The Ides of March in the summer of discontent
It is a pity that the PNoy presidency started with a bang and will most likely end with a sigh or a sob. He started with a very high popularity grade and will probable end his term with a negative approval rating. He brought in a lot of political strength with all the major political giants standing behind him. The Senate has been solidly behind him with Senator Frank Drilon ousting JPE from the Senate Presidency. The House also has been always behind him, with the tandem of Speaker Belmonte and Deputy Speaker Gonzales fully supporting all his legislative initiatives.
Today, many of the Senators are gradually distancing themselves from Malacañan. In fact, Senator Allan Peter Cayetano has withdrawn his sponsorship of the Bangsa Moro Basic Law. That was a big blow to the administration. Never mind the withdrawal of Senator JV Ejercito because, from the very start, he was never counted as an ally of Malacañan. But the others who have been silent are beginning to look at the administration with some coldness, and even irritation. Some members of the House are also on the verge of making crucial decisions about their political alignments.
In fairness to the President, we have to credit him for some successes in his anti-corruption crusade. He succeeded in impeaching the former Chief Justice, albeit many still believe today that Renato Corona was persecuted because of his Hacienda Luisita decision. P.Noy should be credited for putting in detention such big fishes as GMA, Senators JP Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla, but then again, these are the political rivals. How about the allies in the Senate and in the house who were tarnished by DAP and PDAP?
This government should be credited for putting Janet Napoles and Masbate Governor Lanete in detention. And also the charging against two congressmen for PDAP. But again and again, the president will be asked to explain why the priority of prosecution always targets the opposition? How about the Liberals who have also benefitted from pork barrel? How about cabinet members and line agency executives who acted as principals by direct participation and those who provided technical and administrative indispensable cooperation. The problem is selective justice, not justice for all.
With Mamasapano, the President's approval rating must have nose-dived. The people seem to fault the President for the mishandling of the operation, for by-passing the chain of command, for trusting a suspended PNP chief, instead of his own alter ego, the DILGD Secretary, and for his seeming failure to consider the feelings of the widows, the orphans and parents of the slain 44. He tried to make up with so many benefits and grants, even beyond the ordinary and the legally allowed. But it was too late.
Today, the people are angry. Poverty is on the rise. Crimes and terrorisms are on an upsurge. There will be a power crisis. Prices of goods are rising. The people are agitated. There are movements and alignment demanding for the ouster or resignation of the President. The horizon shows gloom and doom. And I can hear the tremors of the ides of March coming in this summer of discontent. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
- Latest
