Salvador “Doy” Laurel, who died of cancer a few days ago, wasn’t what you would term a great Filipino as in the likes of a Claro M. Recto or Manuel Quezon. His father, former President Jose Laurel, might be considered one.

Doy Laurel had his political ambitions and he was more of a pragmatist than anything else. But he knew the pulse of the people. As a lawyer he pioneered free legal assistance for the poor. As a freedom fighter he united the opposition against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

What I personally admire most about Laurel is the statesmanship he displayed when he agreed to slide down to Vice-Presidential candidate in favor of Corazon Aquino during the snap elections called by Marcos in 1986. He had more than a fighting chance to win the presidency, but he laid down this ambition in order to forge a truly united front against the dictator, who eventually won through massive cheating.

After the first people power uprising that sent Marcos packing, Laurel was installed as Vice-President to President Corazon Aquino. It was a shining moment for the Filipino. But the inexperienced Aquino, beset by her own power-hungry relatives, never was able to grab that opportunity to bring the Philippines back on the road to recovery. Her refusal to listen to her more experienced vice-president was, I feel, another major factor.

And that’s the tragedy of the Filipino. We are able to do mighty feats, but unable to sustain them. Thus, Doy Laurel’s sacrifice, coming in the shadow of Ninoy Aquino’s martyrdom, would be merely relegated to the history books if ever.
Meanwhile we hail Cory Aquino as the Philippines’ moral conscience and continue to exult personalities as empty-headed as she is in hope that mere “goodness” would propel the country into greatness unknown. Then, when those we elect turn into a Marcos or Estrada, we go into people power mode to throw them out.

We don’t call this cycle vicious. It’s called stupid.