EDITORIAL - Growing discontent

Calling itself the National Transformation Council, a new multi-sectoral group has urged President Benigno Aquino III to step down amid various controversies tainting his administration.

In its "Cebu Declaration: Defining the first steps towards national transformation," the council said Aquino should immediately resign as he has already lost the moral ascendancy to lead the nation.

The council boasts of having respected personalities as leaders like Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles, Davao Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla and former senator Francisco "Kit" Tatad.

Of course, despite the growing clamor, the administration would never see any reason to budge as heeding calls for the president to resign is tantamount to suicide. On the contrary, it is even entertaining the thought of tinkering with the Constitution to open the door for Aquino's second term.

In fact, some quarters allied with the administration are now pushing for a Charter change to give the president a fresh mandate. In a full-page advertisement published in a national daily a few days ago, they argued that there's no other successor to the president than Aquino himself.          

But with the various controversies sweeping through almost every branch of his administration, the idea of extending Aquino's term would surely send a chill down the spine.

Aquino has been accused of blatant disregard of the Constitution over issues from PDAF to DAP to encroachment on the territory of the judiciary, charges that should have merited a day at an impeachment court.

Although he still continues to enjoy the trust and confidence from the business sector on account of the growing economy, the majority of the population does not just see any reason for him enjoying another term.

And the Cebu Declaration is just another move indicating the growing discontent over the abuse of power perpetrated by those in the administration.