We’ve waited too long!

Butch Bagabuyo

 “If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them, not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old.” – James A. Garfield

“THEY conquer who believe they can… Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain.” Those were the instructions of Emerson to us all. Time and time again, these statements were proven beyond any doubt.

So, of what good is PNoy’s touted economic miracle when everybody knows that the poor get poorer by the day? It is high time, we, the poor, stood up united with each other to prove to the world that with God nothing is impossible. In fact, “With God who strengtheneth us nothing can defeat us… “And, according to your faith, be it done unto you” (Matthew 9:29)

All political pundits especially Imperial Manila, the traposeven from our very own Mindanao and the filthy rich are unanimous in their prediction that there is no way a Mindanaoan would be able to sweep out of Malacanang the all-too-powerful PNoy and his tentacles. But history tells us that with God nothing is impossible. In fact, we are all witnesses-participants in 1986. The world gave us a standing ovation for our courage in creating the game-changer: People Power. But, because we, Mindanaoans, are too far from the seat of power, oligarchy cum hypocrisy, ruled by Imperial Manila, the trapos and the filthy rich imposed more of the same––actually, worst. And because the old guards of Imperialism are so adept at intrigues and in their dirty tricks, they’ve slowly but surely crept in.

Today, the greedy are back to their bullying ways and unmitigated abuses. And, so Imperial Manila, the trapos and the filthy rich succeeded in further institutionalizing not just the culture of impunity but a defeatist attitude among the many who are poor Mindanaoans and elsewhere.

Too many of us, the poor, give up even before the start. And no one seems to care.

But God, in His infinite wisdom, kept us close to His heart. And so, despite the boastful claim by our government of unprecedented economic growth in all of Asia, more and more Pinoys suffer excruciating pain in their stomachs for lack of food to eat, medicine to cure the sick and water to drink, despite  continuous heavy rains and flood waters; hence, the adage “water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.”

Enough of hypocrisy and arrogance by the greedy.

Sobrakana, Imperial Manila. Sa Mindanaona ta.Anddon’t ever forget, “No gain without pain” and “No guts, no glory”

Tsada, di ba?

• •

“No amount of political freedom will satisfy the hungry masses.” – Vlademir Lenin speech, 1917

Our government keeps on paying lip service to the teeming poor in our paradise-like islands of Mindanao and all over the country. Imperial Manila, the trapos and the filthy rich whose memories are limited by their bank accounts are of the stupid view that as long as they control giant media in Imperial Manila, they can continue with their insatiable greed even past the end of PNoy’s administration of selective justice and arrogance spawned by the culture of impunity.

Mr. President and Imperial Manila, you know too well that of the 15 elected Presidents in our country, they all came from Luzon and the Visayas, and none from Mindanao. You all know as well that we have patiently waited for our time to come but to no avail. But now, bear in mind,  that we can’t wait forever!

Democratize the elections! Let there be an election where are all the expenses are subsidized by the Comelec, and all the candidates are spared from spending even a centavo. The Constitution allows it. We, the sovereign, can afford it. For decades now, trillions of pesos of our hard earned taxes have been pocketed by corrupt public officials. This is because they have to buy votes during elections.

So what shall it be Imperial Manila, the trapos and the filthy rich, “Concon” simultaneously with the elections on May 9, 2016 or People Power only in Mindanao so that we can install Davao Mayor Rodrigo “Super Digong” Duterte, a lawyer of uncommon valor and a soft spot for the poor, as our first ever President for the Independent Federal Republic of Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan-Tawi-tawi.

Tsada, di ba?

• •

“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed… Nothing shall be impossible unto to you.” –Matthew 17:20

“In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do to me.” –Psalms LVI. 11

Thank you Lord for everything. And Lord God, kindly implant especially in our leaders, honesty, humility, transparency and hard work in their solemn task as our servants-leaders because those who have less in life are the sovereign and the very source of their borrowed power and wealth. Finally, Lord, enlighten us all to see the light that greed is a flawed way of life. For truly, there is more profit in giving than in taking. For it is in giving that we receive. Truly, love begets love. Amen!

 (Call or text 09188030197, email to bagabuyos@yahoo.com, and check out iluvmindanao.org.com)