Bona fide Text
Not another flop political scene
If you are a movie fanatic, definitely you can say that the activities happening in Philippine government are all scripted.
One of the highlights of the "on-going movie" was the time when the "Idol of the Masses" was ousted and forced to leave the House of the President. It was a shameful scenario that one of the presidents of the Republic of the Philippines was removed from office facing plunder and perjury cases. You think 13 is not a lucky number? I bet so.
Erap's ouster from office made it again to another history account not only here in the Philippines but also throughout the world. Philippine politics is fast-paced that within 24 hours everything changes.
Let me remind you of the "Hello Garci" controversy. Every Filipino was shocked to know that there was an alleged "dagdag-bawas" in the 2004 Presidential Elections as heard in the tape of the conversation between PGMA and COMELEC Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. Take note, it was the Office of the President which informed the public about it. It is still fresh in my mind how Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye showed the CD copy of the said wire-tapped tape. Alas! It was a good twist! That even before the real story comes out; Malacañang has already blocked the soon-to-be issue. Was it impressive?
Let's have the next plot of the story. The eyes of tens of millions of Filipinos were glued as President Arroyo is to be commended for finally admitting, on June 27. "I was anxious to protect my votes… I recognize that any such call was a lapse in judgment. I'm sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter. I take full responsibility for my actions, and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events…"
Then after that the story of the wire-tapped tape fades. That even the opposition insisted and tried to look for a new evidence to prove that it was really an act of "dagdag-bawas," the continuation of the story was not that sellable to the ears of the public. Filipinos I may say are very emotional. Konting drama, okay na.
Time passed by and the opposition busy themselves in digging better evidence to prove that PGMA's position was indeed questionable. However, they always failed and they can't find a hard evidence to prove that the administration indeed was guilty of election fraud. They may have evidences but sad to say they were not as strong as the Cabinet members of the administration defend themselves with regard to the different political issues faced by Arroyo's government.
Then the 2007 elections came and the candidates in the previous national elections made a try to vie a seat in the Senate. Some were lucky to get a position but for some it was a not-nice-move like the case of the local actors running for senator which failed to be in the magic 12. Political scenes are really not for them. What do you think?
The political moves were always on the go. Opposition side was very effective in making the best "patudsada" to the administration and the latter was very strong-willed to deny almost all of accusations pointed by the opponent group.
Until the ZTE hullabaloo made noise in all forms of media. Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos stepped down from his office just to clear out his name in the controversy. But it was not the end of everything; Secretary Neri's name was in the picture and the limelight was given to the son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia.
What about the PhP 500,000.00 cash given to Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio? It was allegedly given by the Malacañang, however after three days the League of Governors admitted that the money came from them. Here's a big question: Why that too late to admit? Sounds fishy? And why the governor received such amount without knowing who gave that money in the first place?
But among all the controversies, this is the most controversial of all. September 12, former Pres. Estrada was found guilty of plunder which sentenced him to life imprisonment but after a month PGMA granted him executive clemency. This appealed for Estrada's pardon, invoking "humanitarian consideration" and national reconciliation.
"I hereby grant executive clemency to Joseph Ejercito Estrada," Arroyo said in a statement, which was read by Acting Executive Secretary Bunye on national TV.
Well as the opposition keep on saying, it will never stop there. They are preparing now for a strong impeachment case against PGMA. We'll see in the upcoming and that exciting chapter in the political scene of our country.
I remember the lines coming from veteran actress, Susan Roces saying, "…not once but twice." Allow me to use that. We'll keep track about the happenings in our political scene not once but twice.