I heard the President’s State Of the Nation Address over the radio while Frances and I were driving home from our Father-Daughter stroll. As you know, I am no political expert and I honestly do not have a firm grasp of understanding on the technicalities of economics and political systems. So I am assuming that how I take the president’s speech is a good approximation of how the average Filipino understands it.
For reasons still not clear to me, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s address was mainly pointing an accusing finger on how our present form of government is the stumbling block to our nation’s progress. The path of economic recovery from how I understood it, was as simple as amending the constitution.
Judging from the thunderous applause that reverberated in the hall, it appeared that a great majority of people who listened to what the president suggested was the singular rudimentary remedy for the country’s present ailment.
Aside from the call to pass legislation on encouraging renewable and indigenous energy, the entire address really confused me. Why wasn’t the pressing issue of electoral fraud that has gripped the entire nation addressed? Why are we now all of a sudden talking about amending the constitution that directly had nothing to do with the problems that we’ve had over the past few months? With all the solutions being proposed, why wasn’t the actual problem even raised and discussed?
I found it surprising how GMA said, “The system clearly needs fundamental change, and the sooner the better. It's time to start the great debate on charter change.” I couldn’t make the connection between wanting a better life for Filipinos and actually putting it up for debate. I do agree however that fundamental change is indeed imperatively needed, but I don’t think the accusing finger should be pointed at the system right now. You are riding an older reliable car and your driver was caught beating a red light. You want to hold the driver accountable, so the solution is to have him drive a different car? Not to over simplify the problem, but the system is only as efficient as the people who make it work.
You have to pardon my ignorance, but in my opinion, with how the president opened the speech by saying that ours is a tale of two Philippines, two countries under the same name, and to intentionally evade the greater issues by prematurely introducing charter change is simply contradictory to the intent of unifying the nation.
I think part of GMA’s boldness to simply move on after the wiretapping scandal comes from the fact that she thinks she is doing the right thing because she still strongly believes that there was no fault at calling up the commissioner of elections during the election period. Isn’t it a strong hint that Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, whom the president supposedly casually had conversations with is still nowhere to be found as of this writing?
A visiting colleague from the states who was here in Manila days before the SONA observed how it appeared that Filipinos are generally apathetic to the entire issue. Though I said there are mobilizations and rallies going on, I would still have to agree with his comments. The people are disillusioned and tired. But indifference is only half the problem. What really amazes me is the fact that the issue has actually divided the country.
There are people who still applaud GMA’s honesty for admitting to be the voice in the tape. Some people actually agree that we should just move on and let the president do her duty. Some people actually think amending the constitution should be our priority. And more importantly, some people would still want to settle for a president who is unbending in her stand of innocence because all things considered, she is still our lesser evil.
What the heck is going on? Isn’t it just a matter of right and wrong? Actions and consequences?
Ok, let’s recap. The president openly admits to have called the commissioner of elections in the middle of the electoral period. She says it was a lapse in judgment and implores the country to move on. For some strange reason, she sends her husband abroad who is being accused of jueteng involvement as an act of "sacrifice" for the nation. People take to the streets screaming that she resigns. She then goes on TV and tells everybody if you want me out, go and impeach me. Then at the height of all the confusion and chaos, she delivers a State Of the Nation Address, which deliberately steers clear of every major issue that has happened in the past few weeks and announces how we should now start debating about charter change.
Now isn’t that a bitch.
You have to hand it to GMA, a lesser person would have given in by now. Or should I say a better person would. I’m not screaming for blood. But as with a lot of other Filipinos, my confidence has been betrayed. I just want accountability. I long for economic growth and progress. And believe me, I want to move on. I want my daughter to grow up in a country she can be proud of, where even politicians can be looked at as role models.
Perhaps, a change in constitution may better our economc standings in the future. I don't know. I am not too familiar with the pros and cons of charter change, and I suppose so does the average Filipino. But seeing how blatantly we seem to prioritize the need to satisfy the hunger of the economy rather than the emptiness of morals just confuses me all the more.
