Another Dose of Glory

Despite her stay in the palace for more than nine years, the fun never stopped and the hunger for power of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo remained  unfulfilled.

Last year, she filed her congressional candidacy for the 2^nd District of Pampanga. To give way to her mother’s entrance into the action, Mikey Arroyo, the loyal son, gave way.

For years now, I have endured much of the people’s “Oust Gloria” battle cries. Alas, in her supposed exit—in her only decent exit—she again proved that she never fails to fail the majority of her countrymen. For her, the game is not yet over.

The Arroyo administration has indeed a little bit of everything of the worst that can happen to a nation that has never really received what it truly deserves. The administration has laid its already dirty hands to acts of corruption and countless human rights violations.

Kickbacks from the multi million dollar contract for a national broadband network (NBN), which was supposed to improve government communications capabilities, proved to be insufficient. The administration needs more.

The battle of farmers for fair adjustments in fertilizer funding will still be in jeopardy because the Fertilizer Fund Scam can still be repeated. Moreover, a million peso dinner extravaganza in an expensive restaurant during an out-of-the-country trip may still stage its return.

As the current president of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, which evidently holds most of congressmen nationwide, she surely has the support of these influential politicians. She can certainly do magic tricks to pursue the undying Charter Change.

Less than a decade of not-as-clean-as-expected rule over the land should speak of the summary of everything. May she be forbidden from the race!

I cannot blame the people of Pampanga, particularly the people of the 2^nd District, if they adore Mrs. Arroyo. Besides, as a very busy “working president,” she paid the province 47 visits last year (statistically, that’s nearly a weekly visit). Most of the visits were in the district where she was earlier rumored to run.

Apparently, projects and developmental infrastructures were concentrated in the 2^nd District. Audit figures show that said district has received more than the combined amount granted to the other three districts of Pampanga.

The cabalens are surely blinded of the larger picture behind the intentional and double purpose tangible development projects for their province, or should I blatantly call them bribes?
Saying that public service is “emblazoned” on her DNA or genetic fingerprint is a clear exaggeration of her desire to stay in power. Besides, what’s the sense of anyone-has-a-leader-potential concept doing?

For decency’s sake, Mrs. President should not run for a lower position.

For the sake of the majority of Filipinos, the game must end for her on June 30, 2010.

No one knows if the lower dose of her that will soon be administered can be therapeutic. Worst, it could be lethal.