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Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Nalzaro: Last and legal option
By Bobby Nalzaro
President Arroyo is adamant in her stand not to relinquish power despite calls for her to resign and pave the way for a non-violent and smooth transition of power to her constitutional successor. The chief executive insists she has the constitutional mandate to serve the Filipino people until her term expires.
Well, what can we do if she won’t resign? We cannot force her to do so. While resignation is provided for in the Constitution, it is voluntary. Call Arroyo kapalmuks, but relinquishing her post is her judgment call.
The other option is to force her to resign through People Power. This act, though not within the constitutional framework, is an inherent right of the people. Two Filipino presidents have been ousted through this method.
But can the political opposition and other anti-Arroyo groups use People Power to oust Arroyo? I doubt. Friday's political turmoil in Metro Manila was their golden opportunity to prod the people to gather once more at Edsa. But the initial crowd that went there thinned out before midnight.
People, even those who do not like Arroyo, are reluctant to join any ouster move, what with a fragmented opposition. The opposition doesn't have a united stand, especially on matters of succession. They are going to different directions to satisfy their political, personal and ideological agenda.
Vice President Noli De Castro is unacceptable to the people as successor. More so ousted president Joseph Estrada and Susan Roces. While the extreme left is insisting on the setting up of a revolutionary transitional government.
Since People Power is not feasible, the last and legal option is through impeachment. It is a tedious process, true, but it is provided for by the Constitution. And if we don't follow our Constitution, then we might as well dismantle the government bureaucracy. As the late radio commentator Migs Enriquez would say, “Mora na unya ta og gobierno ni Sabas Boang.”
Pro-lifers always say that even criminals need to be given due process before they are jailed or sentenced to death. That they should be made answerable for the crime they committed to the proper court of law.
Using this argument, why won’t we give the same right to the highest official in our land? Let Arroyo answer accusations of alleged wrongdoings in the proper forum that is the impeachment trial.
(bobby@sunstar.com.ph/ 0919-3181404)
(July 13, 2005 issue)
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