The
heat is on—the political season for next year’s
presidential derby—still eleven months away, is already
upon the country’s psyche. GMA, Danding Cojuangco, Ping
Lacson, Raul Roco, Noli de Castro, or FPJ? Choose your bet,
but first, on the wisdom of whether GMA should gun for a full
six-year term next year or not?
Here’s what we said in early January (this year), one
which we still maintain to this day:
“It was a masterstroke that caught off-guard both the
President’s political allies and foes. The timing was
superb, using Rizal’s death anniversary as a stunning
example of personal sacrifice in the name of national unity
and growth; indeed a classic exercise in humility. “But
since I am among the principal figures in the divisive national
events of the last two or three years, my political efforts
can only result in never-ending divisiveness.”
Thus, with the President’s surprise announcement Monday,
Rizal’s 106th death anniversary (Dec. 30,2003), of not
anymore seeking the presidency in 2004, the ground has been
paved for what she plans to achieve in the remaining 18 months
of her administration: a) strengthening the economy, to create
more jobs, and to encourage business activity unhampered by
corruption and red tape in government, b) healing the deep
divisions within the society, and c) working for a clean and
honest elections in 2004.
The immediate political harvest of the announcement was
likewise stunning: praise and expressions of support from
leading opposition figures, particularly Senators Ed Angara
and Panfilo Lacson; resignation from office of controversial
Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, and GMA’s forthwith
acceptance (thus removing a major load off her back); and
a softening of criticism from the President’s erstwhile
allies in the so-called civil society groups.
From hereon, political controversies can only emanate from
run-of-the-mill politicians, with the President going above
and beyond such calls, and in the process becoming a true
statesman and leader of the whole nation. The sense of gloom,
of too much negativism and conflict in society resulting from
a poisoned and thoroughly debilitating political atmosphere,
has now been cleared and placed behind us. And together, a
shared vision of what to expect, could now be confidently
confronted:
“My reading of the political winds tells me that the
2004 elections may well go down in history as among our most
bitterly contested elections ever. This is because of the
deep social and political divisions that we now have. If this
is true, then sincere efforts to launch government programs
will run the risk of being derailed by political fighting
leading up to the elections. The government in place after
2004 may then merely end up inheriting a country as deeply
divided as ever. Consequently, we may end up stalling national
growth for a few years more as a result of lost momentum.
In view of all these factors, I have decided not to run for
President during the elections of 2004.”
Without doubt, we feel the President has finally taken the
right path to national unity and reconciliation. We not only
believe in her sincerity but also support her 100 percent
for the initiatives that she may take from hereon. It is our
view that with the presidential prerogatives now insulated
from narrow and partisan considerations, the country’s
drive to move forward could finally gain momentum, unhampered
this time by bitter and useless debates that only dilute and
lead to a loss of national focus.
No Filipino in his right and sensible mind could possibly
disagree with such a declaration. Skeptics and pessimists—the
true enemies of the Republic—terrorists, criminals and
grandstanding politicians, if they persist in taking potshots
at the government, run the risk of being marginalized from
the country’s political mainstream. Their true motives
may then be unmasked, and nothing can stop a determined people
from following a leader whose plans and vision for the country
they share and support.
As in a wound that needs thorough cleaning to prevent infection,
an appropriate cure must be applied decisively at the right
moment. The President’s decision is a good beginning—truly
the right step in healing the wounds of the country’s
national discord. *
The
heat is on—the political season for next year’s
presidential derby—still eleven months away, is already
upon the country’s psyche. GMA, Danding Cojuangco, Ping
Lacson, Raul Roco, Noli de Castro, or FPJ? Choose your bet,
but first, on the wisdom of whether GMA should gun for a full
six-year term next year or not? 
