PARDON WITH A PRICE
28 10 2007
I hopped from one blog to another hoping to get a “feel” of the various reactions people have over Gloria Arroyo’s granting executive clemency to Joseph Estrada. While some like Schumey and the Black and White Movement strongly oppose Erap’s untimely freedom, others like Arbet are not too keen on joining the anti-pardon bandwagon.
As it turned out, Gloria Arroyo and her chief adviser Ronaldo Puno would rather risk getting the ire of the numerically inferior anti-Estrada EDSA 2 veterans than lose the potential support of Erap who until now remains to be a potent force in the political landscape of the nation.
Indeed, desperate times call for desperate measures. In order to divert the public’s attention, Mrs. Arroyo saw it fit to grant pardon at a time when her administration is practically on the verge of collapse due to substantiated allegations of rampant corruption coming not from the opposition but from administration allies themselves.
By asking for pardon, Erap in effect has recognized the legitimacy of the Arroyo presidency. Not only that, his role as the de facto leader of the opposition is now highly suspect. I doubt if he or even his sons Jinggoy and JV will still have the nerve to criticize Mrs. Arroyo the way they used to.
And because of the perception that Erap has struck a deal with the administration, this will ultimately lead to the break-up of the loose coalition of anti-Arroyo forces composed of former pro-Gloria civil society, religious and militant groups on the one hand and the pro-Erap group on the other. If that happens, then Gloria will definitely have the last laugh.
As Schumey has correctly observed, we ordinary folks are left to fend for ourselves while our supposed leaders cancel each other out in the fight for political survival.
Arroyo. Ramos. de Venecia. Estrada. Stop pinning your hopes on them. We have been taken for a ride for the longest time.
(photo courtesy of forums.istorya.net)
Talagang wala ng pag-asa ang Pilipinas
[...] the bystander is more cautious: By asking for pardon, Erap in effect has recognized the legitimacy of the Arroyo presidency. Not only that, his role as the de facto leader of the opposition is now highly suspect. I doubt if he or even his sons Jinggoy and JV will still have the nerve to criticize Mrs. Arroyo the way they used to. [...]
After all my fury and anger over the pardon,I have reflected on recent events and realized the following:
1)I always had an uneasy feeling siding with the political opposition because of Erap being its”de facto leader”.I can now forget all about Erap being part of the real opposition.Thank God!
2)The new Gloria /Erap tandem has become the unholiest of political alliances.I doubt if it will really last (is there honor among thieves?)
3)We can now forget all about EDSA DOS.It was turned into a BIG FARCE by the pardon(after the “Big Fart” last week).
4)Gloria and Ronnie keep “raising the bar” each week to divert attention from the mega scandals. Can they sustain this level week after week?
5)We shall observe the realignment of forces in the coming weeks.Imagine Villar/Cory/Escudero praising the pardon while FVR/Gordon/Joker critizing it.
Now we sit and wait for the new leader who will further abuse us. As Major Tom aptly commented, we are not user-friendly but abuser friendly. We keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2008
We respectfully propose to The Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008, in alphabetical order, to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada and Ronaldo Puno for their efforts to create peace and national reconciliation in the Republic of the Philippines.The three nominees have worked hard to establish a political democratic atmosphere and firm respect for majesty of the Law (following the dictum of “justice delayed is justice denied”
For the past decade, the conflict the “Pro Erap” forces, the “masa” and the “Pro Gloria” (the ruling elite), has been among the most irreconcilable and menacing in Philippine politics. The parties have caused each other great suffering.
By negotiating the The Presidential Pardon For Erap , and subsequently following it up with the quick pardon after six (6) weeks from the conviction of Erap by the Sandigan Bayan, Arroyo,Estrada and Puno have made substantial contributions to a historic process through which peace and cooperation can replace a bitter political feud and possibly a dangerous civil war and hate among Filipinos.
In his 1895 will, Alfred Nobel wrote that the Peace Prize could be awarded to the person who, in the preceding year, “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations”.
The proposed award of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Arroyo, Puno and Estrada is intended to honor a political act which called for great courage on both sides, and which has opened up opportunities for a new development towards fraternity in the Philippines.
It is our hope that the Committee will give the award to these great Filipinos to serve as an encouragement to all the Filipinos of different political persuasions who are working to establish lasting peace in this important country in the strategic ASEAN region.
The Profiles of the Proposed Nobel Peace Prize Awards for 2008
1) President Gloria Arroyo: She has declared the Philippines as the most democratic country in our region. “We have no tolerance for human rights violations at home or abroad.” GMA Speech in the UN General Assembly;Sept.28,2007
2)Ex- President Joseph Estrada:He served more than six years in detention — six years and six months to be exact. First in an air-conditioned suite at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, and then at his own well-appointed rest house in Tanay town, outside Manila .
3)Secretary Ronaldo Puno :The Peacemaker between President Gloria Arroyo and President Joseph Estrada. He is arguably one of the most successful campaign managers in Philippine politics. He supported the presidential bids of eventual winners Ferdinand Marcos,Fidel Ramos,Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
I’m 100% convinced that Gloria will do a Marcos and declare martial law to perpetuate herself in power for the following reasons:
1)George W. Bush will not disagree.Therefore she must do it while he is still in power.(The next American President may be a Democrat and may not tolerate her move if she makes the move after 2008).
2)The Neocons and ex-generals dominate the cabinet (Gonzalez, Puno, Ermita,Reyes,Mendoza, Ebdane ,etc.)
3)The “Genuine Opposition” AND Erap have been co-opted.
4)$100/ barrel cost of oil will have very adverse economic consequences.
5)She will use the “threat of terrorism” as a pretext.
6)Cardinals Reyes and Vidal will insist on a “critical collaboration” with the martial law regime.
7)Gloria’s conscience will be her guide.
i agree with your observation, equalizer. i’m not just sure as to when she’ll declare “martial law” per se or any euphemism for it. if i remember right however, it is quite difficult to declare martial law at present because it needs the concurrence of congress. the supreme court likewise has the power to determine the factual basis for such declaration.