The worst and best times for democracy

The worst and best times for democracy

By BENJIE OLIVEROS
Bulatlat.com

Forty years ago, Ferdinand E. Marcos launched a successful rightist coup and declared himself as president for life, arrested all those opposed to his rule from the traditional opposition to those identified wi

th the Left and even ordinary students, workers, the urban poor, peasants, professionals, church people, among others who, in one way or another, were connected to progressive organizations or were simply photographed attending rallies in an attempt to silence them; totally disregarded the Bill of Rights; banned mass protest actions including rallies and strikes; declared as illegal all progressive organizations; padlocked media agencies; closed Congress; and declared martial rule. He also sequestered the properties and ownerships of his political enemies. It was the worst time for democracy and yet, it was the only way he could hold on to power in the context of a worsening economic, social, and political crisis.

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