DAGUPAN CITY–Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said EDSA I and EDSA 2 can be called a combined unfinished saga in the country.

Cruz said that, "They both proved something good-the power of truth plus the strength of righteousness. Yet both fell short of their core intent: the reform of Philippine politics vis-à-vis moral development of politicians".

He said that the saga is unfinished because EDSA I and EDSA 2 succeeded in removing the heads of unwanted governments. Yet it allowed their incarnate members to remain free to again regain power and again soil governance, he added.

He said EDSA I and EDSA 2 are both distinct phenomena in Philippine history. Even the global community took notice of these two singular events, he said. People power, prayer power, moral power or whatever the two EDSAs are called and known, they all have one fundamental common denominator—the Filipino moral psyche, he added.

But Cruz said that "the Filipinos as a basically decent and sensitive race cannot for long tolerate and follow political leaders stained with gross amoral principles, blatant dishonesty and strongly suspect motives. "

"The Filipinos are not a perfect people. But as a whole, they are neither without conscience with their pursuant ethical convictions and drives," he said.

The prelate added that good and able farmers know how to deal with bad weeds. They do not only cut their upper leaves but dig their roots out as well, he said. With their leaves dead but their roots well and alive, bad weeds are back to life in no time, he added.

And with another people power unfolding, Cruz said the country has been long since crying and begging for reform—reform of governance through the reform of those governing. The likes of EDSA I and EDSA 2 might simply continue and thereby prolong exactly the same unfinished saga in the country, he said.

Cruz said "more than just dusting this or that place, what is really needed is a general house cleaning".

"Only those who want and can do this through honest motivation and big sacrifice have a rightful claim to lead people for the moral reformation of the government through the moral reform of government officials in the Philippines," he added.