Noli De Castro: Gloria's Own Khrushchev
Last time, a very contrary event happened in Laguna, as the news broadcasted Philippines' Vice President Noli De Castro and his remarks towards the protesting people in an event on that said province.
Calling them as "Lazybones" and threatening them to evict from their homes he've built, De Castro seemed that he's showing his real color to the urban poor, who are just protesting their grievances and even calling for a real housing plan; only to reply with subjective remarks such as his "lazybones", "insecure people", and even saying that "Maybe they are lazy. Tell them they are lazy. They should pay their loans. I will demand their payment or else I will drive them away, no matter who they are."
His words somehow would easily worth remembering in the mindsets of the urban poor, since De Castro simply attacked the urban poor perhaps in general, the worst is that the administration used them as mere propaganda tools since last or even for the coming elections. Isn't it too contrary to say those things against the urban poor from a man whose populist style of attitude made him "win" last 2004 elections? Not noticing what these people protesting and replying them with an offending remark are just calling for something meaningful like free housing or even low loans that these people can pay?
Using his words, perhaps the urban poor tried hard just to pay early than to be evicted. How come they need to pay early or on time in the middle of ups and downs in oil prices, of increase in commodities while having low salaries as stevedores, truck and jeepney drivers, as laundrywomen, and even retail store owners? Few may pay early, but the rest? They'll need to think about where will their budget lead to: The dining table, debt payments, or at the hands of the loan collector-especially on the day of their eviction?
Perhaps,
Better for De Castro to say those words to those who are drunkards in the streets, who are sitting idle, or rather say the lumpenproletariat than the ones who are self-employed and working even overnight just to have a complete budget that includes paying loans and other fees. Anyway, why do they need to pay? They have also taxes to pay too despite being self employed. And where are their taxes going? To the short term programs, defense budget of the government who is oppressive towards the people instead of free housing and other basic needs?
Well...
In addition to that, De Castro's remarks, of "driving them away, no matter who they are!" reminds slightly of former Soviet revisionist Nikita Khrushchev and his quotation that seemed loosely translated by the western media as "We will bury you!" And these two quotations from two different leaders are seemingly threatening, especially towards the people whom are they saying, the worst is that it will be remembered in every annals of history written and read. But Nika remarked again years after about his said statement: "I once said, 'We will bury you,' and I got into trouble with it. Of course we will not bury you with a shovel. Your own working class will bury you". Paraphrasing what Marx said also a statement that lead Nika to say to about it: "What the bourgeoisie therefore produces, above all, are its own grave-diggers. Its fall and the victory of the proletariat are equally inevitable". De Castro, and the rest of the oppressors within the society is an example what Marx said in his work.
Will De Castro again do so what Nika did towards the people? Or Will the people prepare more to evict him from his post or even from the political arena? Perhaps one of the people may say the same what De Castro said, this time would be towards him:
"Maybe he is lazy. Tell them he is lazy analyzing the people's situations and hearing their grievances that led them to rally and say 'lazybones' and threatening us with 'eviction', for we will demand his retraction of his statement, or resign from his post; or else we will drive him away, no matter who he is-and we will bury him as what he deserve!"
