Why do they take GMA for a wimp? - GOTCHA by Jarius Bondoc

Tuesday, 23 Jan.: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s first staff meeting as President. Time to get down to serious business of running a government, after a heady weekend that saw her rise through People Power, followed by headier congratulatory offers. First item on agenda: PNP officer-in-charge Leandro Mendoza was unacceptable to anticrime crusaders. "He’s only OIC," Arroyo shrugged, "replace him with the other guy on the list, Reynaldo Wycoco." Executive Secretary Renato de Villa cut her off, "You can’t appoint somebody, then take it back. Do you want to look like a wimp?" The others in the room were too stunned by De Villa’s outburst to remember that, as one-time AFP chief, he was himself often criticized as indecisive, a trait that earned him the nickname Teka-Teka (Wait, wait).

At the other side of town, Senate President Nene Pimentel was also sizing up the diminutive woman. In the midst of coup rumors, he said that deposed President Joseph Estrada was a danger to society and must thus be exiled. Estrada still holds secret billions he supposedly stole. Politicians expect him to rally back his consistent 18-percent popularity and upset the forthcoming congressional and local elections. He has the charisma, while Arroyo had rated a damning negative-39 percent in the last survey carried out just days before People Power-2. By offering Estrada exile, Pimentel in effect was saying that Arroyo would prove no match in case of a political showdown.

The twin incidents at Malacanang and the Senate reflect a cynicism that lingers in the minds of People Power participants. On one hand, civil society and business groups are questioning the appointment process of new officials like De Villa. On the other, they’re crying for law enforcement, not sly political solutions, against Estrada and his fleeing cronies. In sum, they want Arroyo to stick to the ideals raised at EDSA-Part 2 – justice and good governance.

Justice, they believe, is prosecuting Estrada for bribery and graft, and confiscating his ill-gotten wealth. Plunder – theft of at least P50 million – is a nonbailable offense that calls for lethal injection. Yet justice’s wheels are turning as slowly as ever. The BIR has frozen Estrada’s peso deposits in Citibank-Greenhills in San Juan. But the Bangko Sentral has cautioned that no law allows any government agency to do likewise with his foreign-currency deposit of $3 million. Prosecutors of his impeachment case have discovered several billions of pesos more in at least nine other banks under Estrada aliases Jose Velarde, Jose Marcelo, Kevin Garcia and Jose Rizalista Marcelo. In addition are supposed "airline accounts", from which Estrada can withdraw cash just by using Boeing codes like 737 or 747, and Airbus codes like 300 or 301. If only to answer for these, sectoral Rep. Etta Rosales says, "We should find a way to have him arrested." Teddy Casino of Bayan adds that "allowing Estrada’s exile would be a reversal of People Power-2, as it would repeat the sad mistake of letting an ousted leader go scot free." That Estrada can stir up trouble is beside the point. Says Robinson Montalba of Promotion of Church People’s Rights, "If his continued stay in the country poses a threat to the new administration, jailing him becomes all the more necessary." But Justice Secretary Hernando Perez has his own mind about it. Last Monday, he signed hold-departure orders on Estrada and 26 relatives and cronies. By Thursday, he was echoing Pimentel’s opinion that it might be better for Estrada to leave town.

It is such statements that raise the hackles of EDSA-2 participants, and join the issues of justice and good governance. Business groups and civil society define good governance as transparency, accountability, honesty, effectiveness, empowerment, participation and sustainability. They wonder why Perez flip-flopped on his initial strong stance to keep Estrada in Manila preparatory to arresting him. They also ask what deal Arroyo could have struck with the military that led to this week’s kid-gloves treatment of Estrada in exchange for the brass’ defection last Friday. From there, they demand to see the process of naming Cabinet members. More so since retired generals are siring to civilian positions of defense secretary, public works chief and national security adviser. It doesn’t help any that members of a three-man screening committee, later expanded to seven, are shaking their heads in dismay that only one out of five names in their list are getting appointed. Old pols are getting most of the positions, contrary to Arroyo’s inaugural promise to pack her Cabinet with young, new faces. It doesn’t help, too, that Arroyo in her first press conference Thursday, hinted that the appointment process is actually a system of political rewards. Responding to complaints about lack of transparency, she said, "They should be patient, many more positions are vacant, we have filled up only half of them."

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INTERACTION. Francisco Catibayan III, yahoo.com: I agree with you that, to realize genuine change, the youth should be given leadership positions in government. The older generations have failed us. The country needs today young idealists, dynamists, patriots. President GMA should take heed.

Juan Miguel Navarra, Fathers for Fidelity: We’re happy to have a new President, and wish she’d consider these traits in choosing Cabinet members: God-fearing, integrity, competence, service-oriented, chaste, ready to avoid sin.

Mon Sagullo, rsinform.com: Suggestions on how to keep the momentum of moral, political, social reforms: (1) Let PTV-4 cover unedited Senate and House sessions and hearings; (2) report daily Congress absentees; (3) televise selected Supreme Court hearings; (4) identify big-time smugglers that Ed Espiritu alluded to; (5) determine culpability of Erap lawyers who conspired to withhold the truth; (6) publish the real worth and assets of government officials at EDSA.

Del Burgos, San Jose, Ca.: How true, your line, "There is no healing without justice. Justice is the salve that will heal the nation’s wounds." Erap must be punished, along with relatives who took jueteng payola. Same with the 11 senators who quashed the truth. And the likes of Maceda, Ang, Dichaves, Tan, Co.

John Novosad, home.com: Working for many years now in RP as a senior executive, I have the highest respect for the work integrity and potention of individual Filipinos. Thus, I am always perplexed why, with so many talented people, RP never improved. The problem is corruption and greed. Interviewing our Filipino managers, I asked how long it would take to eliminate corruption. All of them said "never, it can’t be done."Astonished, I asked, "Why, are you not all honest?" They said, "We are, but corruption runs so deep, and the rich and politicians do not want it to change." You’re right. Unless we punish the crooks, RP will never make real progress.

Rhodora A. Gonzales: Please be informed that [email protected] is not Sen. Nikki Coseteng’s e-mail address. After your column last weekend, I have received a lot of mail for Sen. Coseteng. I’m the registered owner of this address. I’m a private-sector employee who’s not in any way connected with her.

I got the address from the Senate’s official directory, Rhodora. Talk about government incompetence.

Antonio S. Arevalo & Family, Somerset, NJ: For the second time, we missed being in the greatest Filipino invention, the peaceful Poeple Power Revolution. This time, though, we want to participate in nation-building. Should the government think of wiping out the budget deficit with, say, 10-year bonds, count us in as takers. We call on all Filipinos, wherever they may be, to help out.

Thank you, too, Fred Torres, Mang Dan, Sanzui, Megan Smith So, Ron Bruer, Alex Macauyag, Ruffy Salcon, Roland Stohner, Brod Dindy, Rodolfo Fermin, Irwin Jazmines, Ace Salenga, Dennis H. Goddard, Paul Briones, Manny Savoy, Leo Delgado, Joe Castro, Judy Chia, Lito de Leon, Johnny Depp, Joseph Sy, R. Anonuevo, Jun Adan, Oscar Llamera, Peter Ane, F.P. Palisoc, Orlando Gindin, Tony Serquina, Milou L. Pearcy, Tony Diaz, Tony Reyes, Meynardo Santos, Pimm DeRivera, Cesar Francisco, Jimmy Borja, Darth Nader, Lora Buerge, Terry of Syracuse;

Mildred Calingo, Daniel Cruz, Jay Mendiola, Mariel Reyes, Ramon Mayuga, Prof. Noel Morada, Ting Abordo, Aida Aguas, Etay Hilao, Ruth Castillo, Nar Font, Filemon Tanchoco, Romy Defaro, Gerry Delgado, Joe dela Cruz, Paul Dalde, Ariel Rabe, Jun Adan, Sam Aherrera, Arnel Doria, Lito de Leon, Jack Asug, Rene Tirol, Epi Espaldon, Ched Arzadon, Gerry Javellana, Gras Reyes, Mar Gatmaitan III, Chito dela Paz, Joel Jimenez, Jack Santos, Lydia Nabong, Do Ab, Jose Mercado, Dr. Rommel Balatbat, Ermelita dela Fuente, Thomas Morado, Jojo Almin;

Ding dela Cruz, Ferdie Sibal, Blaine Walker, Caroline V.M., John Diaz, Lito Matias, Sam Colinco Jr., Henry Estrada, Vivian Milam, Jose Mari T. Umali, Cely dela Cruz, Joe Roque, Bud Tomas, David Achacon, Amb. Hermenegildo C. Cruz, Jose Labrador, Paul Briones, Larry Smith, Efren Dayauon, Yvonne Caacbay, Jo Lumawig, Cynthia Obrero, Bernie Cruz Mendoza, Edgar Yu, A.C. Joaquin, Liza Rodriguez, Roberto Galang, Jorge Garcia, Cynthia Marisse Riedl, Johnny K. Sy, Marilyn Peterson, Jojo Taduran, Bebs Inocencio, Larry Valeriano, The Ousters Band.

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