The recent political turmoil has made the opposition, once more, drum up the Gloria resign movement that they have tried, time and again, to initiate over the past six years of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidency.
However, again, they are thwarted by the poor showing of support — the absence of the middle class base by which they successfully removed from office the presidency of (now convicted-but-pardoned plunderer) Joseph Estrada. It exasperates many of them on how people could stand to have a president like GMA, and why they are not stirred into action to ask for her resignation. It boggles their minds as to why things like “political fatigue” would occur despite the mounting controversies the country faces.
It leads many figures — wanting to stir the pot with provocation and argument — to invoke quotes like how the 7th level of hell is reserved for those who chose to not do anything or how the greatest crime a person can commit is to do nothing in the middle of a crisis.
While I have deep respect for the opinion that the oppositionists hold, it insults me when they invoke all the “inaction” brouhaha and equivocate such as apathy. It is not apathy — I am aware of all the issues that need to be addressed. However, I disagree on the topic of not just how to address them, but the more important question of when.
GMA’s political guile (not much but, she’s not facing tough competition anyway) and clout, the 1 year moratorium for each impeachment complaint, the lack of substantiative evidence to pin her down in court, her immunity from criminal prosecution as enshrined by the constitution and the incompetence of the current political opposition movement are all working against any conceivable possibility that ousting her would solve the country’s political crisis. It’s simply too daunting to be doing it now. It doesn’t matter if we ask her to resign — I doubt if her small man complex combined with her pride and her thick skin will ever allow her to do that.
I am obliged, I feel, to find some profound Art of War quote, but my point is that, when you attack your enemy, you should be patient, precise and do it at the most opportune time. It should be no different from, say, how snipers would work. If one had watched the movie Enemy at the Gates, one would learn that the protagonist, Vasily Saytsev, would wait for hours, or even days, unmoving, just to be able to kill his intended target. He would choose his targets wisely; first on priority is other snipers, second on priority is commissioned officers, the death of which effectively cripples the enemy by depriving it of experienced personnel as well as their leadership and skill. The best snipers during WWII racked up kill rates of between 300 and 400 kills per sniper for the duration of the war. That’s how much their patience pays off.
We have, I believe, windows of opportunity ahead of us for when our best shots should be reserved for. 2010 is but two years away, soon enough neither impeachment nor resignation will become relevant or pragmatic. Those two years, however, should be enough time for the opposition — or if their incompetence proves yet again too crippling, civil society — to get its act together, find factual and substantiative corroborative evidence, build a case, and file one against her when her time to bid the palace and her criminal immunity goodbye come June 2010. That is when the decisive “sniper shot” (see disclaimer below) should be taken. One should also take into account that she knows that; all the more that we should prepare for that day.
It should even be enough to plan for contingencies for scenarios such as, “what if she doesn’t step down”? I’ll tell you right now, if GMA refuses to step down on 2010, I’ll not only join protests, I will even gladly take up arms if the need (heaven forbid) and opportunity arises.
Disclaimer: Just so no idiot from the AFP, PNP, or even the opposition would misinterpret anything here, let it be known that I am NOT talking about assassinating Mrs. Arroyo or her cohorts. Their death will not accomplish anything. I want her convicted and thrown to jail, alive, if only for 6 years, and even if her accommodations entail some rest house in Tanay, Rizal.
8 responses so far ↓
1 cocoy // Feb 29, 2008 at 11:01 am
Amen! Well put!
The opposition— or any alternative to pgma is not thinking long term. All they see is “people power” like it is the one answer to all things. Which makes me think, “are they mad for power?” They’re not looking at it from the perspective of how to make sure change is permanent! Which is a shame really. IMHO the greater evil even much more than this mess we call PGMA.
The opposition’s problem: too many cooks makes for one bad meal.
I share your opinion Jon, 100%. Just wish brighter minds than us with access to these people can see the wisdom in this.
2 Ordnacin // Feb 29, 2008 at 11:40 am
And BTW instead of the opposition wondering why people are not “moving” maybe they should take a look at themselves instead. They’ve never really been credible alternatives. People see though all this talk about corruption as nothing more than naked power grab…
3 The Ca t // Mar 1, 2008 at 1:16 pm
You rarely blog but you always write with substance. Hats off ako talaga.
The Opposition are not really for reforms. They have only one objective–to oust Gloria period.
These anti-GMA people accuse those who are against unlawful process of removing the President to be pro-corruption. Sheesh. No brainer talaga.
These hearsay-filled investigations with he said/she said testimonies are all but a strategy of a shrewd, calculating mind.
And I cringe whenever I think who possibly is behind this highly orchestrated whistleblower saga turning him to a hero and inspiration of the youth. Duh. Bishop Bacani put him at the level of Jesus Christ. what a blasphemy!!!
4 daguldol tarakatac iii // Mar 2, 2008 at 4:20 am
Those who want convenience can go to the convenience store.
Those who want democracy will have to fight for it …
5 Jon Limjap // Mar 2, 2008 at 10:16 am
Thanks guys,
Seriously, I think too many Filipinos have serious delayed gratification issues. Masyadong hedonistic yung approach natin sa politics, even if it’s likely to have really really bad results.
It is unfortunate that People Power I would spoil us that way.
6 Manuel L. Quezon III: The Daily Dose » Blog Archive » A throne of bayonets // Mar 2, 2008 at 1:29 pm
[...] have reservations about rallies. Demosthenes’ Game lists his reservations about both sides. Ang Kape Ni LaTtEX is holding fire until 2010 leaves no room for debate (on whether the President intends to stay or [...]
7 bugsybee // Mar 3, 2008 at 11:02 pm
While I was reading your post, I was imagining a ninja slowly but surely moving in for the kill.
You have a good point, Jon. Wait for 2010 before pressing the trigger.
But of course this does not mean that, in the meantime, we should look away or play blind and deaf while thieves are dipping their fingers into the cookie jar. I believe we should keep the fire burning so everybody will remain vigilant, so everybody’s on his/her toes. The problem with us is that we’re so like Juan Tamad - we take it easy in the meantime, we wait for tomorrow (manana, saka na lang yan, bukas na, bahala na) without preparing for it, we sleep on our watch. So this is what we get - naiisahan tayo!
8 Jon Limjap // Mar 4, 2008 at 6:09 am
bugsybee,
Unfortunately you’re right. Petiks-petiks lang talaga ang framework ng isip ng nakararami satin. Easy come easy go, kaya maski sa pulitika, pag ayaw na nila yung presidenteng nanalo ng eleksyon, pag protesta nila sa kalsada, dapat “alis dyan” na agad.
This is very much reflected by the Black & White Movement’s (unwise) use of the “now na!” expression at the end of their call. It doesn’t have a hint of seriousness. It’s a far cry from the “Tama na! Sobra na! Palitan na!” campaign from the Marcos years (I have a vivid memory of their leaflets I found in our house as a child and turned into paper airplanes — that leaflet had the infamous Ninoy’s-body-being-pulled-away picture on it).
And I’m sure, these opposition personalities, even with all their resources, aren’t really planning anything to be able to prosecute GMA even if she resigns tomorrow.
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