What's behind GMA's latest caper?

as it aYou know what, even the traditionally national pastime for gambling among Filipinos, has seemingly paled in intensity compared to politics. Though still prevalent as ever, gambling is doggedly overtaken by the more passionate pastime for politics.

As a rule, gambling is indulged in by men – seldom by some women, say, in lotto and mahjong – and customarily held on Sundays, holidays, and “fiestas”. But the tentacles of politics are pervasively sucking all sexes and ages, regardless of educational or cultural background, and popular in all seasons. Definitely, in the Philippines, politics has evolved into a vicious pastime that spans all-year long, not only during election periods.

Moreover, while it used to be an exclusive domain of the educated and the professionals – the candidates as well as the supporters – now even the illiterates and near illiterates have the nerve, yeah, the guts to assert their opinions authoritatively. The fact alone that illiterates have the right of suffrage speaks volumes for their aggressiveness in politics.

In a small archipelago like the Philippines, when but now have there been 99 Filipinos – recall the colloquial 99 as “kuwang-kuwang sa hustong pangutok” – vying for the presidency? Imagine, of the 99 ambitious contenders, only a handful are “legitimate” or “bonafide” candidates; and so, is the greater number within the ambit of “99” in sanity?

With the lesser 20 vice-president wannabes and 158 senatorial aspirants for the 12 senatorial slots, such figures don’t also mean civic awareness as deeper motivation for their running.

In the local level, the over-enthusiasm for politics – whether as candidates, leaders, or as followers/voters per se – lands in media nationwide as a litany of candidates for local positions in practically all representative districts and all LGUs from governor down the bottom councilors.

In Cebu City as a typical example, the same passion for politics is shown by 13 mayoral candidates, 8 for vice-mayor and 69 for city councilors, and 14 for only two congressional districts. In fact, replicate the same passion in other LGUs nationwide which unfolds this increasing political interest, nay, greed for whatever power.

No less than the out-going President herself has unbecomingly led the nation in the mania, to perpetuate herself in power. Indeed, there’s truth to that commercial ad that says, once tasted always wanted. Definitely, there’s no position of authority in the Philippines that could approximate the power that its President wields, but then, why has PGMA opted to run for a much lesser power position of congresswoman?

To quote Senator Joker Arroyo, it’s “very demeaning” for PGMA to seek a post lower than the presidency. And yet, much later, Senator Joker wavers in his stand and, after all, seems to find nothing wrong with GMA’s latest caper.

One conjecture is for GMA who is a perceived no-contest winner in the 2nd district of Pampanga, to work for the post of Speaker; and then also exert influence in going ahead of Cha-Cha leading to the position of prime minister in a parliamentary government. If true indeed, the little lady must have a very scheming and overly ambitious mind.

Another conjecture is that PGMA isn’t ready to divest herself totally of power to retire from politics as ex-president. The lesser power of congressional member may suffice to maintain a “continuing connection” with other members of Congress, rather than a total cut-off as a retiree. Moreover, such “continuing connection” may come in handy and useful in fighting against whatever charges that might come during her retirement, or immunity from suit.

There’s the final opinion that GMA’s running for Congress is an inevitable momentum or inertia engendered in her long political career. To politicians whose lifestyle has long been habituated, the fever of politics and its inertia of power can not just be flicked off.

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