GMA's Bane in Her Kind of Democracy

And now the end is near…

It would happen anytime soon if we are to make it possible. The end of tyranny; of corruption; of prolonged suffering; of political subjugation; of civil unrest, at least under the reigns of no less than the fascist government of GMA. It’s been eight years since EDSA II and yet its fruits were yielded to rotting. The promise of EDSA II was put in vain, and even worst, the inspiration left by EDSA I, the pioneer people uprising elsewhere. But let’s look at some scenarios surrounding this controversy.

Economic leap in 30 years

Few weeks ago, the unassuming economic men of GMA declared history in terms of the country’s economic growth in the past three decades, surpassing the Tiger economy boasted by then President Ramos. More to this, they said that our economy is as of the moment, the most stable and viable economy in the continent, even at the onset of a looming US recession. Really, GMA works in mysterious ways. But then the bottom line of the economy boils down to how the people see and feel such breakthrough. We can’t live by the numbers alone, but by every pound of food; the earning in every available work and the services due to us.

Economy by the numbers is no less than digging into a treasure pit and letting your neighbors get them out. Impressive as it may sound but the ordinary Filipino has to eat and survive by the day. The economic growth must be felt. It must convert to food, to work, to social services and the likes. These are the simple things poor Filipinos aspire everyday from the established government. They deserve of these simple treasures. But present scenario is far from reality.

Alongside the news of an economic turn around, here comes a complete cycle of chronic and acute corruption in GMA’s government. Direct links to GMA have also been established or at least her immediate family. And just recently, no less, she admitted a flaw of the China-based deal prior to signing it, but true to being advocate of maximum tolerance (popular in law enforcement agencies), yet she allowed this to proceed, and if not for the strong souls of writer Jarius Bondoc, Vice-Gov. Rolex Suplico, Joey and recently Jun Lozada, GMA and her cohorts (Abalos, Neri, her husband, and company) may have been reflecting up to now on how to spend such a fortune. Sometimes, divine intervention really works, and again, pre-empting the self-perpetrated (meaning government) corruption or what I call corruption-politics. For all they’re vested self-interest, they get what they deserve from the beginning.

The people are exhausted of ‘people power’

Indeed some may assume that Filipinos are physically tired of another people power, but they are never ever blinded by the prevailing acute corruption and political conquest of the Arroyo regime. While the Palace maintains stability, all the more that voices from across sectors and persuasions reverberate in different democratic grounds (Mendiola, Welcome Rotonda, EDSA Shrine,etc. and now Ayala Avenue) and the media, including house of worships and faith. USEC Golez is confident of proclaiming that the silent majority in the countryside is by the president, but which majority is he talking about if only their cohorts in the local governments (Leagues of Towns, Cities, Provinces, and ULAP) are speaking for themselves and making out of their caprices, and not on behalf of their constituents. Golez even downplayed the recent Interfaith Rally, the biggest so far after the ZTE scandal, that there are 80 million plus Filipinos and the 80 thousand souls present, including those who faced harassments along their way, is not reflective of people’s sentiments. Shame to this better turned bitter alter ego of GMA for he inflict so much remorse to his master, such that instead of plain and simple defense, Golez seemed to downplay the clout at the cost of desecrating the essence of the 500 thousand people-driven EDSA 2, which by the way is not all reflective of the 80 million Filipinos. But in God’s mercy, GMA was enthroned in the Palace because of that popular movement. He should then go to hell with GMA instead.

As long as corruption in government, remarkably under GMA administration (Fertilizer scam, PIATCO deal, IMPSA deal, FG account, Macapagal Boulevard, etc.), the rest of the Filipinos won’t lose sight of the beauty of fighting evil. Underestimating the aspirations of ordinary Filipino is an irreversible mistake for the administration. It only takes a critical turn somewhere, and history will repeat itself.

Do the loco ‘Cha-Cha’ or Snap Elections

True to its musical anatomy, the literal cha-cha dance steps come in at intervals. Just like the Cha-Cha or Charter Change of the Palace. Whenever controversies hound GMA, Cha-Cha always comes to play and stops when tension subsides, and many politicians go with its tune. In spite of a Supreme Court ruling halting the constitutional amendment through people initiative, here comes newly installed House Speaker Boy Nograles recalling calls for Cha-Cha via Constituent Assembly. Whichever their agenda, it’s as clear as moonlight that this is diversionary tactics to sway the focus of people away from the ZTE-Lozada scandal, or if it were successful, GMA may enjoy a term extension to pave way for a parliamentary con federal form of government. Moreover, Cory came to the rescue and with aid from CBCP, she asserted a blockade to the new Cha-Cha moves.

Rep. Edno Joson (Nueva Ecija) for his part calls for a snap elections. For the sake of getting rid with GMA and Noli de Casto, and given that they both resign to give way for the snap polls, who will then contend for the vacant post. How sure are we that they wouldn’t come from the lineage of GMA? That maybe a quick way of getting rid with GMA but questions on its legality and viability lies within the discretion of the court. Besides, calling for one is giving due advantage to the administration given its resources. It may even legitimize GMA later on if the winner comes from her allies.