Date: June 2003

Of Politics and Presidents

President Arroyo appears (for the moment) to be standing firm in her decision not to seek re-election in 2004. However those around her, perhaps not so keen to step down from their positions of influence, obviously think otherwise. The press is being constantly drip fed with rumors and innuendos suggesting that a popular groundswell of opinion is building in favor of her changing her mind. At various times during the last week there have been stories suggesting that the business community wants her to run; that George W. Bush wants her to run and – perhaps most importantly – the Catholic Church wants her to run. Even Korean president Roh Moo Hyun appears to have jumped on the bandwagon.

Deposed President Joseph Estrada last week launched an impeachment drive against the chief justices that swore in President Arroyo in January 2001 and claimed anew that he was the legitimate president of the Philippines. “Give me back the presidency” ran the headline announcing his “appeal” to the people – almost ranking the presidency as being akin to a mislaid toy. Estrada supporters want the congress to launch impeachment proceedings against the Supreme Court though, with congress in recess this week for an extended rainy season break, there appears to be little enthusiasm to heed the cry. Administration supporters naturally see it as yet another attempt to deflect attention away from the plunder trial in which the prosecution has already would up its case and for which the defense is seen to have no credible rebuttal.

Will Estrada ever be convicted? “Probably not” is the short answer. Even without the May 2004 election, any decision by the court that goes against Estrada will be seen by his supporters to have been politically motivated. As the election draws nearer such a conviction would be used by opposition forces to rally the masa against the “exploiting class.” There is no doubt that President Arroyo has put statesmanship back into the presidency, not to mention the confidence of investors (to a point). But when the opposition starts afresh with its noises about drafting another actor, Fernando Poe Junior, it demonstrates a mindset that reduces politics to the Roman maxim of “bread and circuses” but minus the bread. Fortunately FPJ appears to have the common sense to know that he is being used.

 

Click Here to View Complete Listing of Special Reports