In my column today, I tried my hand at reading public opinion on graft and corruption under GMA — and why more people haven’t taken to the streets. (I actually did the reading last Thursday, before the Rotary Club of Manila, on the same day as the Trillanes caper.)
I sifted through the findings of three surveys, but essentially the attempt is a meditation on the latest (October 2007) Pulse Asia poll. These findings, in particular:
(Please click on the images to enlarge them.)
The conclusion I reached (and of course I am aware I could have gotten things fundamentally wrong) suggests that Ping Lacson’s latest attempt to disclose another corruption scandal still won’t force people out into the streets.
The lesson for regime-changers: Corruption scandals do not prematurely bring down an administration, but proof of something else entirely — brazen fraud, gross impunity, lewd dancing in the halls of the Senate.
This also suggests that suspending the high-profile Senate hearings on the ZTE case, where revelations not only of corruption but of obvious duplicity or gross arrogance were a real possibility, was a strategic mistake on the part of the opposition.
What do you think? More to the point, what kind of brazenness, similar to the “na-onse tayo” vote on the second Velarde envelope, would set the streets on fire?
December 5th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Siguro nga ilan na lang ang kulang na elemento para mapatalsik si GMA, at ito ay “WHO WILL REPLACE GMA” kung sakaling mapatalsik siya di ba.
It seems ready na ang lahat, CIVIL SOCIETY, MILITARY, CHURCH at iba pang grupo, kaya lang di matuloy walang GOOD CHOICE, pero sana huwag nating kalimutang lahat na si isang FAKE PRESIDENT ang dahilan ng pagkawala ng CREDIBILITY ng bansa, plus her allies at the CONGRESS na tuloy tuloy sa pagtanggap ng mga biyaya. (so the party-dancing - at the congress continues)
So I agree with BOPOLS, oppositions show somebody who can lead the country. Kung wala pa kayong naiisip, let me suggsest, FR. JOAQUIN BERNAS, constitutionalist at pari di ba, (kung papayag), itsek na lang natin performance ni father panlilio sa pampanga di ba nagulo ang mga demonyo sa politics ng pasukan ng isang pari (ha ha ha).
so birong totoo, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, for President ng Transition Government tapos saka uli bumoto ang tao, siguro naman kahit paano matututo na tayo at makakapaglagay ng mga credible government officials during the transition.
so we dare the religious leaders out there, lumabas na kayo sa sutana nyo, nakakasuka na ang gobyernong ito, MAKE A CHOICE FROM YOUR GROUP, para matapos na ang pagsasaya at party sa congress sa dami ng perang bumabaha ngayon doon
December 5th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
a scandal and controversy ridden administration does not prelude to the withdrawal of support from the masses. in most cases if the current sitting administration happens to be preceded by a scandal and controversy ridden administration also. this negate the notion of the public from supporting another leadership change in the malacanang. for the many reason a deep cultural embeded attitude system — pride. not a single public official would naturally admitted mistake in supporting such moves and justifying a change in leadership was necessary then later on would backtracked because of difference.
in some instance take the case of former vice president teofisto guingona who was once a closes ally of president arroyo and who supported the later but had a fall-out that started on the visiting forces agreement with the united states because of his patriotic views. in the succeeding events ironically he was now identified in the camp of former president estrada whom he accussed of illegally pocketing kickbacks that eventually lead to estrada’s removal from malacanang. not a single public appeareances did the former vice president had acknowledge his mistake in supporting president arroyo and removing former president estrada from malacanang.
the three branches of the goverment are created so there would have a system of check balance. apparently privilege speech has been a launching pad of tirades. in the course of aid in legislation this has been abuse because of loopholes in the privileges speech one is entitle to at. tirade but lacking in key evidence does not gain the general support of the public, moreover if one would backtracked later on. thus loosing public interests and support.
December 5th, 2007 at 11:55 am
MC_90
huwag din sana sa opposition manggaling ang sususnod na liderato………
don’t choos between two evils……….
lalo na si hotel hopping king……..
December 5th, 2007 at 11:49 am
MC_90
huwag kang mangamba sa pagpapalit ng liderato, basta maayos lang na maiisasalin………..
December 5th, 2007 at 9:40 am
scorpio1104
Equally important for a regime change is the credibility of the person who will takeover the palace. The opposition is perceived to be equally corrupt and its rooster of presidentiables are balimbings and trapos to the core. The scenario of Sen. Lacson or Mayor Jojo Binay becoming President is enough to discouraged the middle class in joining another people power.
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How about, Legarda/Chiz/Trillanes? They’re my choice for President vice President.