|
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Nalzaro: Executive decision
By Bobby Nalzaro
President Arroyo is smart. She declared a state of national emergency even if the country is not facing a clear and present danger like she claimed.
Rah-rah boys of the administration said that Proclamation No.1017 was an executive decision meant to foil an attempt by the political opposition and leftist and rightist groups to overthrow the government. However, proof about the supposed coup attempt was never made public, sparking suspicion it was more of an imagination than real.
While we cannot question the power of the Chief Executive to declare a state of emergency or to place the entire country or any part thereof under Martial Law, we can’t help but consider the timing given the present political situation in the country.
There is no outbreak of violence, rebellion or insurrection in our country, so it is difficult to justify the government’s declaration of a state of emergency. Forces ranged against the Arroyo administration have been conducting their street protests peacefully and there is no troop movement in the military.
The President must have learned something from the two Edsa People Power revolutions that toppled the governments of Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada. To recall, Arroyo was a beneficiary of the second Edsa.
The two Edsas proved how vital the civilian and military components are in successfully toppling a government.
During Edsa 1, what inspired the group of then defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile and then PC-INP chief Fidel Ramos to withdraw support from the Marcos government was the overwhelming support of the people that trooped to Edsa to protect them from Marcos’ loyal forces. Had the military not split into factions, I doubt if Marcos could have been ousted.
The same happened during Edsa 2. The military hierarchy headed by then Armed Forces chief of staff Angelo Reyes decided to go against their commander-in-chief when they noticed that people had trooped to Edsa following the aborted impeachment case against Erap. Had the military stayed behind Estrada, he would not have been forced to abandon Malacañang.
Also, people supported the move to oust Erap because they saw that then vice president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was capable of running the affairs of the government.
What was lacking in the failed Edsa 3, when thousands of Erap supporters stormed Malacañang on May 1, 2001, was the military component. Had military elements supported the move, Arroyo would have also been ousted.
These were the scenarios that must have been considered by Arroyo when she decided to declare a state of emergency. She banned street protests for fear these would snowball into people power and prod disgruntled military personnel to launch a coup.
And why are some people, especially the elite and middle class, reluctant to join street protests and support a military adventurism to oust Arroyo?
Because no one among the opposition is capable of leading this country.
Which would you prefer, a military junta or a leftist-dominated government?
(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 1, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
