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Monday, July 07, 2003
Nalzaro: GMA’s body language
By BOBBY G. NALZARO
I am not an expert political observer, but the way President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is acting nowadays, especially with her frequent provincial sorties, I have the feeling she might change her stand and run in next year’s presidential elections. My forecast is based on her body language.
It is very unusual for the President to visit the remotest areas in the country, such as the war zones in Mindanao and the typhoon-prone areas in Samar and Leyte, giving doleouts and financial assistance to calamity victims.
The President is now even visiting and extending financial help and comfort to those families of overseas Filipino workers who died abroad because of accidents.
She is also conducting surprise visits to various government offices and even small police stations, scolding department heads and chiefs of police who failed to institute reforms and order in their respective areas of responsibility.
The latest “victim” of Arroyo’s “tongue-lashing” was the chief of police in one of the stations in Cubao, Quezon City who was caught by the chief executive hoarding some x-rated VCDs in the station. The President, in front of television cameras, also scolded Roberto Lastimoso, relieved land transportation chief.
If the President has no intention to run, as she proclaimed last December, why is she doing what she is doing?
Giving help and aids to calamity victims and local government units can be delegated to her Cabinet members and regional directors of the various national line agencies.
That is also why there is that so-called chain of command in the PNP, as it is the duty of the senior officers to inspect and supervise the various police stations. Although the President is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and the police, she should leave minor matters to her police commanders.
The question is: How will the President justify to the Filipino people and not be placed in an embarrassing situation if she changes her mind and says she will run? Well, again I am not an expert political operator, but that may be easy to maneuver.
The President’s handlers and her political party might create a scenario that will “force” her to run, say, start a signature campaign, petitions, prayer rallies and street demonstrations urging her to run. And if this scenario will snowball, then the President would just declare her decision to seek the presidency.
The encouragement of Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and the support and manifestation of the business community will also be a big factor for Arroyo to reconsider her decision, notwithstanding the prodding of US President George W. Bush and the Japanese Prime Minister who the President both visited recently.
Morag ako nang madunggan daan ang iyang pamahayag nga nagkanayon, “Kinsa man ako nga mosalikway ug mosalindot sa makabungog nga awhag sa katawhan. Kay gina-ingon man nga ang tingog sa katawhan mao usab ang tingog sa Ginuo busa pilit nakong dawaton ang inyong hangyo ug pangaliyupo nga magpapili ako.” Ah, bisan pa og pustahan. Atong huwaton.
(Send your comments and suggestions to: Bobby@sunstar.com.ph or at bgn@cebu. gmanetwork.com. My cell phone number is 09193181404) |
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