Misguided praise

Some young people are praising former president Ferdinand Marcos for what he did for the country. They go to the extent of calling him the best president this country ever had, without knowing the full facts about Marcos.

Honestly, I am shocked. This is a cause for concern. They should ask people who went through the harrowing experience of martial law and the Marcos regime. Many of us are living witnesses of that period.

Marcos was a dictator who enriched himself while he was in power. He was never a good president. He violated basic provisions of the Constitution. The Philippines used to be number one economically in Asia but Marcos left it the poorest country, next to Bangladesh.

Any sweeping statements about Marcos as the best president merely shows one’s ignorance of history. Youths of today should not be taken in by Marcos’ propagandists. Before making generalizations, it is best to research thoroughly on the subject.

Youths today owe it to the people to speak the truth and refrain from peddling half-truths about Marcos. They should read newspaper accounts and well-researched books about the Marcos regime.

Then they will know who Marcos was and what he did to the country.

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Should President Aquino seek a second term as suggested by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas? Roxas said the president is doing so well in many aspects of governance that he must be given another opportunity to serve the country.

But if we allow Aquino a second term, what would stop his sycophants from suggesting that he seek a third term because he governs the country well? Considering the track record of his allies, this is possible.

But the president should be reminded that his mother, the late president Cory Aquino, when given the opportunity to seek a second term because the Constitution did not apply to her then, she declined the offer.

The proposal from his allies is normal, as they want to protect their own political interests. Getting the president a second term would mean they continue to be in power as well.

But the president must abandon the temptation to seek another term. He must concentrate on governance instead of campaigning for reelection.

Another term would open the possibility of Aquino becoming tyrannical and abusive. As the saying goes, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The president should discern this.

It’s about time President Aquino firmly tells his allies to stop entertaining the idea that he is interested in seeking another term.

Many Filipinos vowed, after the bitter end of the Marcos regime: “Never again”.

Aquino should remember the democracy that was restored after 1986 by presidents who preceded him.

As the son of the icon of democracy, President Cory, he should not try to destroy the legacy she left behind.