Situation in Philippines different from Thailand

A group of senators led by their Senate President Franklin Drilon has launched a campaign aimed at forcing President Arroyo to follow the footsteps of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who decided to step down amidst allegations of corruption. It follows that now that he has stepped down, the allegations against him should be fully investigated and if they are found to be true, he should be charged in court. Frankly, we don’t see the connection between President Gloria Macapagal’s situation and that of Prime Minister Thaksin. Minister Thaksin was appointed into his position by the King of Thailand and he had been asked to resign by the same King who appointed him. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was duly elected by the people and we don’t see what right the Senate has to ask her to step down. The only Constitutional way to get President Arroyo out of Malacañang is by having her impeached. To ask her to voluntarily relinquish her position is what folks call suntok sa buwan, striking a blow at the moon.

There were a series of demonstrations demanding that GMA voluntarily step down from her position as President. The demonstrations died a natural death, first, because it was premised on the wrong assumption that she won by cheating in the last elections. As we have said before, there may have been cheating in the last elections but, first, it was by both sides; second, far from the extent that could have altered the true results of the elections. Legally, the only person that can question the results of an election is the loser. In this case, it would be academic because Fernando Poe Jr. died after the election.

We are a democratic country and we, therefore, should abide by our Constitution. President Arroyo was duly elected by the people and should therefore serve her full term in office. People, of course, are not violating the law when they ask that she voluntarily step down from the presidency. But there is no way they can enforce that demand. If they force her, then it is not a voluntary act. Worse, it is no longer a democratic move that upholds our Constitution.

If there are charges against President Arroyo, the place to bring them is in the proper court. People should stop asking her to follow the footsteps of Thaksin. The situation in the Philippines is totally different from Thailand. What must prevail must be our Constitution. It should be the determinant force that will decide whether President Arroyo should remain in power or not.

We believe the country is doing fairly well. People who want change should work for the changes they want. But they have to abide by the results of the elections. President Arroyo is our duly elected President.