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Wednesday, June 04, 2003
Wenceslao: Reinventing Erap
By Bong Wenceslao
So how does one know the campaign period for the 2004 elections has started? I mean the unofficial and not the official one that follows the filing of the certificates of candidacy next year. The answer? Just listen to the noise. I mean, when you start hearing bluster over substance, or the sound of mud being raked and thrown around, that’s it.
Or there’s another way to find out. You know the campaign period has started when: one, you see Imee Marcos playing Lapu-Lapu’s wife in a reenactment rite; two, you see the faces of Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon and Sen.. Panfilo Lacson in the idiot box while you are watching your favorite show.
Or take this. When you see the unlamented former senator Rene Saguisag do one more good turn for his erap, the also unlamented former president Joseph Estrada—well, the campaign period has started. Finally, when you see Erap boys ganging up on the Supreme Court to resurrect an issue that is already in history’s dustbin—again, that’s it.
I mean, Saguisag, brilliant as he supposedly is, knows his impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and seven associate justices won’t go anywhere. For one, only a few congressmen and senator would stake their reputations for it. Also, time is running out, what with the 2004 elections just around the bend.
So why file the complaint, anyway? Politics. Erap’s boys (and girls) know that the next few months are crucial if the former president wants to take another stab at the presidency.
Or even if he only supports other opposition wannabes. So as early as now, they want to provide the voters with a new interpretation of Erap’s fall in 2001.
In a sense, the impeachment complaint is a variation of those tv spots that tried to redo Lacson’s image from devilish (kidnapper, drug pusher, money launderer, salvager, etc.) to saintly (a hero to Robina Gokongwei and a taxi operator, etc.). It wants to manipulate the notoriously short memory of Pinoys. So Erap was illegally ousted? Uh-oh.
Actually, I was initially tempted to consider Saguisag’s move as brilliant. Until my idealistic side told me Pinoys are not dumb or hopeless not to see through the ploy. And it may yet boomerang on them. For by resurrecting an issue they should have buried, the well meaning are given the chance to remind the people of bad times: the Erap years.
OPPOSITION. Maybe it’s because of their position in the current political balance of power that opposition presidential wannabes are seen as more aggressive and dynamic than those in the administration. Consider Sen. Panfilo Lacson who, aside from those tv spots, is continuing to set up his machinery and building up logistics for 2004.
So what’s happening to former education secretary Raul Roco, the supposed topnotcher in surveys among presidentiables? If he won’t move, then expect the no-other-viable-candidate-than-Gloria sipsips to prevail. They will succeed in making people believe that if the opposition bets should be defeated, President Arroyo should run.
P.S. Here’s a complaint from a Text Reax contributor: “Please investigate the alleged corruption and inefficiency in the Cebu City office of the National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO) due to slow processing of birth certificate authentication. People line up as early as 1 a.m. A reliable source said that for P300, one could get the same done in one hour.” Attention NCSO top guns.
By the way, I would like to remind Text Reax contributors and e-mail senders that I have decided to be choosy with what text messages and e-mails to print here. Rest assured, however, I am taking note of all of your views.
(For your Text Reax contributions, my cell phone number is 09166496783. Please give your complete name and address. E-mail: cowens21 @lycos.com or opinion@sunstar.com.ph)
(June 4, 2003 issue)
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