|
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Editorial: Lakas meeting
SOMETIME Saturday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, and former President Fidel V. Ramos will meet with other top officials of the Lakas national party to iron out differences in the Charter change program with specific reference to Mr. Ramos's demand that Arroyo yield in 2007.
Even if Ramos did found the Lakas party -- in reality de Venecia did much of the mobilization that resulted in the Lakas rainbow coalition during Ramos's run for the presidency -- he may not be considered much of a factor in determining whether the President stays or exits after 2007.
The question now remains as to whether there is any possibility of a compromise between the top Lakas figures. When asked in a recent interview on where he stands vis-à-vis Ramos and Arroyo, de Venecia obviously chose the incumbent over a former president.
Which only reflects the true nature of politics in this country, which is that there are no permanent allies, only permanent interests.
This even as one remembers that Ramos stuck by de Venecia in the selection of the party's 1998 presidential standard bearer when he could have done a Cory and picked Renato de Villa as the Lakas bet.
That is so since de Venecia has his own plans or designs on Charter change and being a master negotiator, de Venecia can afford to bide his time until he can build another alliance that may help him win that coveted presidency or prime minister post.
Though the Palace quickly moved to douse the critical comments posted by Ramos on Arroyo's presidency by reporting to the national media that a meeting between Ramos and Arroyo had been cordial and arrived at an amicable approach towards resolving the "term of office" and "no elections" issues.
What is most important now though is for Lakas officials and members to decide on the two issues and other urgent matters on the basis of one's convictions and not on loyalty to either of the two.
Ultimately, each party member's decision should be influenced not on who's in power at the moment but at what's right.
Because they are the majority, the Lakas party consultation meeting is of significance to the country largely because it would determine which direction this Charter change initiative would go and how this would impact on the welfare of the Filipinos as a nation.
That is if the opposition does not spoil this meeting.
(January 14, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
