A question of delicadeza

SHE SAYS

Dinah S. Ventura

12/07/2009

Malacañang spokesmen find nothing amiss with the latest development confirming that President Gloria Arroyo is running for a seat in Congress in 2010.

Indeed, they say, “there is nothing wrong with it,” “it is her right,” “there is no legal impediment” and so on, just as they answered all the questions raised by the Chief Executive’s surprisingly numerous visits to her hometown this year.

Smiles wreathed on her face, Gloria met the boisterous cheering of her cabalen (province mates) as her son Mikey, current congressman of their hometown, contrived to give a heroic speech before their fans, declaring his willingness to step aside for “the better leader,” his “beloved mother.”

The Philippines’ most unpopular president had obviously emerged from her “soul searching,” eager to serve again (although vice presidential candidate Sen. Mar Roxas puts a question mark on her real motives for running for Congress).

Meanwhile, the Internet bloomed with less than flattering commentaries about the most recent Arroyo activity. (“Tama na, please” seemed a common, albeit tortured, remark in cyberspace…)

In any case, the move finally put to rest those niggling doubts and long-time speculations that Gloria would run again for the much lower post even though her camp had dithered and blustered and made evasive remarks when asked about it point-blank some months ago, when the issue of Cha-cha (Charter change) was roiling still.

The top reason conjectured then was that she would run again in order to make herself immune to corruption charges once her presidency ends. After all, the ghosts of all those issues and allegations that had been killed by her administration are expected to one day come back to haunt them.

Secondly, the supposition was that President Arroyo would vie for a seat in Congress so that when the push for a new form of government comes to shove, she would be in a position to step up as Prime Minister, in which case she would end up in power still (and, of course, be immune from the plunder suit awaiting her).

As for these assessments, the Palace has been quick to point out that a seat in Congress does not shield anyone from suit — the position only protects congressmen from libel.

“Congressional immunity is from libel suits for utterances made in a congressional sessions,” President Arroyo said, adding it is not what she is after, but “public service.” As Arroyo allies reasoned, it is the call of her fellow Kapampangans that she cannot ignore.

Indeed one of her avid defenders told a TV reporter recently that when it comes to this issue, delicadeza takes a backseat to the overwhelming demand of her constituents.

Former President Fidel Ramos, obviously perturbed by this turn of events, said that President Arroyo should resign immediately if she is running for office because her current position gives her immense and undue advantage over everyone. Not only is it unfair to all other candidates, it is also, he implied, the height of indecency. The Supreme Court may kowtow to her wishes and declare resignation is not necessary, but wouldn’t it be more just or honorable to step down and fight fair?

The question is, when has delicadeza ever figured in the Arroyo leadership? Where was it when her name was linked to not just one, but a number of bribery and fraud allegations? It has never had a place in the overall scheme of things.

Moreover, has her presidency been so singularly impressive that her services as a leader are such in high demand as her cabalen insist? Perhaps it’s true for her favored province, but the rest of the nation would most likely disagree.

The national surveys do not lie. According to the latest from Pulse Asia, 51 percent of Filipinos are not happy with President Arroyo’s job performance, and 52 percent do not find her trustworthy. The surveys clearly show that more and more Filipinos are finding this president far from satisfactory. Why she would choose to listen to the few and pointedly ignore the sentiments of the majority is also just as clear: her own interests are more important than the country she purports to serve.

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