Elections next year? No doubt about it!

The Council of State, or whatever that Palace meeting should properly be called, was right to reject the very idea that next year’s scheduled elections be "postponed" as part of a transition to a "parliamentary" government.

To begin with, there does not seem to be a stampede on the part of either Congress (both Houses, I mean), nor our people, to reinvent our present crickety system into that miraculous instant "cure" being proffered, a parliamentary form of government. The law mandates that elections be held in 2007 – so let them rip!

Once more with emphasis: Filipinos love elections, even if flawed. Every election time, the forgotten get remembered. Some money even trickles down to the masa and the peasantry in remote barrios, the circus comes to town to enliven life in the dullness of our countryside – y’know, candidates with elaborate promises, tagging along stars and starlets, singers, dancers, and plenty of hoopla. Free t-shirts, pens, sacks of rice, corn, food items and other goodies are distributed. And to top this all, the people are even allowed to vote! (Part of the trickle-down, we eternally hope in vain, will not be cash in payment for ballots).

Postpone or cancel the 2007 elections? Perish the thought! Democracy, or what we call democracy, must march on!

The good news that emerged from Malacañang the same day is that just-retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., has been appointed Presidential Adviser on Electoral Reforms. Now, the item of "Presidential Adviser" while it carries Cabinet rank, has been devalued during the GMA Administration by having been distributed willy-nilly like candy bars to every Tomas, Dick and Kulasa (even Roberto). It no longer looks good, even on calling cards – but, at times, subrosa elicits a loud guffaw.

Sanamagan, I’m not even speaking of body language but of actual statement when La Gloria disclosed her choice of Davide by stating he would "shepherd . . . electoral reforms." By gosh, if she doesn’t give Shepherd Davide a big enough stick, or club, with which to bash the Commission on Elections commissioners, what reforms is the President talking about? Of course, a reform of the Comelec – and the dismissal of certain Commissioners (thank goodness, Garci’s already "gone") – are long overdue. But how can we fire Comelec commissioners without "impeaching" them – a lengthy if not impossible process? Not even Davide’s experience, zeal and judiciousness may be up to this conundrum.

We’re depending on Davide being tough and "finding" a solution. After all, he knows the in’s and out’s of the Comelec, having been Comelec Chairman from February 1988 to January 1990. But why did he not succeed in "reforming" the Comelec then, when, at least in name, he was at its helm? How can he do so now if his current title is just that of "Presidential adviser"? I back Davide to the hilt. But it still goes back to La Presidenta, who must heed and act on his "advice."

Reform the Comelec? You bet. What’s the sense of holding elections, many will say, if the same old, crooked Comelec "counts" the ballots? What we need is half a dozen phone calls, not "Hello Garci," but "Goodbye, you corrupt Comelec commissioners!" This promises, alas, to be a long goodbye. For GMA, thus far, hasn’t demonstrated the backbone and will to enforce reforms, or find a way to kick out rascals. She remains a "transactional President," continuing to desperately "transact" deals to ensure her survival until the end of her term in 2010.

Her critics and detractors, those who wish to topple her or force her to resign, sneeringly call her "Ate Glue." I wish this were true. Glue is strong. It sticks to the mast and won’t be budged. (Remember the declaration: "I nail my flag to the mast on this issue!") If nails are in short supply, strong "glue" will do the job.

But Ate Glo simply wants to "glow", not stick to her guns and her principles like glue. Fireflies and glow-worms simply glow and accomplish nothing. It’s time GMA took on the challenge of her critics and foes, and stayed glued and consistent to what the both the glory and burden of the Presidency requires: Leadership, strength of conviction, courage under fire, and steadfastness, come what may!

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, pelted and harassed though she is, has been gifted by the people with the highest post ever given a Filipino (no matter whether her enemies and rivals claim she "cheated").

She must not waste this opportunity to serve the people – by giving her all.

* * *

It’s not enough for the President and Commander-in-Chief to hail Philippine Air Force Capt. Aniano Amatong Jr. as a hero. While urging his co-pilot, Capt. James Acosta to eject and save himself, Amatong stayed at the controls of the OV-10 "Bronco" which was crashing in an attempt to steer the doomed aircraft away from a populated area in Paombong. The twin-engined bomber had taken off from Sangley air base in Cavite, enroute to Basa (Clark Field) in Pampanga, but developed engine "trouble" midway to its destination. In sum, the late Captain sacrificed his life to save those of civilians on the ground.

It’s time, we say for the hundredth time, we gave our pilots better and much-newer aircraft, instead of the rambling wrecks – virtual "widow-makers" – our PAF aviators are forced to fly. Those OV-10s belong to a long-past era. They served well for decades as close air-support for our troops fighting on the ground. Why, it was an OV-10 which even bombed Malacañang when the December 1989 coup attempt was underway, the last gasp of the rebel RAM-SFP-YOU putschists who narrowly failed in overthrowing the Cory government. However, those Broncos are so ancient that they’re not even carried in the books of "modern aircraft." So are the S-211 Agusta jet trainers which crash with such regularity that our PAF is being depleted at an alarming rate, even when no shot is fired at our PAF men and women in anger, or by accident.

Our PAF aircraft are simply "accidents" waiting to happen – and when it comes to jets, very shortly we’ll have none. Yet, this is an old and hoary complaint. The persistent whine and excuse: "We don’t have the money."

Gadzooks – an Air Force without planes, a Navy without ships, an Army short of ammunition, good boots, bulletproof vests, and modern weapons! Maybe that’s why there’s still no "coup." But wait. Our armed forces are steaming with resentment at this unprofessionalism, chronic corruption – and neglect.

If GMA and the politicians don’t take heed, boots on the ground (as the military expression goes), may turn into boots in their faces. I kid thee not. In the movie, Stealth, an officer puts his gun to his own head to demonstrate "the difference between politicians and warriors." Engaged in their petty political wars, our politicians must not overlook the fact that our "warriors," the ones with real guns in the real army (not those ragtag warlords’ bullies) are discontented. They’re sent into combat without the right combat gear, and no night-flying helicopters are available to pluck them out of the field of combat, when they’re bleeding to death in the darkness from wounds contracted on the battlefield. Soldiers are the same everywhere: they’ll fight and die for their country – until and unless the country lets them down.

* * *

A week ago, I proposed in this corner what looked like an outrageous idea: that GMA and her government create a P100 billion one-time-only budget so we can beef up our military, provide our troops with the most modern equipment, weaponry, gear – retrain and recruit – then turn them loose on the NPAs and other rebels. Starving our armed forces on a measly P5 billion per year budget (much of it in salaries and pensions) simply compels our troops to limp along, continually being ambushed or blasted by a guerrilla foe.

Now, a P100 billion instant injection would transform our AFP (and this includes upgrading aircraft) into a credible, armored fist, its morale uplifted, its combat skills enhanced. Where to get the money? That’s where imagination and verve come in.

It seems ridiculous, I know, to re-propose that P100 billion budget for a military which some of whose elements might, conceivably, be poised to "mutiny" against La Presidenta. But this is precisely what may ensure loyalty and blunt the whisperings and intriguing of the conspirators now actively moving through the camps.

The announcement that the President will appoint 54 "new generals" is a laugh. Naturally, officers will be promoted to general to replace the many who are retiring. But the timing of the Palace announcement smacks of cheap bribery. This, sad to say, is the bane of the current dispensation: cheap gimmickry, when sincerity and patriotism – costing much less, and reaping much more – will be far more effecting, and long-lasting. Let that flag wave, but make sure it’s hoisted by a steady hand, and with firm national purpose.

The soldiers of our country yearn for true leadership, not the distribution of lollipops.

* * *

THE ROVING EYE . . . The guessing game will soon be on as to who will become the next Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff. General Generoso Senga, who was born in Calumpang, Marikina, on July 21, 1950, and comes from Philippine Military Academy Class 1972, will be retiring next July 21. The consensus in informed quarters, including the higher ranks, is that Senga will not be extended . . . The conviction some months ago of former military comptroller, Gen. Carlos Garcia, did not solve the problem of corruption in our armed forces. It reinforced the suspicion – more than suspicion, in fact – that bigger brass, were in on the bonanza. After all, Garcia was a mere comptroller. The big boys threw him to the wolves to appease the indignant clamor – and save themselves. But will Garcia really get punished? His case has vanished from sight. The gravy train chugs on. Two ranking generals, my US sources say, have substantial bank accounts in the United States. After 9/11, these bozos forgot, you can’t salt away your money or conceal your stash in America. Every transfer of money is scrutinized since money-laundering is a ready tool in the financing of terrorism. Who blew the whistle on Garcia and family? Why, the Americans, of course. Hong Kong is no longer safe, as well. The Chinese, in a spirit of cooperation, "tell" on you. Don’t kid yourselves that military Messiahs, if they succeed and seize power, will do any better. They’ll be gilding their nests like all the rest. Madam Roland, as the tumbrils rolled their victims to the Guillotine in Paris, exclaimed: "Liberty, O Liberty! What crimes are committed in thy name!" What crimes are they proposing to commit in the act of "liberating" our people from Ate Glue and company? George Bernard Shaw in his 1899 play, Caesar and Cleopatra put it well: "When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always declares that it is his duty."