Monday, May 28, 2007 Nalzaro: Wake up call for Arroyo By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
THE opposition, which included two mutiny leaders, has taken the majority of Senate seats in the last elections. So where did the Arroyo administration go wrong? Its Team Unity (TU) candidates, despite the backing of the well-oiled political machinery of the administration, failed to dominate.
As of the latest Comelec tally, it’s 7-3-2 in favor of the opposition. Migs Zubiri of the TU has already dislodged Koko Pimentel of the Genuine Opposition for the 12th slot following the canvass of Cebu votes. Magdalo leader Antonio Trillanes is in the 11th slot, but Zubiri might dislodge him, with Ralph Recto trailing.
Even if Recto and Zubiri join the Magic 12, the opposition will still dominate the race. Where can we attribute the administration’s defeat in the elections? Was it because of the individual personality of the candidates? Prospero Pichay and Chavit Singson spent a lot of money for their campaign, yet they failed to capture the sympathy of the public? Was it because some of them are political butterflies, like Tito Sotto and Tessie Aquino-Oreta?
But if political “turncoatism” is one of the factors, why did Edgardo Angara win? He was affiliated with deposed president Joseph Estrada? Well, I think nobody will argue with me that Angara is brilliant, and he deserves to be reelected. As for Cesar Montano, a popular showbiz personality, why didn’t he also make it?
Why did the majority of Filipino voters prefer the opposition’s candidates, most of whom are also recycled politicians and Estrada’s allies? Is this an indication that people’s support for the Arroyo administration is waning? The result is sending a strong signal to Malacañang’s occupant to shape up or else. I think the debacle of the administration’s candidates can be attributed to the Arroyo administration itself. The people are already fed up with the way Arroyo is running the affairs of government.
Graft and corruption, human rights violations and the indecisiveness of this administration may be some of the reasons the people have become disgusted and frustrated. Imagine, voters opted for Honasan and Trillanes, who are facing charges of coup d’etat? As I said in my previous column, those who voted for Honasan and Trillanes were not necessarily convinced and sold out to their causes and principles, especially on the idea of changing our political leadership through military takeover. It was more of protest votes.
With the rejection of her candidates, maybe Arroyo can take a cue on how to improve her brand of leadership and style of governance and go after corruption. So expect fireworks between the executive department and anti-administration-dominated Senate. But I hope the Upper Chamber will cooperate with the administration on matters that will benefit the greater majority. I’d like to see the day when the Senate is a more effective fiscalizer rather than blocking the country’s economic and political progress.
