MIRIAM TO ERAP: FORM NEW KATIPUNAN VS. CROOKS (30 Nov 1999)

MIRIAM TO ERAP: FORM NEW KATIPUNAN VS. CROOKS
30 November 1999

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago paid homage to Andres Bonifacio as the father of the Philippine revolution, by calling on Pres. Estrada to form a new Katipunan movement against graft and corruption in government.

"The start of the new millennium, as well as the impending executive revamp, is a golden opportunity for Pres. Estrada to reform the culture of corruption with a new Katipunan movement," she said.

Santiago was guest of honor at the Bonifacio Day ceremonies at the Bonifacio monument in Kaloocan City led by Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo.

The lady senator urged the president to remove "a few bad eggs, such as a certain liaison officer who should be called an ear doctor, because he specializes in bending the president's ear."

"This so-called presidential adviser is so corrupt that I suspect he was a grave robber or a body snatcher before he insinuated himself at the Palace," she said. Santiago jokingly said she does not like going to Malacanang, because sometimes she is forced to meet "a member of the Bandit Brigade, who could be a shoplifter, purse snatcher, pickpocket, burglar, pirate, kleptomaniac, or any of a rich variety of tropical sharks."

Santiago said that the new Katipunan, like Bonifacio's Katipunan, should pursue three goals.

"The goals of the old Katipunan were to free the Philippines from Spain, obtain equal treatment for the rich and poor, and observe mutual self-help," she said.

Santiago said that in a similar vein, the new Katipunan under Pres. Estrada should pursue three goals: to free the government from graft and corruption, to take affirmative action for the poor, and to make the poor self-reliant.

But Santiago also warned about the need for prudence in amending the Constitution to accommodate foreign investors.

The lady senator said that the original Katipunan required applicants for membership to answer three questions:

1. In what condition did the Spaniards find the Filipino people when they came?
2. In what condition do they find themselves now? and
3. What hope do the Filipino people have for the future?

Santiago said that similarly, in resolving the controversy over proposed charter change, citizens should ask themselves in what condition did the foreign investors find the Filipino people when they came, what condition do Filipinos find themselves now, and what hope do Filipinos have for the future.

"What future lies in store for a Third World country in a regime of virtual free trade under the World Trade Organization, which is controlled by economic superpowers?" she asked.

In warning against "mindless globalization," Santiago quoted from an essay written by Bonifacio entitled "What the Filipinos Should Know."

Translating from Tagalog, Santiago quoted Bonifacio:

"Reason teaches us that we cannot expect anything but more sufferings, more treacheries, more insults, and more slavery;

"Reason teaches us not to fritter away time for the promised prosperity that will never come;

"Reason teaches us to rely on ourselves and not to depend on others for our living;

"Reason teaches us to be united that we may have the strength to combat the evils in our country."

Santiago also compared the assassination of Bonifacio with alleged attempts by corrupt politicians and incompetent media personalities to run for public office in the 2001 elections.

"In the same way that Bonifacio was killed by political greed and treachery, the Senate and possibly the entire Congress could be destroyed by the political greed of people who are unfit for public office," she said.

Santiago and Malonzo led the floral offering at the Bonifacio monument, and in raising the Philippine flag.

After her speech, delivered in both English and Tagalog, Santiago cut the ribbon at the inauguration of the new Department of Health building in Kaloocan City.