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Saturday, July 16, 2005
Nalzaro: Democracy is alive
By Bobby Nalzaro
This is the beauty of Philippine democracy—one is free to exercise one’s rights.
We are free to air our grievances through peaceful protest actions. Even media people are free to air their views and to criticize the powers that be without restrictions. The anti-Arroyo rallies held in many parts of the country are manifestations of this point.
Recent developments show that Filipinos are divided on the fate of President Arroyo. There are sectors crying for blood and demanding that she steps down, although some of them have their own political and personal agenda. Others have remained loyal to her, many of them because they benefited from her rule. Meanwhile, there are those who prefer to watch in the sidelines, and I think they compose the silent majority.
Last Wednesday in Makati City, the opposition and other anti-Arroyo groups failed to gather enough people in a rally. The protest action was supposed to be the opposition’s biggest. But if the estimated crowd of 40,000 is all the opposition could muster, then it cannot expect Arroyo to step down. They don't have the number to threaten Arroyo and force her to abandon Malacañang.
As I said before, the military is adopting a wait-and-see attitude. They will only intervene if millions of Filipinos march in Edsa to demand Arroyo's resignation amid allegations of vote rigging in last year's election.
In Cebu, only left-leaning and progressive organizations have joined the call for Arroyo's resignation, but they always protest against whoever sits in Malacañang. The FPJ camp and the political opposition are nowhere to be found.
Only former mayor Alvin Garcia has been issuing statements in the media, but he has not joined any street protest.
Last night, pro-Arroyo groups headed by officials of the City and Province staged a street party. Today, her allies in Metro Manila will mobilize people for a prayer rally. Big religious groups, like the El Shaddai of Bro. Mike Velarde, are supporting the President. Besides, Malacañang has been flooded with resolutions and manifestos of support from local government units and civic and private organizations from all over the country.
In the face of this political impasse, I say that Arroyo can now sleep well without fear of being booted out of Malacañang. Makatug na siyag mag-hayang ani.
(bobby@sunstar.com.ph/ 0919-3181404)
(July 16, 2005 issue)
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