Who would have known that Cory Aquino would call for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's resignation Friday? Who would have known that on the same Friday, 10 Cabinet Members would also ask for GMA's resignation this morning? Who would have known that the call for GMA's resignation would snowball across sectors, across classes, across affiliations?
Will GMA insist on being President? Will she take up residence in the South, particularly in Cebu? Will Malacañang in the South now be her official base?
Last Thursday's events were ominous.
Photos of GMA being surrounded by loyalist military officials and local government officials brought back unpleasant memories of the former dictator Marcos in similar circumstances. Just before his downfall, there was a scramble to show a very united, loyal front before the Filipino people amid all indicators that the Filipino people no longer recognized Marcos as their President.
The late evening radio broadcast of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announcing her sudden decision to have all the cabinet officials resign raised the suspicion that something important was brewing. Why was she making her announcement over radio, at that late hour?
The resignation of the 10 Cabinet Members Friday morning confirmed that GMA's late evening radio broadcast was indeed a preemptive move on her part. These were not just your ordinary cabinet members. Many of the 10 are highly respected and true public servants of our people. Through their spokesperson, former Finance Secretary Purisima, they admitted that as early as Tuesday, they have told GMA that they were resigning. What surprised the nation was their courageous act calling GMA to resign.
The Church, through the CBCP, will soon be issuing their stand about this crisis. At the very least, we anticipate like the CEAP, they will ask Madam Arroyo to listen to her conscience and do what is best for the nation, for the Lord. The CBCP may also, like the 10 Cabinet officials and Cory Aquino, call for GMA's resignation.
Business groups have also asked for GMA's resignation. Others are waiting for GMA to voluntarily make the decision to resign.
In the coming days, our country will witness the movement to either affirm for or withdraw loyalty from GMA. Expect rallies and the swelling of people out in the streets all throughout.
And what of Cebu? Will the split of Cebu finally be reflected in the great divide between the Cebuano leaders and the people?
And what of our people? Especially the poor. In the midst of all this political turmoil, who will take care of their needs?
GMA says she will, with her new cabinet. She continues to want to stay in power despite her lapse in judgment. Will the people still listen to her? Can't she hear the cries for her to resign? Can't she recall how history and religion judged Pontius Pilate who made his crucial lapse of judgment that condemned the Lord to the cross?
There are other contending groups and personalities that are claiming they will be responsible leaders of our people. There are emergent alternatives being presented to the nation after GMA resigns or is impeached or voluntarily steps down or goes on leave like her Congressperson son or go on exile, like her husband.
Consider these alternative scenarios. Vice President Noli de Castro succeeds GMA, our constitution is changed, a junta or a transitional revolutionary government takes over.
What next after GMA? The whole nation awaits the historical unfolding of change. We join the call for God to take over, in His way, in His time.