessors, but of course it has to be adjusted according to his whims such as his "Biyaya ng Pagbabago" which is in fact a reformulated welfare program of past administrations, or the "build build build" which in fact a continuity of the past administration's infrastructure building programs.
And of course, they will negate its predecessors the more it assumes as theirs those programs-carrying new names but same intentions such as maintaining the status quo while creating an atmosphere called 'development'.
But one familiar feature what makes the administration as trying to do a "Thermidor" is to negate the opposition of its significance if not its relevance. For as the latter criticises its bloodied programs, the administration sees them as a stumbling block to achieve its goals. Its propaganda machine would of course churn its false reportage if not its personalist slant in maligning groups or individuals criticising their idol and his actions.
What more that it has also been supported by those who actually disagreed with them. Personages like Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Marcoses, and other conservatives- tuned-'self-proclaimed reformists' rallied themselves towards Duterte as the latter babbles its angst towards the opposition if not threatening them with legal and extralegal acts; and actions like the recent burial of the late dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the approval of extending martial rule by the courts, and the recent quo warranto towards Chief Justice Sereno shows how the present Duterte administration as trying to retreat from its radical goals in favour of returning to normalcy supplanted by piecemeal reforms enough to sustain stability.
After all, Duterte's supposed revolutionary goals is replaced by a conservative objectives. Apologists may insist "not" the way they cry for "revolutionary government", but reality shows that their supposed 'revolutionaries' have been replaced by opportunists especially those who joined with him despite its corrupted character like what stated above.
After all, Duterte's supposed revolutionary goals is replaced by a conservative objectives. Apologists may insist "not" the way they cry for "revolutionary government", but reality shows that their supposed 'revolutionaries' have been replaced by opportunists especially those who joined with him despite its corrupted character like what stated above.
Perhaps the bottomline at the height of those scenarios is that the administration creates an atmosphere enough to rally towards theirs in an eve of discontent. Aside from his "Diehard Duterte Supporters", rabid Marcos loyalists afforded to support Duterte after the latter gave signal to bury their idol at the heroes cemetery, although some of them end disagreeing with that same Duterte for not pushing through the recount of ballots in its quest to unseat Leni Robredo in favour of their bet; The administration's propaganda machine led by Uson, et al. continues to churn their distorted messages and half-truths pointing against the opposition if not having a smattering of legalese trying to justify their bloodied actions if not continuing martial rule in Mindanao; and justices who accused chief justice Sereno, what more of issuing quo warranto, refused to inhibit from judging, what more that they themselves are the accusers whose intent is to oust someone who isn't belong to their circle. Everyone is expected how president Duterte as not satisfied that the Supreme Court has consistently voted in his favor and demands the Chief Justice to be fully compliant. He was even incensed that Sereno had openly spoken against maneuvers to gain absolute power.
And this time, by having forced Sereno’s ouster by these same justices, it hath obviously done a thermidor on behalf of Duterte, the way they hath cleared Arroyo from accusations, given a clear signal to bury the late dictator, declared martial law in Mindanao as just, and others that makes the Duterte administration having a legal basis to tolerate their brand of bloodied nonsense.
However, that same Duterte has further isolated himself and has generated a potentially fatal political crisis. His 'revolution' has deprived of its character, and despite all threats issued this doesn't stop the people from asserting what is just. For as Duterte's fanatics redescribing all these "Dutertic moves" as necessary for change, it had to slay judicial independence or subvert laws using their justices or its lawmakers in order to uphold their decisions; it had to threaten people's rights by shutting down Dissent even in its traditional forms in order to maintain their interests using laws and its attack dogs; it made democracy in peril as the order tries to monopolise its power at all levels; These recent events which the administration did provoke disgust if not ridicule as the law been distorted to upheld their interests.
And fanatics, again, justifying that as necessarily to prevent its enemies to return to power if not to quell subversion. Is this the change been babbled about throughout the years in social media sites and in mainstream media? Actually, it has far reaching effects affecting not just the bureaucracy but the affairs of the state. But regardless of its significance for sure these fanatics would rather evade that kind of question as they emphasise instead the 'good side' such as that goddamn "build build build" to those of "take home pay" for the lowest paid.
And this time, by having forced Sereno’s ouster by these same justices, it hath obviously done a thermidor on behalf of Duterte, the way they hath cleared Arroyo from accusations, given a clear signal to bury the late dictator, declared martial law in Mindanao as just, and others that makes the Duterte administration having a legal basis to tolerate their brand of bloodied nonsense.
However, that same Duterte has further isolated himself and has generated a potentially fatal political crisis. His 'revolution' has deprived of its character, and despite all threats issued this doesn't stop the people from asserting what is just. For as Duterte's fanatics redescribing all these "Dutertic moves" as necessary for change, it had to slay judicial independence or subvert laws using their justices or its lawmakers in order to uphold their decisions; it had to threaten people's rights by shutting down Dissent even in its traditional forms in order to maintain their interests using laws and its attack dogs; it made democracy in peril as the order tries to monopolise its power at all levels; These recent events which the administration did provoke disgust if not ridicule as the law been distorted to upheld their interests.
And fanatics, again, justifying that as necessarily to prevent its enemies to return to power if not to quell subversion. Is this the change been babbled about throughout the years in social media sites and in mainstream media? Actually, it has far reaching effects affecting not just the bureaucracy but the affairs of the state. But regardless of its significance for sure these fanatics would rather evade that kind of question as they emphasise instead the 'good side' such as that goddamn "build build build" to those of "take home pay" for the lowest paid.
Anyway, this person is ought to say that the more the system is stubbornly trying to subvert power in favour of theirs, then no matter how fanatics and self-proclaimed sobreitists insist the goodness or lawfulness of that goddamn regime, the growing mass of the concerned will continue to assert what is just.
By all means necessary- even at the expense of their lives.
.