Tuesday, July 05, 2005

EDITORIAL - June 26-July 02,2005

Is PGMA On The Way Out?
Last night, June 27, 2005, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo broke her silence after three weeks of mounting pressure to speak out, over the famous “Hello Garci” tape.
She started with: “Mga minamahhal kong kababayan”. “For the last several weeks, the issue of the tape recordings has spun out of control…You deserve an explanation from me because you are the people I was elected to serve.”
“I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people including a Comelec official.” Here, she accepted, PGMA talked with many people including a Comelec official but did not exactly name Mr. Garcillano with whom she is alluded talking to within a wiretapped telephone conversation.
“My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not…The election had already been decided and the votes counted,” PGMA pointed out.
“I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I’m sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter. I take full responsibility for my actions and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events.” He, PGMA accepted her call to Comelec official and other people regarding the outcome of the election was a “lapse in judgment” and she apologized for it.
Is an apology of the deemed learned President of the Philippines enough to rebuild the Philippines for the damages the country is experiencing now because of her lapse in judgment?
To say that her call was made “after the election results were already in and the votes had been counted” is questionable. The call was done during the election process. This statement is another statement to mislead the nation.
“Nagagambala ako. Maliwanag na may kakulangan sa wastong pagpapasya ang nangyaring pagtawag sa telepono. Pinagsisisihan ko ito ng lubos. Pinana nagutan ko ng lubusan ang aking mga ginawa at humihingi ako ng tawad sa inyo.”
PGMA asked for forgiveness from the Pilipino people for the “lapse of judgment” and expressed her regret. She appealed to the emotion of her countrymen. But to recognize a “lapse in judgment”, then requested forgiveness and expressed regret is not really enough for the head of state, like the Republic of the Philippines to restore the damages suffered of the nation and the prestige lost here and abroad. PGMA’s courage to accept error is admirable. However, she will be a model if she went further to step down from office.
If she continued her presidency, she will be a model to those who will follow her. Commit “lapse in judgment”, apologize and continue holding office? Future leaders will commit wrong, apologize but continue the questionable leadership? If she resigned the presidency, she is a model to commit “lapse in judgment” and resign the job, so that an excellent head of state will take over the job for the good of the country. The next head of state will maintain an unquestionable character, activities and decisions. He is a person of strength and obedience.
Ms. Arroyo has been sicked of lapse in judgment. In 2003, she announced she would not run for President of the Philippines. But she reversed herself. Her “I remain your humble servant and promise you I will fulfill my constitutional oath of office to serve the people to the best of my ability” is very doubtful of fulfillment. Majority of the Filipinos doubt her loyalty and honesty to the country and her people. Her presidential objectives will be untenable, cooperation is uncertain and her actions are always suspects.
Her presidency has made the Philippines the most corrupt and poor country of the world. The Philippines is the subject of humor in the community of nations with an incredible president.
There is no way for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo but to step down to cleanse the Philippines. She is on her way out. Only time will tell. /MP

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