CHRIMI News

It’s (political) rally season again in the Philippines, as various groups call for the President to step down from office due to the alleged kickback and overpriced national broadband network (NBN) deal with Chinese corporation, ZTE. Some friends have asked what is my take on the issue? And I replied with this question.

Do we have democracy in action or mob rule?

Mob Rule, according to Wikepedia is:

Is government by mob or a mass of people, or the intimidation of constitutional authorities. In English, the word mobocracy is sometimes used as a synonym.

The modern theories of civil disobedience and satyagraha bear some resemblance to mob rule and its mechanics. Certainly it is quite frightening for large numbers of people, even peaceful ones, to be marching and shouting common demands, if one is charged with the uncomfortable task of refusing them… The 1986 EDSA Revolution in the Philippines, the Velvet Revolution in former Czechoslovakia, and the resistance to the attempted military coup in the Soviet Union in 1991 that led to the collapse of that state, are situations where it is possible that it was the “mob” which won the day due to defections by authority.

In contrast, democracy or rule of people is motivated by reason and not emotions. Civil liberties are governed by law, it respect the rights of others, specially the minority and observes due process and respects separation of religion and state.Given our present situation, how do we interpret the signs?

1. Are the calls for GMA to resign, warning her to prevent blood shed, democratic or tyranny of the mob?
2. The call for people to go out to the street and express their indignation, is it a call base on reason or an attempt to agitate people or stir emotions to make them angry?
3. Is due process of law respected?
4. Are the protagonist interested to follow the constitutional boundaries or are they interested to explore extra constitutional means?
5. Can we consider the attempt to pressure the military and police to withdraw support from the the President intimidation of constitutional authorities by the mob?
6. Do we have the separation of state and religion?