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Friday, June 10, 2005
Godofredo Roperos: Delicate days of June
By Godofredo M. Roperos
Politics Also
FOR a moment there, I was tempted to use “hours” instead of days in the head. But on second thought, I found the latter softer to use in describing the ascendant waves of turbulence threatening the administration of President Arroyo.
Under the prevailing situation, to say that the threat of political upheaval is a matter of hours is to be an alarmist and a grim pessimist. For the strength of the Arroyo administration could not just be overwhelmed in a matter of hours.
It is possible, though, that the eyes of political observers and analysts are glued on this nation right now. The developing events are much too critical to miss, especially since the Philippines occupies a well-positioned geopolitical presence in Asia and the Pacific.
The political rumble between the President and her government and the political opposition is the developing global media attraction. It has all the prerequisite of another full-blown “Edsa” show that could happen in just a matter of days, unless sooner cooled.
I don’t know how this country could ever withstand another revolution.
As it is, about two thirds of our people are miserably hobbling under the crippling burden of economic instability. And if we add one more straw to the weight, it should not surprise anyone really if finally, the people’s patience would run out its course.
The way things are moving now, with the Church joining the chorus, chanting for the President to be impeached instead of just forced to resign, I am fearful that an Edsa 3 is in the offing. The President has to decide, and decide fast, on what to do to save this republic.
Yes, an impeachment would be good, but it would be gravely divisive for my money. It would be another media circus just like the Erap trial that could balloon to such proportion that might push this nation to full-blown revolution where the cost might go beyond the survivors’ capability to pay.
Someone mentioned somewhere about the holding of a “snap elections.” I think this is more advisable, in the sense that the President can defend herself openly before the people in the campaign trail. And the opposition would have all opportunities to open its treasure trove of evidence against GMA and her family. On top of it, the people themselves would be the final judge of the democratic contest.
I strongly believe that the holding of a snap election at the soonest possible time would be the best course. It could preempt, too, the explosive impatience and potential violence among the harried masses.
Give the people the means to let off pent-up emotions and/or bottled up frustrations.
There is always a better than even chance, I believe, that the constant political bickering we have all witnessed in the past months has shown us how not to live under a corroding collective national leadership.
Right now, the political leadership of the nation does not only condone rank corruption at all levels of public office, but also open expression of personal political interests among our individual public leaders, whose vested interests are being upheld over that of the public.
Truly, the way developments are moving forward like tributaries of a waterfall, towards the mainstream before the fall, the best recourse for the President is a snap election where she would also have the opportunity to defend herself and win back the public trust.
(June 10, 2005 issue)
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