|
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Wenceslao: What else is new?
By Bong O. WenceslaoBong O. Wenceslao
agree with those who contend that the “people’s initiative” sponsored by the Arroyo administration is bound to fail.
But on second thought, consider this: Malacañang strategists may not have pinned hope on its success either. For all we know this could be a case of the means justifying the end: bring the spotlight away from President Arroyo.
I mean, with “people’s initiative,” where’s the talk about Impeachment, Part II? Or at least the fertilizer scam? Gone, for now, you may say. But it could be, gone for long, considering the process the initiative will have to pass through---authentication of the signatures, filing of a case with the Supreme Court. That could take months.
So the anti-Arroyo, it sounds to me, ay naisahan na naman. With another Marcosian tactic, incidentally. Remember, just weeks before, the declaration of the state of emergency? Shades of Proclamation 1081. Now we have barangay assemblies for Charter change. Shades, too, of Ferdinand Marcos’ bogus citizens assemblies.
Was it Karl Marx who said that major events appear in history twice, first as tragedy the second as farce? Here’s your farce: President Arroyo doing a Marcos double take but under laughable circumstance. What other Marcos tactics will this government ape next? Well, just ask former Marcos functionary, DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
As for the anti-Arroyos, where to? Can they do a Juan Manuel Marquez?
Knocked down three times by Manny Pacquiao in the first round, he succeeded in eking out a draw after 12 rounds. Or can the anti-Arroyos rebound from this hit? That depends on how brilliant their counter-offensive would be and, well, if they can unite.
Of course, the anti-Arroyos still have many rounds of ammunition in their arsenal. The Arroyo administration has many issues that can be used to pin it down. So they may be able to sneak an uppercut---like Impeachment, Part II---and stop the pro-Arroyos in their tracks. The key there is timing. Or when there’s a lull in government’s offensive.
In the end, though, I say we, the people, may just be at the losing end of all these. The noise will again pull us down. Government will once again be drawn away from the basics: service delivery, propping up the sagging economy. All because our leaders, who are still thinking of nothing but politics. But then again, what else is new?
E-MAIL. From Consorcio Gulbin: “This is a reaction to your column, ‘Demonizing Mike and Joy.’ I agree that the land swapping deal between Cebu City and Capitol should be carefully studied.
“However, the question on who will politically benefit from it in the future shoud not be raised now, as it will only increase the tension between Mike Rama, Joy Pesquera and Mayor Tomas Osmeña. What is important is who can help the less fortunate people worrying about the ownership of the lots.
“I’m thankful for the mayor for showing his willingness to help the affected residents. I agree that some residents have not fulfilled their obligations under the socialized housing scheme, but we can’t blame them because nobody would waste his/her money when the Province has been so vague about their plan for the lots.
(khanwens@yahoo.com/ 0915-9228651)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 30, 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
|
