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Wednesday, October 08, 2003
Wenceslao: She lied, and that’s bad
By Bong Wenceslao
Fellow columnist Juan Mercado visited the office yesterday to deliver the beer (I mean beers; he actually bought three cans), which I won in a bet—that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will run in 2004. Mr. Mercado thought Gloria was sincere in her Dec. 30 promise not to seek a full term. He was wrong, of course, like many other Pinoys.
“Just got back from Bangkok (Thailand),” Mr. Mercado’s short message said. “Although I’m still saddle-sore, I’m rushing over the beer that I owe you for having taped the GMA decision right. ‘Wish is father to the thought.’ That, I suppose was the reason I erroneously thought GMA meant her ‘decision’ not to seek election in 2004.
“I do not question GMA’s right to run. The Constitution allows her to. And the New York Times editorial rightly notes: ‘It’s no shame to change one’s mind. This incident, however, validates that old saw: When the woman driver ahead sticks out her hand, it does not necessarily signal she’s going to turn. All it means is: The car window is open.”
Well said, although I hope feminists won’t complain about that claim that women stick out their hands in open car windows. Still, I think Gloria’s announcement last Saturday of her political plan can be considered anti-climactic. This is because signs that she is running were visible everywhere and only the politically naïve didn’t notice them.
Now that she has declared her candidacy, I agree with the opposition that the one issue that will haunt the President concerns lying. She lied to the public, and that’s a crime. Or to put it in another way, her political strategy tried to make the Filipinos look stupid. I doubt if discerning people will ever forget that when the balloting comes.
When I accepted that bet with Mr. Mercado, it was because I was convinced that Gloria’s Rizal Day promise not to run was a ruse. Years of frustration with the ways of traditional politicians or trapos have convinced me that. And I take it that Mr. Mercado, veteran journalist that he is, had an inkling about it, only that he was banking on hope.
I knew even at that time that the announcement not to run was part of Team Arroyo’s strategy—it was meant to arrest the downslide in the President’s popularity rating and generate sympathy from the people. I had the feeling that when the election period nears, she would eventually claim that majority of the Filipinos want her to run.
One of the traits I always look for in a friend, and for that matter a leader, is honesty. When I am convinced that a friend or a leader lied, my respect for that friend or leader disappears. This is true with Gloria. Lying, plus her puppetry to US President George W. Bush, is not a very good equation as far as I am concerned. And I’m just being honest about it.
P.S. I continue to receive Text Reax contributions about the Kris Aquino-Joey Marquez breakup. But since Kris has accepted Joey’s apology, withdrew the cases she filed and promised not to talk about the matter anymore (Joey also made that promise), I think I will no longer consider text messages discussing the said issue.
Anyway, a texter noted the following: “According to an 8-year trending done by the women’s group Gabriela, domestic violence peaks during the months of January, March, May and June. These are the months when family expenditures rise.”
Meanwhile, here’s a rejoinder by Ding Santiago to an earlier complaint on the sorry state of A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City: “The problem exists not only in A. S. Fortuna but also in H. Abellana St. in Canduman. It’s a super damaged road that also experiences flooding. To the mayor of Mandaue and barangay officials of Canduman: Do you guys still exist?” What a question.
(For your Text Reax contributions, my cell phone number is 09166496783. Please give your complete name and address. Or e-mail to: cowens21@lycos.com)
(October 8, 2003 issue)
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