i promised not to talk about poltics...

The CBCP got it right this time. The bishops’ statement on our country’s looming political crisis upholds the constitution by respecting democracy’s due process and respecting the separation of the Church and the State. With it they did not only fulfill their duty as pastors of the people, but also gave a gentle reminder to everyone involved that they lay aside personal interests and put forward objectivity: to the politicians who, most often than not, are driven by partisan lines rather than principle, to the media which are prone to personal biases and sensationalism, to the people who are easily swayed by calls to put the constitution in their own hands.

I cannot argue enough that the CBCP echoes the sentiments of the silent majority, of the many hardworking employees of Makati alienated and inconvenienced by rallies held in the business district, of ambitious students in our universities learning all they can to become better citizens in the future, and of millions of other Filipinos in the provinces marginalized by Imperial Manila. All of these people want lasting change that will never and can never happen – as the EDSAs teach us – by simply unseating a president. True change happens when people uphold the law and strengthen national institutions. This means that law-breakers are tried in courts, not in the streets.

The challenge for everyone amidst this crisis is to act with common sense; that is, to assume an objective outlook on the issue, to look beyond political biases, and consider some lessons in history before taking things in our own hands. It is worthwhile asking ourselves “Is another EDSA going to change anything?”

Not much really. In the same way as cancer is not successfully treated with one dose of medicine and a weak body, rooting out corruption and promoting transparency require strengthening democratic institutions and call for a change in people's attitudes - especially among our leaders.

One egregious figue in yesterday's rally in Makati is that Erap was there. Wait, was he the president ousted seven years ago by EDSA 2? Talk about politics.