EVEN AFTER Heidi Mendoza’s exposé on the corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the immediate future is still uncertain. But one thing is certain; Mendoza not alone in her quest for truth.
To show support for the former state auditor, members of the Ateneo community and other civil society groups held a noise barrage to encourage Filipinos to join her truth mission. Participants waved banners, lit torches, gave out flyers to passers-by, and asked motorists to honk their horns.
One notable attendee was Heidi Mendoza’s husband, Loyola Schools History Professor Meynardo “Roy” Mendoza, who expressed his gratitude to everyone who participated in the event.
“This is the crusade of the people of good governance. Catalyst langsi Heidi (Heidi is just the catalyst),” he said.
The noise barrage was held in front of Gate 2.5 last February 4.
Time to wake up
According to Bro. ErnaldAndal, SJ of SimbahangLingkodng Bayan, it is time for the Filipinos to wake up and “speak what is right.” “[This noise barrage] is not just for Heidi, this is for us Filipinos, too. Tamang tama yungbusina at ingay, pampagisingtalaga (All the noise and honking of horns are needed to wake us all up),” he said.
Senior Kevin Resurreccion agreed and said that the country is in a significant turning point as far as good governance is concerned.
“As students, we are inheriting the nation very soon. If we want to ensure that the country that we will inherit will be even a sliver brighter than it is now, then we have to take action now,” Resurreccion said.
Sophomore Timothy Alconga agreed that students should not just utilize their skills and voices inside the classroom but transcend them to higher purposes. “We’re aiming for honesty here… Let’s finally use what we’ve learned in school and do something good for the country,” he said.
Things are different
Some students expressed apprehension that Mendoza’s revelations would eventually be forgotten.
Resurreccion said that though Mendoza has exposed inconsistencies that are happening in an influential group in Philippine politics, her crusade is in danger of being forgotten, knowing the trends of the judiciary, the media, and the citizens.
Andal said however, that Filipinos should not let the support for Mendoza deteriorate because there are two strong reasons why the quest for truth could be successful. One of them is the very personhood of the former state auditor, and the other is President Noynoy Aquino’s administration and its fight against corruption.
“Heidi is [cleaner] and hard to pin down [compared to other whistle blowers], and we [Filipinos] have a reason to be optimistic because under the new administration of P-Noy, the government will pay attention to this issue. As [Aquino] said, we are his bosses,” Andal said.
The quest for truth
In spite of the difficulties the Mendoza family is undergoing, Roy Mendoza is jovial due to the overwhelming support people have given them. He also said that he is proud of his wife.
“She [Heidi Mendoza] represents someone who is courageous. I am happy that her actions resonated to the public,” he said.
For Andal, the quest for truth continues, and every Filipino must help and protect the “prophet” and what she represents these days for the country.
“This country needs good people. In times of darkness such as now, what we can do is be truthful. [Heidi Mendoza] doesn’t want all the attention to herself. This support [joining the noise barrage] is sharing the burden,” he said.
