ALL right. The Comelec has yet to proclaim the winners yet — largely due to the interference of TEAM Unity — but I think it’s safe to say that Genuine Opposition candidates are going to get most of the 12 seats up for grabs in the Senate. 7-3-2 (GO-TU-independent) the last time I checked.
Now what?
I don’t know.
What I do know is that, barring some miraculous turn of events, impeachment is not going to happen. The Congress is unquestionably Arroyo’s; though there are congressmen who oppose her, notably the representatives of party-lists like Bayan Muna and Anakpawis, the grim truth is that they are the minority. Not to mention the fact that Arroyo’s allies in the Congress have demonstrated time and again a lack of delicadeza. They’re not going to shy away from employing underhanded tactics or bulldozing through all opposition (regardless of how legitimate the dissent is) to get what they want.
Which means that though the Senate would probably vote to impeach Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a trial, the Congress would never let the impeachment case reach the Senate in the first place.
Charter change?
Well, the entire country saw what happened the last time Congress tried shoving that down our throats. Every major faction — the opposition, the activists, the Church, etc. — made its opposition to Cha-cha known, and its proponents hastily backed down. But I seriously doubt that’s the end of that. Cha-cha continues to lurk in the background, waiting for a chance to reenter the political scene.
Unfortunately, there’s not much the Senate can do if or when Congress decides to revive the issue. Besides complaining on national television, that is. That worked last time, helping to sway public opinion against the initiative and the proposed Constitutional Assembly, but Filipinos are quick to forget. They can forget, for example, that a candidate who once hated Erap enough to cry is now hand in hand with him in election ads. They can forget all the reasons they didn’t like Cha-cha and become swayed by the propaganda of the administration.
As I said, I don’t have all the answers. No crystal ball wherein the future reveals itself to me. But I have to hope that GO accomplishes something besides proclaiming their disgust at the current administration, and plotting its demise. The 2007 elections are behind us — now we must hope we voted the right people into their positions.
June 1st, 2007 at 8:21 pm
I expect the opposition to immediately file another impeachement against PGMA at the opening of Congress. It is the overwhelming sentiment of the people and the OFW as expressed in the last ele ction and the hell with the economy. I dont care if the peso plunged to 70 or even 100 next year as long as the clamor of the people is satisfied.
June 1st, 2007 at 6:27 pm
KABAYAN:
I hope GOs main mission would be a fiscalizer and a team devoted to exposing, stamping out corruption and abuse of power in government. If at the very least they can do that, they have already achieved A LOT!
shroud:
Kabayan, since they have started this, they should first do this to Erap as an example. Erap has been branded as corrupt which caused his impeachment. If they will successful in giving the right sanctions and prove this then it will be a great achievement, the case has been lying for years. If proven guilty then they should impose the necessary sanctions.
But then again, why would you bite the hands that feeds you?
Remember, Loren even cried in media during the trial because of the envelope that the opposition(Erap’s ex senators) does not want to open the envelope which is unfair to the filipino people.
Trillanes, who’s mutiny’s main message is against corruption, but at which camp is he now?
June 1st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
TONIO ..please write BAILIWICK.
Ay naku, kung magdominate nga lahat ng GO, sigurado ba tayo na uunlad?
I’m sure they will be having intellectual debate again sa senate which could make our system bad or should i say “bulok” na sistema.
Let’s wait and see kung nao nga mangyayari, hindi na tayo nadala sa mga una pang elections na nangyari. Did our country improve?
June 1st, 2007 at 12:37 pm
To All:
Let’s respect the vote of our fellow filipinos. If GO is leading then let’s support them. Let’s hope the GO will create more laws to empower the people than create more political instability in this country. Let’s try to see if their LOUD mouths is as equal as how good they will perform in the senate.
To Salina:
Since almost all of the posts here constitutes you to be an advocator for GO, I would just hope that when GO will do more damage to this country and create more uncertainties in our economy, you and other people with you will hold yourselves responsible for it(since you bestowed them their political powers) and will grow more mature enough to analyse the situation.
Beleif in one’s ideas is a good thing, but it would be better if you would think before you believe in the TRUTHS you are talking about.
To Admin:
The posts here are good opinions, it would be best if the coming senatoriables can read this, this might help them course our country to a better one.Opinions are best effective if it can change them and let them realize that their are a lot of people that still hopes for their good and responsible leadership.
June 1st, 2007 at 10:41 am
TO MBM
So what would you suggest in place of E-Vat?