Walkout to Defeat?

August 30, 2005

Today’s walkout by the opposition at the House Justice Committee hearing is a strange one and may betray the weakness of their position.  A walkout is essentially a surrender — a decision to discontinue playing the game perhaps hinting thatanother game is worth playing.

Walkouts have been a powerful symbol and in their own way, instrumental in each EDSA.  In EDSA 1, there were many walkouts. The Enrile-Ramos walkout was one of the last.  But we should not forget the COMELEC computer operators who marched out of PICC without any idea if they would live to see the morning.  Or the dramatic walkout by the air force symbolized by the Sikorsky helicopters landing in Camp Crame’s marching field. 

EDSA Dos started with Chavit Singson’s walkout; pushed forward by the impeachment panel’s walkout and capped by the military’s walkout symbolized by then Gen. Angelo Reyes’ appearance at the EDSA Shrine.

Somehow, today’s walkout isn’t up to par with those momentous walkouts. (more…)