By Rosario Brenda Gonzalez
The day arrived when it became final that the case was filed
Information, that was how it was said
Trial here we go
But we can resort to a remedy
A petition for review with the judiciary’s high official
Eventually, proving to be unnecessary
For the Judge ruled that there is no probable cause
Case dismissed, but not end of story
When there should have been no case at all
In the first place
Yet there were our names in bold caps
Staring from that piece of paper
Enough to frighten one’s state of bliss
Sometimes, to immobilize
Often to make you think more intensely
The fangs of the state machinery showing
Surveillance and monitoring
Threats and harassment
Should not deter from the direction
Set forth in ordinary people’s
Conviction for genuine social change
Marked with a labyrinth so confusing
It is easy to get lost
But because the oppressive structures are so embedded in our lives
From the death-defying commute to high prices of commodities, to one’s low wages,
To lack of land and social services,
Also of genuine freedom
The labyrinth pales in comparison
One would rather face the darkness
Battle the confusion
Perhaps emerge wounded and wary
Or certain and courageous
Still aiming for the destination
Oh yes, it is there, always bright
Our future, that is
= = = = =
This human rights week, we start publishing the poetess’ poems as a victim of trumped up charges by the State using the weaponized Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020. The charges have since been junked by the Malolos RTC.
Rosario Brenda Gonzalez is a long-time development worker. A BA Journalism graduate of UP Diliman, Ms. Gonzalez has been a project evaluator and development management trainer for more than three decades. Prior to that, she was a human rights and church worker.
