Politics of grief
Politics of grief
Updated 01:11am (Mla time) Dec 17, 2004
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A14 of the December 17, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
IT'S a paradox that in his death, Fernando Poe Jr. has achieved what he sought out to attain in his failed presidential bid: to unite a severely fragmented nation. And it is the paradox of unity that in a people's coming together, politics should debase the national cleansing brought about by a catharsis of grief and sorrow, further causing pockmarks and rifts in the tenuous peace we have built for ourselves in loving deference to a dear departed icon.
It is saddening that Poe had barely given up his ghost when some of his more rabid supporters and certain sectors of the political opposition that he headed have chosen to profane his memory by bad behavior and tasteless partisan gestures.
At the Santo Domingo Church Tuesday night, some of Poe's fans went berserk upon spotting the funeral wreath sent by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. They grabbed the wreath, tore it apart, crushed the flowers, trampled the foliage and cursed the name of the President, accusing her of robbing Poe of his victory last May 10. The show of vehemence and violence was in stark contrast to the solemnity of the surroundings, the national shrine to boot of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Obviously these people did not know how to respect hallowed ground.
One could ascribe such behavior to raw rage typical of mass hysteria, thus forgivable of people feeling extremes of grief and anger. But what is not forgivable is the politicking of opposition figures who have chosen to ride on the crest of widespread grief over the death in order to boost the fortunes of the opposition and by extension, their political standing.
Foremost among these are Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, Sen. Edgardo Angara and former President Joseph Estrada. Marcos, with her heavily engineered angular chin, has injected a Botox shot of numbing propaganda into the mournful atmosphere by sounding off the possibility that Poe's widow, the well-liked Susan Roces, would take on the mantle left by her husband and head the opposition.
Angara, who perhaps couldn't resist reconnecting with his Marcosian past, said amen to Imee Marcos' Botox-induced ruminations. It is quite a relief that sectors of the opposition have admonished Angara against fueling political talk at a time when the opposition and the nation are in grief.
But trust Estrada to try to score political points against the Arroyo administration at the cost of the death of Poe, whom he calls his best friend. Estrada made the incredible claim that Poe died of disappointment and despair over his loss to Ms Arroyo in allegedly fraudulent elections. He explained that it was typical of Poe to keep things to himself and not express his hurt to friends.
The claim by the deposed president is incredible for two reasons. One, if indeed Poe kept matters to himself, then it's inconceivable how Estrada could have known that his friend was utterly depressed about his electoral loss. And second, all accounts of those close to Poe during his last days showed that he had moved on after his defeat last May 10.
Although he had contested the election result, accusing the administration of fraud, which in itself was a gentlemanly gesture that showed he was willing to allow democracy and the law to do their function, Poe, according to those around him, had been busy planning new film and television projects. He had in fact supervised the packing of relief goods for the victims of the last two typhoons. Against the claim of Estrada, Poe seemed to be a remarkably well-adjusted person, not wont to wallow in self-pity.
Perhaps all of these divisive sectors should emulate the grace of Susan Roces, who, when asked if the President was welcome to visit Poe on her husband's wake, replied, "Everyone is welcome." In fact, when she received a rosary and letter of condolence from Ms Arroyo, she thanked the President for her gesture.
Even former Sen. Tito Sotto, Poe's campaign manager, was composed and gracious to expressions and gestures of condolence, even if they came from political enemies. These people do credit to the memory of Poe, a proper gentleman who was an unfailingly gracious person and a singular unitary figure -- which cannot be said of certain cantankerous people who highhandedly call themselves his pals and allies.
Updated 01:11am (Mla time) Dec 17, 2004
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A14 of the December 17, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
IT'S a paradox that in his death, Fernando Poe Jr. has achieved what he sought out to attain in his failed presidential bid: to unite a severely fragmented nation. And it is the paradox of unity that in a people's coming together, politics should debase the national cleansing brought about by a catharsis of grief and sorrow, further causing pockmarks and rifts in the tenuous peace we have built for ourselves in loving deference to a dear departed icon.
It is saddening that Poe had barely given up his ghost when some of his more rabid supporters and certain sectors of the political opposition that he headed have chosen to profane his memory by bad behavior and tasteless partisan gestures.
At the Santo Domingo Church Tuesday night, some of Poe's fans went berserk upon spotting the funeral wreath sent by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. They grabbed the wreath, tore it apart, crushed the flowers, trampled the foliage and cursed the name of the President, accusing her of robbing Poe of his victory last May 10. The show of vehemence and violence was in stark contrast to the solemnity of the surroundings, the national shrine to boot of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Obviously these people did not know how to respect hallowed ground.
One could ascribe such behavior to raw rage typical of mass hysteria, thus forgivable of people feeling extremes of grief and anger. But what is not forgivable is the politicking of opposition figures who have chosen to ride on the crest of widespread grief over the death in order to boost the fortunes of the opposition and by extension, their political standing.
Foremost among these are Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, Sen. Edgardo Angara and former President Joseph Estrada. Marcos, with her heavily engineered angular chin, has injected a Botox shot of numbing propaganda into the mournful atmosphere by sounding off the possibility that Poe's widow, the well-liked Susan Roces, would take on the mantle left by her husband and head the opposition.
Angara, who perhaps couldn't resist reconnecting with his Marcosian past, said amen to Imee Marcos' Botox-induced ruminations. It is quite a relief that sectors of the opposition have admonished Angara against fueling political talk at a time when the opposition and the nation are in grief.
But trust Estrada to try to score political points against the Arroyo administration at the cost of the death of Poe, whom he calls his best friend. Estrada made the incredible claim that Poe died of disappointment and despair over his loss to Ms Arroyo in allegedly fraudulent elections. He explained that it was typical of Poe to keep things to himself and not express his hurt to friends.
The claim by the deposed president is incredible for two reasons. One, if indeed Poe kept matters to himself, then it's inconceivable how Estrada could have known that his friend was utterly depressed about his electoral loss. And second, all accounts of those close to Poe during his last days showed that he had moved on after his defeat last May 10.
Although he had contested the election result, accusing the administration of fraud, which in itself was a gentlemanly gesture that showed he was willing to allow democracy and the law to do their function, Poe, according to those around him, had been busy planning new film and television projects. He had in fact supervised the packing of relief goods for the victims of the last two typhoons. Against the claim of Estrada, Poe seemed to be a remarkably well-adjusted person, not wont to wallow in self-pity.
Perhaps all of these divisive sectors should emulate the grace of Susan Roces, who, when asked if the President was welcome to visit Poe on her husband's wake, replied, "Everyone is welcome." In fact, when she received a rosary and letter of condolence from Ms Arroyo, she thanked the President for her gesture.
Even former Sen. Tito Sotto, Poe's campaign manager, was composed and gracious to expressions and gestures of condolence, even if they came from political enemies. These people do credit to the memory of Poe, a proper gentleman who was an unfailingly gracious person and a singular unitary figure -- which cannot be said of certain cantankerous people who highhandedly call themselves his pals and allies.
posted by Dante at 11:20 AM
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