GMA should stay put, we should be ruled by law

We’re glad that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo enjoys the support of the great majority of Metro Manila mayors plus the highest organization of active and retired soldiers and policemen, Guardians International. Church authorities have pointed out that under the present situation, the country has only three futures. We continue with the status quo, impeach the president or force her to resign. We believe that the status quo is the best option for the country. We are a democratic country and the rule of law should prevail.

There is an impeachment complaint filed by Oliver Lozano in the House of Representatives. It is up to the House to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support the complaint. Lozano has said that he will withdraw said complaint if the opposition files a stronger complaint. Under our Constitution, only one impeachment case can be filed against an impeachable official within a one-year period. So Lozano’s complaint precludes other people from filing a second impeachment case against Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo. Let us see what happens to Lozano’s impeachment complaint.

In the meantime, there are groups that are asking the President to resign. This is something that Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo will never do. As another Arroyo said (meaning Sen. Joker Arroyo), "She will not resign. Once she resigns, she loses her immunity from prosecution. Then charges can be filed against her and she could go to jail. So how then do you expect her to resign?"

Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo will not resign, not because she will lose her immunity but because there is absolutely no reason for her to resign. If there is cause to remove her from office, then let her accusers support the impeachment case against her. Minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. believes that an impeachment case cannot prosper as Malacañang controls both houses of Congress.

So the only plausible option is the maintenance of the status quo. We must support our duly-elected officials. That is what democracy is all about. The very worst thing that can happen is another People Power revolution. That would convert us to a banana republic, better still, a camote republic. There is absolutely no reason to impeach or to demand for Gloria’s resignation. She was duly-elected by the people and now abides by the people’s mandate by a determination to serve her full term. If she has not kept her oath of office, then, let her be impeached. But the way we see it, she has been serving her term with the dignity and efficiency that her office demands. The future of the country is in her hands. We owe her our support. If the opposition rejects all or part of her programs, then let them suggest better alternatives. But let us stop blaming her for all our country’s problems. We should be solution-oriented, not blame-oriented. United, we stand; divided, we fall.