I have kept silent regarding the recent developments in Philippine politics because I felt that my views would fall on deaf ears. But after speaking to two of my friends, I realized that I should let my stand be known. Few people will know of it. In fact, I know of only several who read my blog regularly. But I realized that if I did not express my beliefs, I would be counting myself among those who have become passively indifferent to our country's welfare.
This is not a statement of fact but of personal opinion. What you read here is the truth - my truth. I do not presume to know all that there is but what I do know, I feel is enough. Perhaps, in time, it will change. Until then, this is what I know to be right.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should not resign for the good of the country.
Why? Because our country's politics is in a rut that no matter who leads the nation, our choices for leaders are limited to a few that can hardly be called credible, much less effective. But I would rather have someone who knows what she's doing, than someone who doesn't know squat about running a government.
Admit it, the possible alternatives are worse. Noli de Castro and Susan Roces would both be firgureheads of their respective factions. Since they know very little about running a country, they'll be asking for help from their friends and colleagues who would use this to their advantage.
The Opposition would never let another Adminsitration lackey sit in Malacañang. but who would they choose from their own ranks? They are so divided that no one is willing to give any quarter to their allies. The only thing they have been able to agree upon is the face of the Opposition: Susan Roces.
What could be more appealing to the masa than the grieving widow of their idol? Who else could be influenced more easily due to her inexperience?
Regardless of what they say, the people demonstrating on TV do not represent "the will of the people".
It's funny how people suddenly become psychic and act as though they represent the majority of Filipinos. They don't. These "noisemakers" and "professional rallyists" represent a fraction of our country's population. As I look at them through the tv screen, I noticed how few of them are similar to me. Call me elitist but these people look as if they've never had a job in their lives!
The Opposition politicians are using them as "evidence" of people's disconent. I suspect that those who are not affiliated with any serious political groups are being paid to show up. The rest (those that are affiliated with political groups) are doing their SOPs. I wonder if they realize that 4 years ago, they were on opposite sides of the issue. (Pare, di ba yang KM* ang nag-rally sa EDSA Dos laban kay Erap?)
Provided that GMA does not resign, this will be another bump in the road.
The reason this demonstration is bound to fail is because "the Silent Few" are not present at these rallies. The Silent Few are you and me: people who pay their taxes and can't afford to go marching at the streets at the whim of those in power. We have responsibilities and obligations that cannot be ignored because of one person's "lapse in judgement".
This is why "professional rallyists" and "noisemakers" are the only ones you see on the streets. They don't have jobs other than to make a spectacle of themselves in front of the camera. They're handsomely paid to show up, wave their flags, chant catchy jingles, and disperse by the end of the day. Unfortunately, they don't get paid overtime and night differential.
True, I may be generalizing and lumping the good with the bad. But it wasn't until recently that I realized that most of these groups could only complain and whine about the current leadership's inability to meet their demands. Demands that, taken into consideration, are impossible to meet. Other than marching on the streets, do you know of anything else they do?
Susan Roces is a fool.
So was her husband. I mean that with all due respect. The Opposition is not their friend. They are not looking out for the welfare of the people. If they were, they would be finding other ways to change leadership that didn't hurt the country as a whole.
If this were a movie, it wouldn't surprise me to know that Fernando Poe Jr. was actually poisoned. They needed someone to die for their cause. Why not Da King himself? And who better to continue the fight than her grieving widow? It worked the first time, right? But they'd martyr her just like they did her husband. They'd set her up as a figurehead and let her get meshed in burueacratic hell. She'd get all the blame for our country's woes while they make themselves rich.
Political parties are based on trends, not ideals.
The US has two main parties, Republican and Democrat. They are different ends of the spectrum, each having different methods of reaching the same goals. Though different, they are two sides of the same coin. In the Philippines, a party's stance is dependent on the whim of it's leadership. No wonder there's so much fence-jumping.
Resignation is not the answer.
Several groups are asking for GMA's resignation. Everyone from businessmen to faculties and labor groups are making their opinions known. They ask her to make "the Ultimate Sacrifice" but are unwilling to do the same. What right do they have to ask her of this, then?
Our country, it seems, is built on short-term solutions. We prefer quick-fixes than long-term solutions. We abhor the long road and would rather take a shortcut. GMA's removal from office will not solve our country's problems but only satisfy a select few.
The Ultimate Sacrifice is not resignation but cooperation. To put our differences, our hatreds, our personal interests aside in order to make this country great would be the Filipinos' Ultimate Sacrifice. I have no love for GMA but at least she has a plan that's sound. That's more than I can say for the Opposition.
If she has cheated or commited any crime, it would be our best interest as a country to find out for sure by established means. Assumptions, speculations, and insinuations do not a guilty verdict make.
