Ferdinand Marcos came to power in 1965 and refused to leave despite failed policies that brought about economic inequities and political instability. A combination of population growth, absolute poverty and land shortage created massive discontent and contributed to the formation of a communist insurgency. Concerned about economic and social injustice, the Catholic Church got involved.
Then on August 21, 1983 former senator Benigno Aquino and strong opponent of Marcos was assassinated at Manila International Airport when he returned home from exile. This assassination served to mobilize massively against Marcos. The Church played a pivotal role through pastoral letters and a Manila-based Radio Veritas station owned by Catholic Bishops Conference.
In panic, Marcos abruptly announced a snap election to throw opposition candidates into disarray and win. The Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Jaime Sin and his colleagues issued strongly worded pastoral letters that left no doubt that they were on the side of the people. The snap presidential election of February 7, 1986 was massively rigged by Marcos supporters. On February 15, the Philippine parliament announced that Marcos had won. The announcement was followed by massive campaign of civil disobedience to force Marcos out of power.
Seeing the writing on the wall the defense minister Enrile and deputy chief of staff Ramos abandoned Marcos and joined the people. Fearing that Marcos loyal troops would finish them, they appealed to Cardinal Sin to save them and the nation. He concurred and then:
“The cardinal went into prayer and upon emerging received urgent pleas from his bishops to go on Radio Veritas. This he did, broadcasting an appeal to the Philipino people – ‘to all the children of God’, not just Catholics – to protect Minister Enrile and General Ramos, ‘our idealist friends’. Over the next few hours, citizens from metropolitan Manila began to gather at the camps. Later that evening and throughout the revolution, Sin and his auxiliary bishop, Teodoro C. Bacani, encouraged people to go to camps Aguinaldo and Crame on the EDSA. Among the first to respond were nuns and parish priest”(Douglas Johnson and Cynthia Sampson 1994). In all some 2 million Philipinos responded and a large percentage of them responded to Cardinal Sin message.
Seeing that Marcos’ rule was over, the USA government urged him to concede. He did and fled into exile and the country and her people were saved, thanks to Cardinal Sin.
In Uganda we need a cardinal Sin to mobilize the people who are ready to see NRM government exit. I appeal to Ugandans at home and abroad not to lose hope. NRM days are numbered. We need a spark to get people mobilized. Once the writing is on the wall that NRM days are numbered, development partners will support us.
Meanwhile let all opposition groups come together under formidable and impeccable leadership and prepare for takeover in a transitional government when NRM departs. UDU has already distributed its National Recovery Plan and contrasted its policies with NRM failed ones. Please join with us in UDU because together we are stronger than acting separately.