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Sunday, February 26, 2006
Cabaero: Arroyo and Thaksin
By Nini B. Cabaero
Beyond 30
There are many similarities in the administrations of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Both leaders are under pressure to resign, with calls coming from a loud and multi-sectoral opposition.
The two leaders came into power during optimistic times. Arroyo was first sworn in as president after Edsa 2 toppled Joseph Estrada's government, then perceived to be most corrupt. Thaksin assumed the presidency during a period of widespread reforms after street protests toppled the unpopular military government.
Arroyo's woes started from the release of the "Hello Garci" tapes where she allegedly talked to an election official about rigging the results of the 2004 presidential polls. Arroyo faced an impeachment complaint that her supporters in Congress later defeated. The pressure for her to resign her post did not end as those in the opposition kept up protests on the streets and in Congress.
Thaksin, for his part, was charged with widespread corruption practices with the latest incident---his family's shareholdings in a huge telecommunications company in Thailand---uniting many sectors against him. The pressure on him heightened after the Jan. 23 sale of Thaksin's telecommunications company, Shin Corp., to a Singapore investment firm for S$1.9 billion and his alleged failure to pay income taxes.
Both Arroyo and Thaksin have declared they would not resign. Arroyo had said she would not betray the mandate the people gave her in 2004. Thaksin said the only person with the authority to tell him to resign was the king of Thailand.
The similarities in their two administrations end there.
Arroyo imposed last Friday emergency rule on the country. This meant she could order arrests without warrants, cancel permits to hold rallies and take over companies or services.
Thaksin dissolved parliament and called for early elections within 60 days.
Thaksin won a second term only last year and was supposed to have three more years in his current term. By opening himself to early elections, he said, "The best way is to ask the people. One man, one vote. It is the people who make the decision. If you don't like me, vote for others." It was a move to defuse political tensions.
Arroyo's troubles are not bound to go away soon. Yesterday, the arrest of Rep. Crispin Beltran and a retired police officer and the confiscation of copies of a Manila newspaper known to be critical of Arroyo could bolster resistance to her emergency rule.
Arroyo, at this point, would have to be as creative as Thaksin to find ways to settle the political storm in the best way and without bloodshed.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 26, 2006 issue)
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