Tuesday, January 23, 2007 Aportadera: Emergence of the United Opposition Force By Billy Aportadera Rights and duties
IN THE days to come, the opposition will bare out its senatorial slate. How opposition would the opposition be?
The UNO (United Opposition), headed by Makati City Mayor Jejomar C. Binay, hopes to effect the coalescing of mainstream opposition parties, i.e. the PDP-Laban (Philippine Democratic Party-Laban of Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr.) and PMP (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino) which rallies around the disgraced Joseph E. Estrada, the LDP (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino of Senator Panfilo M. Lacson and Congressman Agapito "Butch" Aquino Wing), the LP (Liberal Party of Senators Mar Roxas and Franklin M. Drilon), and the NP (Nacionalista Party under Senate President Manuel B. Villar Jr.)
If this happens, victory for the opposition in the senatorial race is on sight if not a forgone conclusion. The next concern is the electoral battle for congressional seats. This is where the opposition needs to win decisively. It needs to win at least 79 seats. It is the magic number, which the opposition must win if it wants to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. If the opposition falls short of 79 congressional seats, the administration will survive until 2010.
The opposition should expect the administration to pour in government funds in districts where its congressmen are weak. Can the opposition put up strong challengers against administration congressmen seeking reelection? Can it fund their campaigns?
The May 2007 election is crucial for democracy of our country. At this early stage, the business sector is voicing its concern that for the credibility of the election, Chairman Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. and two commissioners of the Commission on Elections must resign and be replaced.
Moreover, sectoral representative Rizza Hontiveros Baraquel exposed that those persons implicated in the "Hello Garci" tapes have been promoted. How the opposition would jell itself into the Opposition Force to thwart the excesses of the Arroyo Administration is a daunting challenge. A united opposition emerging victorious this coming election would be the first step to restoring the check and balance in our democracy.
(Atty. Abelardo "Billy" Aportadera Jr., former commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and former assistant Ombudsman, is a practicing lawyer and a member of Philconsa, E-mail address: apo_lawoffice@pldtdsl.net; Web address: http://billyaportadera.blogspot.com)
