Drilon: Not My Job To Clap My Hands
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose legitimacy of her presidency, delivered her State of the Nation Address during the joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate held at Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City in the afternoon of Monday, July 25. But she made no mention of the political crisis that has gripped the Philippines for two months now.
Instead of informing the nation of the truth of the “Hello Garci” tape, the Jueteng Payola for which the First Gentleman, her son and brother in law are allegedly involved, Ms. Arroyo sounded the call for constitutional amendment and pledged to her audience to push ahead with her economic and fiscal reforms at whatever “political cost”.
Ms. Arroyo urged action on the constitutional change espoused by former President Fidel V. Ramos and Speaker Jose de Venecia. “It should be done, the sooner the better,” Arroyo declared. She did not give the time frame.
Ms. Arroyo also expressed her preference for a constituent assembly in the constitutional amendment as well as to shift from presidential unitary form of government to a parliamentary – federal form. She urged, “its time to start the great debate on charter change.”
Ms. Arroyo described the Philippines as “two countries”. One whose economy is now poised for take off and the other one is “whose political system after equally long years of degeneration has become a hindrance to progress.” The political system has degenerated to an extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean,” Arroyo pointed out.
“Our political system has betrayed its promise to each new generation of Filipino, not a few of whom are voting with their feet, going abroad and leaving that system behind,” Arroyo stressed. Therefore, “it is time to turn to the people, bring them into government and change the way government is done”, Arroyo said.
The SONA was done in 23 minutes, applauded for 33 times, 5 times of which were of standing ovation.
Arroyo critics said, those in the audience inside the Batasan are of Arroyo supporters. They were specifically invited for the occasion, therefore, they are expected to give applause. “They were “hakat” audience.
Senate President Franklin Drilon met President and opened the joint session in behalf of the Senate to fulfill his duties as Senate President. However, he was shown forlorn on stage while President Arroyo was delivering her SONA. Amidst the thunderous applauses of Speaker de Venecia and the audience, Senate President Drilon remained on his seat unperturbed. “It is not in my job description to clap my hands when the President is delivering a speech,” he said after the SONA.
President Arroyo must face the issue of the legitimacy of her presidency. She must tell her people the truth. Did she really call Com. Virgilio Garcillano and ask him to increase her votes by cheating? She must allow Garcillano to appear in public and permit him to tell the truth.
She must also disclose the truth on the Jueteng Payola the closest members of her family to have allegedly been receiving. Should these be true, she must have restored her credibility and respect of the people whom she vowed to serve honestly and well. If she did these, then step down. What profits a woman to weld power through a dishonest means and destroy her country? /MP
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose legitimacy of her presidency, delivered her State of the Nation Address during the joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate held at Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City in the afternoon of Monday, July 25. But she made no mention of the political crisis that has gripped the Philippines for two months now.
Instead of informing the nation of the truth of the “Hello Garci” tape, the Jueteng Payola for which the First Gentleman, her son and brother in law are allegedly involved, Ms. Arroyo sounded the call for constitutional amendment and pledged to her audience to push ahead with her economic and fiscal reforms at whatever “political cost”.
Ms. Arroyo urged action on the constitutional change espoused by former President Fidel V. Ramos and Speaker Jose de Venecia. “It should be done, the sooner the better,” Arroyo declared. She did not give the time frame.
Ms. Arroyo also expressed her preference for a constituent assembly in the constitutional amendment as well as to shift from presidential unitary form of government to a parliamentary – federal form. She urged, “its time to start the great debate on charter change.”
Ms. Arroyo described the Philippines as “two countries”. One whose economy is now poised for take off and the other one is “whose political system after equally long years of degeneration has become a hindrance to progress.” The political system has degenerated to an extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean,” Arroyo pointed out.
“Our political system has betrayed its promise to each new generation of Filipino, not a few of whom are voting with their feet, going abroad and leaving that system behind,” Arroyo stressed. Therefore, “it is time to turn to the people, bring them into government and change the way government is done”, Arroyo said.
The SONA was done in 23 minutes, applauded for 33 times, 5 times of which were of standing ovation.
Arroyo critics said, those in the audience inside the Batasan are of Arroyo supporters. They were specifically invited for the occasion, therefore, they are expected to give applause. “They were “hakat” audience.
Senate President Franklin Drilon met President and opened the joint session in behalf of the Senate to fulfill his duties as Senate President. However, he was shown forlorn on stage while President Arroyo was delivering her SONA. Amidst the thunderous applauses of Speaker de Venecia and the audience, Senate President Drilon remained on his seat unperturbed. “It is not in my job description to clap my hands when the President is delivering a speech,” he said after the SONA.
President Arroyo must face the issue of the legitimacy of her presidency. She must tell her people the truth. Did she really call Com. Virgilio Garcillano and ask him to increase her votes by cheating? She must allow Garcillano to appear in public and permit him to tell the truth.
She must also disclose the truth on the Jueteng Payola the closest members of her family to have allegedly been receiving. Should these be true, she must have restored her credibility and respect of the people whom she vowed to serve honestly and well. If she did these, then step down. What profits a woman to weld power through a dishonest means and destroy her country? /MP
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