Sunday, September 30, 2007 Cabaero: Presidential spouse By Nini B. Cabaero Beyond 30
MANY thought that the last of the problematic presidential spouses was seen when the glory days of Imelda Marcos, wife of Ferdinand Marcos, ended.
Whether she deserved it or not, Imelda Marcos took a chunk of the blame for the ills of the Marcos government.
As things are turning out, it appears that Imelda Marcos was not the last problematic presidential spouse.
With the name of presidential husband Mike Arroyo being mentioned several times together with the word “kickback” during the Senate hearing last week, similarities between the Marcos era and the period now under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration are being discussed.
It’s not about the extent of the alleged corruption or other excesses in the exercise of presidential powers. It’s about the rise of controversial presidential spouses---Imelda in the case of the Marcos government; Mike in the case of the Arroyo administration.
During Marcos’ reign, it was convenient for some to blame the ills of the government on the drama-filled and public life of Imelda. Now, while Mike Arroyo is being linked to certain irregularities, the so-called modern-day whistleblowers have somehow shielded President Arroyo from responsibility based on their testimonies.
It started with Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, son of the House speaker, calling Arroyo as “my President” and declaring that he didn’t think President Arroyo had knowledge of the alleged corrupt practices of poll chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. and the involvement of her husband during negotiation-meetings over the national broadband network project.
Then there was former socioeconomic planning secretary Romulo Neri who said last Wednesday that Abalos offered him "200" to favor China firm's ZTE Corp. in the broadband project.
Neri, now Commission on Higher Education chairman, said he wasn’t sure what the “200” meant, whether in thousands or millions or in US dollars or Philippine pesos. Neri said he was shocked with Abalos's offer which he believed was a bribery attempt since they were discussing the broadband deal.
Abalos has been named in an impeachment complaint filed last Thursday by Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico before the House of Representatives. With Malacañang declaring it would not help Abalos, the poll chief appears to be on his own.
“Our policy is not to interfere with the internal affairs of a co-equal and co-responsible branch of the government,” said Presidential Management Staff director general Cerge Remonde, a Cebuano. The poll office is a constitutional body and a co-equal of the executive branch.
No action has been taken against First Gentleman Arroyo but the testimonies linking him to questions over the broadband deal are hurting President Arroyo. The supposed deeds of the husband are tainting the presidency.
It wasn’t long ago when it was the president’s wife. Being a presidential spouse is supposed to mean responsibility, not privilege.
