Janine Teisha Quean O.

Caber PI 10 E1 August 24, 2019

Uncanny Similarities

A. Overview

The sequence of events in the 70’s for the Philippine politics and government has

undergone various changes in both positive and negative ways. Marcos had declared

martial law, dictatorship, the economic boom that resulted to the country being in debt.

Ninoy as diverse of a politician that he is, had the heart for the masses. As politicians and

cronies moved their chess pieces, the Filipino people were left crying for a change. This

is how this political game started, and it has not ended yet, even after almost 40 years.

Its existence and value are still lurking in the Philippine political air.

Samar politics have always been linked to bloodshed and to political dynasties.

There are only two colors on the island, Pula o Dilaw. Goons, extrajudicial killings,

monetary gain, power and control are commonly heard words in Samar that are

connected to Politics. There was always a tension between the Nacionalista Partylist and

the Liberal Party, since the start of the Commonwealth administration. The Nacionalista

is led by Cong. Milagrosa Tan, with Rodolfo Tuazon as previous Congressman of the 1 st

District of Samar, while the Dilawan or the Liberal Party was under Reynaldo “Ining” Uy,

a doctor and a Calbayognon politician.

B. The Root

Before and after Ninoy was put into a 3-year imprisonment, he had run against

Marcos, was put into exile in the USA, but had taken every public opportunity to voice out

his principles and claims against the administration, for the sole purpose of serving the

nation’s people. He had tons of experience that came from being presidential adviser for
3 Philippine Presidents, and had the will and time in attempt to right the wrong. He was a

big name going against big names also, amidst economic turmoil and political instability

at that time. Marcos having a serious ailment, was undergoing a hiatus, and issues with

the militarization was at its peak. Aquino coming back would mean a number of

unforeseeable possibilities, and that’s why he put to death.

A recall for the Samar’s Governor and Vice-Governor position was requested to

Comelec en banc by the one Aurelio Bardaje against the current officials, Sheree-Ann

Tan de los Santos and Stephen Tan, respectively, in December 2010. According to

Namfrel, reports on lacking leadership, corruption and graft were the reasons for the

recall. Over 70,000 signatories were collected for the petition. On January 12, 2011,

Comelec en banc officially declared the recall petition. Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy

with tandem Eunice Babalcon, were to run against them, for they believed they

represented the people well. Samarnons had their votes on the Dilaw team, up until the

death of Ining.

C. Uncanniness

Ninoy was shot. He was dead moments after he landed from Taiwan. Witnesses saw

that his guards had shot him from the back. In the Philippines, he was considered a big

threat to a lot of people who he’s against with – Marcos, cronies; but he also served as

hope, yet his life was taken, awakening the silent hearts of the people to become yawps

of protests, turning into a revolution, leading to a new beginning. A beginning that was

still rough for the new administration to start with but enough to let the country move

forward to a different light.

 Ining was also shot, seconds after having a smoke break when he was attending a

speaking engagement in Hinabangan, Samar, the baluwarte, of the Tan’s. He had the

people’s trust for he was known to being a Father to Calbayog, who looked after the city

and the whole 1st District of Samar. He showed resistance and willingness to claim Samar

to take it to a new path. His life was taken, because he also was a huge threat to the

opponents.

Both wanted a new direction for theirs people, the Filipinos. They wanted to regain the

political freedom that was taken from the citizens due to past administration’s

undermining. Up until this day, many investigations have been conducted in both Ninoy

and Ining’s cases, yet the truth about their assassinations remains hidden under the big

pile of the Unknowns in Philippine Politics. One day, the truth might arise but will justice

still be served when it arrives?

D. Reflection

Being able to watch a detailed documentary Ninoy’s assassination of what seemed

like just a few pages in elementary history books, I knew why he did what he’d done,

where he was coming from, and why he was standing up for his beliefs and principles,

not for personal gain but for the nation. I also related his story to Mayor Ining’s story since

I saw that history repeated itself, and this time I had to witness it. I am from Calbayog, I

saw people mourn his death, as I saw mourners on Ninoy’s death. I’ve seen protests and

movements (Justice for Ining Uy Movement), and in the video was the People Power

Revolution. Finally, I’ve felt the pulling force of my co-calbayognons, the pulse of the

people, the emotions and everything else, because I knew that the hope of many, has

been taken away. That is why, I can now see myself as part of the People Power of 1986.