I’m really beginning to think there is no more hope for this country of ours. How can we expect to realize a better Philippines when we can not even mount a decent and genuine indignation rally. Heck, we can’t even decide exactly what we are being indignant about. Gloria Forever? Charter Change? Corruption? Transactional Politics? All of the above?

The Anti-Con-Ass rally should have been more than just a protest against Charter Change through Constituent Assembly. It should have been more than just an act of defiance against attempts to extend PGMA’s term. It should have been a rejection of graft, of corruption, of all the evils that plague our government.

Those who were there would likely say that it was. Really, now, is that what it was? I caught a live TV coverage of the rally and, boy, was I blown away by the images that I saw. Just as I feared, politicians and would-be politicians took over the stage again, displaying their disgusting smiles and fake posturings. If it were a real indignation rally against government evils then those opportunists shouldn’t have been allowed on stage to begin with.

And, what about those partylist solons who, at the very least, appear to be defenders of the common good? Were they not bothered at all that they were  sharing the stage with the poster boy for transactional politics? Ah, the hypocrisy.

Perhaps, the biggest hypocrisy and punchline in all of this is the fact that many of those so-called protesters did not even have the slightest idea what the hoopla was all about. A TV Patrol report showed a couple of “hakots” admitting on camera that they do not even know what Con-Ass meant.

I’m running out of words to express my indignation over this disappointing excuse of a rally. I’ll just borrow the famous words of Anti-Con Ass supporter Senator Mar Roxas, who, according to fellow blogger PinoyBuzz, is actually a closet charter change supporter.

P U T A N G I N A !

(I apologize for the profanity. I just can’t stand hypocrisy)

I doubt if the rally will be poorly attended considering that a number of politicians are reportedly planning to show up and lend their voices to the cause. Can you spell hakot?

PinoyBuzz came up with a post today to clarify some of the peripheral issues surrounding this push for charter change through a constituent assembly. Mainly, he pointed out that tomorrow’s rally will probably just turn out to be another political gimmick. He wrote:

I may be exasperating you right now, so let me just simply point out that what will happen tomorrow is anti-Gloria Forever rally as well as a ‘vote-for-me-because-I-am-against-Gloria’ rally.

I completely agree with him on this one. I am almost certain other politicians seeking elected positions will take over the proceedings tomorrow and use it to promote their own candidacies. That will most likely be the case unless the organizers impose a ban preventing prospective candidates from getting up on stage to address the crowd.

Anyway, if you’re planning to attend tomorrow’s rally it would be best to have a clear understanding of why you’re there. Are you there because you’re against charter change through Con-Ass or are you there because you’re against the “Gloria forever” scenario? Whatever your stand is just be clear about it.

It would also help to remember that the enemy of your enemy should not necessarily be your friend. Go ahead and support the movement against whatever it is your against but be wary of politicians getting in on the action. In my case, I would be wary of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada. While I would welcome his support for the movement against any attempt to extend PGMA’s term, I will never go as far as giving him my support should he decide to run. He is an enemy of my enemy but he is not necessarily my friend.

By the way, did the rally organizers advise the public to show up wearing black? I’m asking because the Department of Health came out with an advisory today against wearing clothes in black or any other dark color.

Now, before I get accused of rumor-mongering or of being a conspiracy nut, I want to clarify that the DOH advisory has nothing to do with protest fashion. It merely wants the public to be safe against dengue because as Health Secretary Francisco Duque explained, mosquitos are attracted to dark colors and not wearing them minimizes the chances of you getting stung. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to consider the DOH advisory.

You might also want to consider my own advice — one that I believe is of even greater importance, that is, if you value your life. I hope you’ll take it to heart. My advise is this: Don’t be stupid so as not to attract blood-sucking politicians.