By: Ambrosio R. Villorente
The Most Turbulent Presidency
The presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is the most turbulent compared with other presidencies since 1946 or for the last 59 years. The turbulence during the Marcos and Aquino presidencies were not comparable to the present day chaotic state.
It is only in the Arroyo presidency where 10 members of the cabinet simultaneously resigned their positions and strongly demanded that President Arroyo steps out of the Presidency. Senate President Franklin Drilon joined the call for President Arroyo to step out of the presidency. Almost all the cause oriented groups joined the demand that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo must step down of the Presidency. The call for President Arroyo to resign was led by former lady President Corazon Aquino.
It is only in the Presidency of Arroyo when the CPR or Calibrated Pre-emptive Response is employed to quell rallies and to suppress the right to peacefully assemble for the redress of grievances. CPR was employed to disperse a relatively peaceful procession at the corner of Claro M. Recto and Legarda Streets. Some of those in the procession took a bath of water from water canon aimed at them. Senator Jamby Madrigal, former Vice President Teofesto Guingona, Rev. Father Reyes among others were hurt and became wet of water from the firemen. These happened only in the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presidency.
It is only in the Arroyo presidency when a member of her cabinet Norberto Gonzales, National Security Adviser was cited for contempt for refusing to answer questions of the members Senate Blue Ribbon Committee regarding the Venable Contract. Gonzales, in the course of the investigation suffered of low blood sugar and heart problem. After this, PGMA issued 464 ordering all the members of the cabinet to attend Congressional hearings with her permission only.
It is in the Gloria Arroyo presidency when some 300 officers and men in the AFP held Oakwood mutiny. Some generals in the AFP are alleged to be corrupt. There are also military officers who are Court Marshaled for telling the truth, vis a viz, election cheating. An election commissioner alleged to be instrumental in election cheating is nowhere to be found. Mr. Virgilio Garcillano is believed the man to give light on the “Hello Garci” tape. But where is his safe house?
Inspite of these problems, Malacañang retorted: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is too busy implementing her 10 points agenda – creating more jobs, attracting investors to the Philippines, making sure Filipino households will have enough foods on their dining tables.
But bread alone is not enough. There must be decency, morality and legitimacy. President Arroyo is alleged to have cheated her way to the presidency in the May 2004 elections, her critics pointed out.
And therefore, her stay in Malacañang is illegitimate. According to her critics, the disappearance of Mr. Garcillano is Malacañang advised so that the substance hidden in the “hello Garci” tapes will remain a mystery. The tactics written in the books were all earnestly employed by Malacañang to stop the Impeachment of President Arroyo.
The Filipino people are seeking the truth from the president. Short of it, protests, rallies are sure to go on unabated. Filipinos need the truth. Return Garcillano to the Philippines to reveal the truth. This is morality. This is honesty. The Filipinos strongly want an honest President. They want other officials and employees in the bureaucracy to be honest, the protesters demand.
Filipinos do not demand things Ms. Arroyo cannot afford to give. She has already accepted and felt sorry for her “lapse in judgment”. Ms. Arroyo must not wait to end her term in 2010 for her to step down. She must do it now to assure peace in the streets, in public places, in government, and in the households. The Filipinos have been cheated since the 15th century by foreigners. They are feeling worst to be cheated by a Filipino now.
The Black and White Movement has proposed for a transition government with Vice President Noli De Castro to be installed President. This is one way for a graceful exit of Ms. Arroyo for the sake of the Philippines and her people. But De Castro declined. What will be done next?
-o-
A news release from the PIA said “Philippines peso is now the strongest currency in the Asian region against the US dollar. It has been most stable during PGMA’s administration, since her father’s term. It strongly depreciated.
Yes, this is true. In 1961 when President Diosdado Macapagal became president, the US $ peso rate was $1 to P3.00. President Macapagal adopted the “floating rate”, or let the peso sakes its own level. At the end of his term in 1965, the peso US $ exchange rate was P18 per one dollar. Cost of gasoline was six centavos (0.06) per liter in 1961 and went up to P0.18 in 1965.
When PGMA was sworn President in 2001, the peso – dollar rate fluctuated between P48 – P50 per dollar. Today it is P55.50 per dollar. It went to as high as P56.80 per dollar. On the other hand, premium gasoline today is almost P40 per liter in Aklan. It was P30 per liter in 2001 when she became president of the Philippines. The increase is insignificant 25 percent only in a five year period. Is that not strong increase? Do not believe this.
But look at Thailand in 1965, the Bhat rate to US Dollar was 40 bhats per dollar. Today, it is 37 bhats to a dollar. Thailand currency appreciated, Philippines peso depreciated.
So PGMA is demanding a “little sacrifice in a short run but lasting rewards in the form of more jobs and livelihood facilities, better social services, more infrastructure and less debts.” Filipinos have tightened their belts. It has almost severed their bodies from the hips.
Yes, little sacrifice as 52 percent of all the Filipinos are now in poverty. This was 47 percent before she reached Malacañang palace. PGMA and company want some more of the upper 48 percent of the population to sacrifice, just pay the E-Vat. That is all.
PGMA promises more budget to education, housing, public health, micro financing, land reform and other poverty alleviation measures.
Actually, E-Vat proceeds may go to pay the US $56 billions foreign debt and the P3 trillions domestic debt.
PGMA also assured the people she will place corrupt officials in jail. Maybe she will include the P25 million MKWD deal. But the LWUA has not even released to the consumers the result of its investigation /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
The Most Turbulent Presidency
The presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is the most turbulent compared with other presidencies since 1946 or for the last 59 years. The turbulence during the Marcos and Aquino presidencies were not comparable to the present day chaotic state.
It is only in the Arroyo presidency where 10 members of the cabinet simultaneously resigned their positions and strongly demanded that President Arroyo steps out of the Presidency. Senate President Franklin Drilon joined the call for President Arroyo to step out of the presidency. Almost all the cause oriented groups joined the demand that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo must step down of the Presidency. The call for President Arroyo to resign was led by former lady President Corazon Aquino.
It is only in the Presidency of Arroyo when the CPR or Calibrated Pre-emptive Response is employed to quell rallies and to suppress the right to peacefully assemble for the redress of grievances. CPR was employed to disperse a relatively peaceful procession at the corner of Claro M. Recto and Legarda Streets. Some of those in the procession took a bath of water from water canon aimed at them. Senator Jamby Madrigal, former Vice President Teofesto Guingona, Rev. Father Reyes among others were hurt and became wet of water from the firemen. These happened only in the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo presidency.
It is only in the Arroyo presidency when a member of her cabinet Norberto Gonzales, National Security Adviser was cited for contempt for refusing to answer questions of the members Senate Blue Ribbon Committee regarding the Venable Contract. Gonzales, in the course of the investigation suffered of low blood sugar and heart problem. After this, PGMA issued 464 ordering all the members of the cabinet to attend Congressional hearings with her permission only.
It is in the Gloria Arroyo presidency when some 300 officers and men in the AFP held Oakwood mutiny. Some generals in the AFP are alleged to be corrupt. There are also military officers who are Court Marshaled for telling the truth, vis a viz, election cheating. An election commissioner alleged to be instrumental in election cheating is nowhere to be found. Mr. Virgilio Garcillano is believed the man to give light on the “Hello Garci” tape. But where is his safe house?
Inspite of these problems, Malacañang retorted: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is too busy implementing her 10 points agenda – creating more jobs, attracting investors to the Philippines, making sure Filipino households will have enough foods on their dining tables.
But bread alone is not enough. There must be decency, morality and legitimacy. President Arroyo is alleged to have cheated her way to the presidency in the May 2004 elections, her critics pointed out.
And therefore, her stay in Malacañang is illegitimate. According to her critics, the disappearance of Mr. Garcillano is Malacañang advised so that the substance hidden in the “hello Garci” tapes will remain a mystery. The tactics written in the books were all earnestly employed by Malacañang to stop the Impeachment of President Arroyo.
The Filipino people are seeking the truth from the president. Short of it, protests, rallies are sure to go on unabated. Filipinos need the truth. Return Garcillano to the Philippines to reveal the truth. This is morality. This is honesty. The Filipinos strongly want an honest President. They want other officials and employees in the bureaucracy to be honest, the protesters demand.
Filipinos do not demand things Ms. Arroyo cannot afford to give. She has already accepted and felt sorry for her “lapse in judgment”. Ms. Arroyo must not wait to end her term in 2010 for her to step down. She must do it now to assure peace in the streets, in public places, in government, and in the households. The Filipinos have been cheated since the 15th century by foreigners. They are feeling worst to be cheated by a Filipino now.
The Black and White Movement has proposed for a transition government with Vice President Noli De Castro to be installed President. This is one way for a graceful exit of Ms. Arroyo for the sake of the Philippines and her people. But De Castro declined. What will be done next?
-o-
A news release from the PIA said “Philippines peso is now the strongest currency in the Asian region against the US dollar. It has been most stable during PGMA’s administration, since her father’s term. It strongly depreciated.
Yes, this is true. In 1961 when President Diosdado Macapagal became president, the US $ peso rate was $1 to P3.00. President Macapagal adopted the “floating rate”, or let the peso sakes its own level. At the end of his term in 1965, the peso US $ exchange rate was P18 per one dollar. Cost of gasoline was six centavos (0.06) per liter in 1961 and went up to P0.18 in 1965.
When PGMA was sworn President in 2001, the peso – dollar rate fluctuated between P48 – P50 per dollar. Today it is P55.50 per dollar. It went to as high as P56.80 per dollar. On the other hand, premium gasoline today is almost P40 per liter in Aklan. It was P30 per liter in 2001 when she became president of the Philippines. The increase is insignificant 25 percent only in a five year period. Is that not strong increase? Do not believe this.
But look at Thailand in 1965, the Bhat rate to US Dollar was 40 bhats per dollar. Today, it is 37 bhats to a dollar. Thailand currency appreciated, Philippines peso depreciated.
So PGMA is demanding a “little sacrifice in a short run but lasting rewards in the form of more jobs and livelihood facilities, better social services, more infrastructure and less debts.” Filipinos have tightened their belts. It has almost severed their bodies from the hips.
Yes, little sacrifice as 52 percent of all the Filipinos are now in poverty. This was 47 percent before she reached Malacañang palace. PGMA and company want some more of the upper 48 percent of the population to sacrifice, just pay the E-Vat. That is all.
PGMA promises more budget to education, housing, public health, micro financing, land reform and other poverty alleviation measures.
Actually, E-Vat proceeds may go to pay the US $56 billions foreign debt and the P3 trillions domestic debt.
PGMA also assured the people she will place corrupt officials in jail. Maybe she will include the P25 million MKWD deal. But the LWUA has not even released to the consumers the result of its investigation /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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