I’ve resigned! Yes, resigned myself to the fact that Filipinos will always be bickering about something and that every Filipino wants to be president at the same time. The political opposition here in the Philippines has always lived up to it’s name. Yup, oppose everything: the president, the president’s desire for a good economy, the president’s desire for progress, etc. You name it, the opposition is sure to oppose it.
In additional to the political opposition are the leftists. This group will oppose even the opposition perhaps even their own colleagues when the time is right. Their singular motto: create constant instability.
We’ve all heard at least one version of the so-called “Garci Tapes”. Everyone is saying that President Arroyo said this and that. And that this tape is fake and this is not. Heck! At this point, my question is, is there any “real” tape at all? Anyone with the right equipment at their hands can create their own version. One can probably even make one that sounds as if Elvis Presley was talking to Garcilliano enticing him to make FPJ win instead. With today’s technology, anything is quite possible. If we can replace or alter faces on videos, surely we can create taped conversations that never existed.
But even if the conversation were true — maybe because GMA admitted to talking to a certain commissioner — it doesn’t really contain anything incriminating in my view. All we have is how people interpreted the alleged conversation. From the transcript of one version, all there was was PGMA asking Garcilliano if she’s leading and if she’ll maintain that lead. A pretty legitimate inquiry in my view. What? In this country? Of course you have to ask! You have make sure that no one is taking votes from you and giving it to someone else. I’m sure other politicians made similar calls. What really made it an issue is because PGMA made it. If Eddie Gil had been caught on tape talking to a COMELEC commisssioner, do you think the news would have made it so big?
Now, PGMA has given in to most of the opposition’s suggestions, except of course resign which I think is the right choice for this country. But this is what really ticks me off. When the opposition asked for a truth commssion and PGMA decided to form one, the opposition cried out that it wouldn’t be legitimate since PGMA controls it. When PGMA allowed herself to be impeached, the opposition again cried out that they’ll just be railroaded at the House Justice Committee or PGMA was putting pressure on some Congressmen, etc., etc., etc. Jeez! What the heck do they want?
Ah, Susan Roces. How can we forget her? She’s being used by the opposition and the leftists but she’s so angry that FPJ lost and probably sad that he has passed away to notice what’s happening. Do these people care about her? No! They want the power all to themselves.
Then there’s Loren. I used to admire her. Back at the impeachment trial of Erap, my heart really went out to her when she cried. I even voted for her when she ran for senator. But when she ran for Vice-President, that got me thinking. She’s just like any other politician. She’ll use you then dump you when you’re no longer useful.
Long Live King Binay! What is he thinking? Turn one of the country’s primary business district into one large freedom park where everyone is shouting their lungs out. I work on the 39th floor of PhilamLife Building at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. Would you believe that we can hear those shouts clearly as we’re right next to the stage? What a great sound system!
People come from all over to hear those opposition people and leftist people to demand PGMA’s resignation, ouster, or as one my colleagues noticed in one banner (I’m not sure if he was joking): OUTS GMA. We’ll, I’m not so sure about that. If you look closely at those attending the rallies, only people near the stage are waving their fists in the air. Those farther out are either chatting with each other, eating boxed meals, eating ice cream, or just having plain fun under the hot sun. In one instance on my way home, I heard this startling conversation:
Woman 1: “Hanggang gabi ba tayo dito” (“Are we to stay here ’till evening?”)
Woman 2: “Oo.” (“Yes.”)
Woman 1: “Paano yung pagkain natin?” (“What about our dinner?”)
Woman 2: “Si Kapitan na ang bahala.” (“[Barangay] Captain will take care of it.”)Now, I’m not saying the administration is not guilty of the so-called “hakot” crowd. I’m pretty sure everybody is doing it. But the fact is, politicians bring in “hakot” crowds to make the rallies look big. A good number of people there — mostly kids — don’t even know why they’re there. All they know is they’ll be given food and maybe anywhere from P300 – P500 cash.
The new issue now is changing the Consitution to shift from a presidential form of government to a parliamentary form of government. This is bound to divide Filipinos further. My take on it? I say give it a chance. Under a parliamentary system, stronger party lines are formed. Smaller parties that have no real platform have little chance of succeeding.
But you know what? Even if I’m bickering right now, I still love this country. And I pray to God, that He will guide us Filipinos through all of this. I’m sure progress is just around the corner.