Alleba Politics

Yesterday, I tried to understand and accept President Arroyo’s decision to declare a State of National Emergency. And to a certain degree, I did understand her decision. But now that the situation has become relatively stable, she is just inviting criticism and more protests by not lifting the declaration.

If she really wants to remain as the president of the country, she should reconsider the declaration and maybe even apologize for it. Thus far, the attempts to impeach and/or unseat her from the presidency have failed because it lacks sympathizers from the middle class and the elite.

If she keeps up projecting a tough, unflinching stance, then she may just alienate and anger most of the fence-sitting middle class. And that is something she does not want.

Although at this point in time, it is unlikely that she will be unseated through mere “people power,” one wrong move from her side could easily cause the tide to turn against her. She is so afraid of a coup d’ etat and “people power” that she fails to see that further force from her could bring about exactly what she fears. Right now, I don’t think that the forces acting against her are enough to unseat her. Keeping Prof. Randy David in military custody was a miscalculation. Fortunately for her, most Filipinos do not recognize David as an idol. However, if she does the same to Teofisto Guingona, Corazon Aquino or even Satur Ocampo, she might be faced with greater force. She should also not make the wrong move of taking over any private companies, especially a media outfit. That would surely be a suicidal move.

If this unnecessary “State of National Emergency” continues on for a week, she is not only jeopardizing her own presidency, but the rest of the country as well. Right now, she could still blame the protesters of sabotaging the economy and the country. By declaring and maintaining the “State of National Emergency,” she has challenged her critics and political opponents, thus inviting more chaos and instability. And these could only spell a long-term disaster for the country’s economy, tourism and morale.

Bookmark on del.icio.us

• State of National Emergency
• Life after Proclamation 1017
• Pre-SONA 2006
• A Call to all Filipinos: LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
• Post-SONA 2006