Why do people turn anti-GMA?

At a very early age, GMA showed signs of being bullheaded. At a young age of four, she already went against her mother by living away in Iligan with her maternal grandmother simply because she was jealous of her younger brother Diosdado "Buboy" Macapagal Jr. That early, one could already sense the kind of steely character she would have. But the seeming general feeling the public has about GMA is that she is insincere. Her "I am sorry" television statement was the biggest disaster of her presidency in terms of image. Whoever advised her to do that should be hanged by his or her toenails.

Her katarayan is one characteristic she can hardly hide. I happen to personally believe though, this is something she could use to her advantage. Her impatience could make things happen because being president — this kind of temperament is multiplied a hundred times. But people, especially those working or have worked with her, take this katarayan in a different way. One of them is Tito Guingona, who has intimated on many occasions that he had never really forgiven GMA for the insults and the humiliation that he used to suffer from her during Cabinet meetings particularly when he opposed the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Mutual Logistical Support Agreement (MLSA). Being an Atenean and an idealist (what a combination), Tito clearly felt that the country should not have given in to whatever the Americans wanted. Effectively, he said we lost the leverage for a quid pro quo on the negotiation table. Guingona had also complained on several occasions about the meddling of GMA’s presidential adviser Roberto Romulo on matters concerning foreign affairs – especially when it came to the appointment of ambassadors. Tito Guingona is a true nationalist but there’s no question he has kept a personal grudge against GMA to this day.

Dinky Soliman was reportedly the closest Cabinet secretary to GMA. They say she spent a lot of time on woman-to-woman conversations with GMA. But to the surprise of many, Dinky Soliman resigned and called her "evil." Some of the other Cabinet secretaries outside of the Hyatt 10 who also resigned and left on bad terms were Lito Camacho and Cito Lorenzo. It seems that a bitter falling out is the norm for most of the people who left the Cabinet. A former in-law described GMA as "Ibang klase talaga!"

So the question is, why do people bitterly turn against her? Perhaps it’s the perception they have that she is arrogant and insincere. This is a country where people put a lot of weight on perceptions and personality. Oftentimes, it is not competence that counts but the ability to project a certain image that would sell to the people. GMA’s image-makers tried to project her in so many ways right after she was catapulted to the Presidency. First, there was the toughie image with "Isang bala ka lang." Then she became "Ina ng Bayan" softening it with the "Ate Glo" image. All these confused everyone and ultimately created the perception that she was insincere and was trying to be what she wasn’t. She could have avoided this "insincere" perception if she had just remained herself.

To many, she has always played too much politics and tries to please people only when it is convenient. For example, former Insurance Commissioner Ben Santos was unceremoniously relieved from his position because of a political payback. He now counts among those former GMA functionaries who feel that they got the raw end of the deal when all they wanted was to do the job and help her make the necessary reforms. You can now bet he has joined the ranks of the anti-GMA crowd.

But on the other side of the coin, people who are close to her say that GMA is different from what the public perceives. Sally Villaraza – one of GMA’s closest friends – told me GMA is a good friend and that her seeming aloofness comes from her desire to retain her own space and privacy. "GMA is a stickler for protocol, which is natural for the daughter of a president because she grew up that way. As a mother and wife, I saw how, when I traveled with her, she would care for her family and personally do things for them just like any other wife or mother," she disclosed to me. Another close friend of GMA is Cynthia Carreon, a former Assumption classmate, personal trainer, and confidante. Cynthia truly believes GMA is really sincere about what she wants to do for the country. Being a devout Catholic, GMA has strong faith in God and truly believes that she was put there by Divine Providence. GMA wants to make history and definitely not become part of history – at least not yet.

The latest IBON Foundation survey claiming that GMA’s performance rating is down to -74.7 percent has been received with a lot of skepticism. The fact is there are many who are still willing to give GMA a chance to do what is right. And this even includes some moderate Opposition members. It’s more like 50-50 where half of the people still believe that there is really no alternative to her. Joseph Estrada was a charming and charismatic man but was removed from office. Ferdinand Marcos was a strong and intelligent leader but he, too, was booted out. So perhaps Divine Providence has kept GMA there. Maybe divine intervention is giving her the chance to do what is right for this country. There are still a lot of people who are hoping for that to happen.

Every president starts out with a vision of what he or she can do for this country. GMA, I am sure, has a vision for this country. But she should be guided by a true and accurate compass and do what is right to steer this country forward. Despite the Opposition’s clamor to oust her, it is clear there is no real bandwagon for another People Power. Plainly, people are just tired of it. The recent statements of the leaders of Iglesia ni Kristo and El Shaddai to stop "political bickering" most likely represent the sentiment of the silent majority in this country. People just want to see some light at the end of the tunnel. If she follows her true bearings and stays the course, perhaps we will see that light. If that happens, then indeed she will make history instead of becoming a mere footnote.

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