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Thursday, July 28, 2005
Wenceslao: Hypocrisy, trap, dire predictions
By Bong O. Wenceslao
I am a journalist and so I am forced to monitor, or okay, I enjoy monitoring the actuation of the protagonists in the brewing political crisis. So instead of listening to my favorite mellow rock tunes on the portable radio I normally bring to our bed, I scan the AM stations early in the morning for my favorite news and public affairs programs.
As one local FM station used to repeat like a mantra, "listening is the beginning of understanding." In my case, however, monitoring of the actuation and statements of the main players of the crisis whipped up by the so-called "Gloriagate tape" scandal made me discern some patterns that can either be part of a political strategy or plain human frailty.
Consider hypocrisy. It looks like the political crisis has animated the pots in our midst to call the kettles black-or vice versa. I mean, it seemed to have made groups and personalities believe they own the purest of intentions and the noblest hearts while the others don't-or vice versa. Simply put, everybody has become holier-than-thou.
Examples: President Arroyo talking about the ills of the very same political system she helped perpetuate. Or Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former president Joseph Estrada lecturing the Arroyo administration about good governance despite their record of misrule. Or Rep. Imee Marcos feeling superior as if she weren’t hiding past demons.
Then there are the traps. Like the Arroyo administration urging the people to begin the "great debate" on charter change and forget the "Hello Garci" issue.
Or the President's critics telling her to speak about the "Hello Garci" issue so when she does they can pounce on her some more (remember her ill advised apology to the nation?).
And what about those dire predictions that have become repetitive simply because they didn't happen? These usually come from supposed political analysts or think tanks or experts, whatever (how pretentious, the label). The problem is, with their supposed respectability, they get to be invited in talk shows and popularize their "prophecies."
Example: If the President does not resign, the following variations of the same theme would happen: she would be ousted by people power, the country would be plunged into anarchy and chaos, etc. The last time I looked, Arroyo is still there, no people power is in the horizon and despite the political noise the country is still plodding onwards.
TEXTREAX. Ahmed Lebumfacil of Toledo City has this suggestion on the political setup we should adopt: "The Constitution should be amended to include the provision that the president and vice president shall be chosen not through an election but by people power--and only by Metro Manila residents."
(khanwens@yahoo.com/0927-2055064)
(July 28, 2005 issue)
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