Dear Madame GMA, (Part II)

 Did you get my letter last week? I hope you don’t mind that I shared it in my column (as I am sharing this one too). I’d like for people, most of whom have never had the privilege of meeting you, working for you, or actually knowing you, to have a glimpse of the other side of Gloria Arroyo – the woman they so hate, she whose blood they’re after.

 Ma’am, you know both economics and geography (a lethal combination) like no other person I know (although I must say Tita Winnie Monsod is another economist whose brilliance I bow to, whose integrity I try mighty hard to emulate). I’ve seen you knowledgably talk about places in the Philippines I’ve never even heard of, like these were as common as Q.C., Makati, Cebu (you even know how many kilometers a sea port or airport is from an obscure-sounding town, one that is virtually unheard of — I mean, who knows these things?). And being the seasoned politician you are, a social scientist of the highest order (having put to the test economic and political theories, taking into account geography and other allied sciences), I’m sure you have a sound understanding of the Philippine demographic. So why do Filipinos hate you so much?

 Why do people condemn you, ridicule you, have no pity for you like you’ve never done any good at all? Perhaps one of your biggest mistakes as president was your communications team; they were not able to penetrate the masses and speak in a language they would understand and appreciate.

 PNOY’s three-headed hydra on the other hand, though aptly called the miscommunications team by some critics, seems to have gotten it right when it comes to one thing: demonizing you (the favorite national punching bag, or the “Pambansang Bagsakan ng Kamao”) to veer attention away from the country’s tragic economic performance! After 34 quarters of uninterrupted economic growth under your leadership, the economy has decelerated for three consecutive quarters under PNOY (here’s hoping Christmas spending improves our performance for the fourth quarter), and Filipinos don’t seem to care? All we care about is judging KC and Piolo, declaring Midas gay, and of course, putting you in jail ASAP, or seeing your mug shots, or making fun of your Hannibal Lecter-looking head gear. Que horror!

 And what’s up with Conrado De Quiros? Did he fancy you in the 70s when you wore your ultra miniskirts and you made him “pa-asa” that’s why he wastes no time and talent to vilify you every chance he gets? I’m really curious, what’s the back story? Spill, Ma’am! Is it a case of hell hath no fury like a Conrado scorned?

 Again, this national hate, I so don’t get it — although I feel extremely lucky that at least in my circle, there are very few, if any, who actually condemn you. I wouldn’t feel comfortable having friends who enjoy judging others, condemning them to death, without even giving them the benefit of the doubt, the opportunity to explain, a chance at process. I believe they are the kind of people we should all steer clear from; these are people who can easily betray our trust, speak ill behind our backs, who won’t think twice kicking us while we’re down. 

 Then again, you were so far from perfect. Maybe some people saw you as the strict teacher who misbehaved (and we all hated the strict teacher!). So maybe this is really your karma like many say it is. Although my understanding of karma is that it’s cosmic — and what’s happening to you right now is anything but cosmic. It’s induced, it’s inflicted. It’s produced and controlled by an administration that I’m starting to regret I supported (and campaigned for) in 2010.

 Like I said Ma’am, I’m sorry, I’m not perfect. I should’ve been more rational versus emotional (maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was heartbroken then? LOL). What was I expecting from someone who had neither input nor output as a legislator? I was spellbound by Yellow Magic; I should’ve been wiser and channeled my inner geek: Green Lantern lore teaches that Yellow’s power is fear (and that’s exactly what they’ve been using!), and we all know what Master Yoda says about fear: “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” Anakin Skywalker the promising Jedi knight became the legendary villain Darth Vader because he chose the PATH of fear.

 But I hope you understand why I still wish him all the best as president, like I did you, because after all, his success is our success.

 Anyways, this is getting quite long and I have to get ready for a date. I’m not sure if I’ll be writing you a letter next week — not everything is about you, Ma’am! Joke. Hope all’s better!

 Your youngest appointee once upon a time,

Mike Lopez