Post-GMA scenario

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
2/24/2006



The struggle to write the post-GMA scenario is now being waged in the various fora of the forces engaged in the process of toppling the present illegitimate regime. Who shall decide the outcome? This or that group demands the right to name the transition caretaker, the process and in the configuration each proposes create the conditions for a certain self-serving outcome. But what gives any of these groups the right to decide? Is it by virtue of what power they contribute to add to the final blow that will topple the already teetering GMA regime, or by the economic or military might they wield? Every group seems to want to forget one factor – the sovereign will of the people.

There will be no resolution of the problems that created the GMA-demon in the first place if self-serving factions are the ones to decide on the post-Gloria scenario. That was what happened at Edsa Dos and after five years we see the catastrophe that it created, the wreck of the Rule of Law that ushered in the rule of greed and force. Modern electoral democracies were founded on the basis of the sovereign will of the people deciding in regular intervals who should govern based on a set of laws,, not just one faction or another. To right the wrongs stemming from the lawless acts of Edsa Dos, which even Cory Aquino and Tito Guingona have made mea culpa on, is to return the respect for this sovereign will of the people and apply the Rule of Law.

Only two electoral exercises in recent Philippine history are relevant in the present discussion: the first is the 2004 elections where the Comelec and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has demonstrably been shown to have cheated massively which should invalidate its results, and the second is the 1998 elections which is unquestionable in its validity given President Joseph E. Estrada’s 6-million margin over the closest rival candidate. The only possible true winner in the 2004 elections has passed away while President Joseph E. Estrada’s six-year term has been only in suspended animation, it is logical then that a return to the principle of the sovereign will of the people demands the restoration of President Estrada - ceremonially or politically to resume the operation of the Rule of Law.

Any other formula for the post-GMA scenario will only lead to a similar situation prevailing today, where the ruler or rulers will not have the mandate of the people. The Cory Aquino and Hyatt 10 “constitutional” scenario calling for the resignation of Gloria and Noli will never happen because the former is dead set on hanging on, while a Drilon transition takeover without a total revamp of the corrupt Comelec cannot produce any credible election. The Ping Lacson group proposes a Comelec clean-up with Drilon at the helms, but that clean-up itself would violate the fixed-terms of the top Comelec officials rendering this formula unconstitutional. The only way to stay consistent with constitutionality is to restore the Estrada presidency.

While it is understandable that the “power groups” the Inquirer described on its Thursday headline consisting of Cory Aquino and the Ayala business scions would want to move to end the crisis, what crisis can they resolve when they are part of the crisis themselves. Remember how Jaime Zobel de Ayala danced at Edsa Dos and subsequently got the benefit of increasing water rates by 800% under the Edsa Dos government of Gloria? While forces loyal to the principle of the sovereign will have accepted the tactical alliances with Cory Aquino’s forces to topple the illegitimate regime of Gloria, it does not mean anyone should forget the perfidy and avarice characterizing these elements.

For convenience, some may be eager to give up the restoration of the Estrada presidency; but there are many, many more who are loyal to the principle of the sovereign will. As significant a principle is the unifying leadership of President Joseph E. Estrada. The injustice done against him and his quiet humility in the face of oppression has been a major factor allowing the anti-GMA forces to revolve around him. If only all the other forces will yield to the fundamental political principle Estrada espouses, there should be ground for all these forces to cement the unity now evolving. That political principle is: the greatest good for the greatest number.

Resisting the idea of restoring of Estrada’s presidency is indefensible after the failure of the Edsa Dos option. The elite and “civil society” had their way and failed miserably, throwing the country from the frying pan to the fire; they have no right to set the conditions again. Estrada’s leadership, track record and character has withstood the test to time and adverse circumstance, it is time to give it due recognition and let him serve out the overwhelming mandate given him in 1998. Estrada has three-and-a-half years of his unfinished term.

Estrada has proven to be the most forgiving man, and only he can help the nation rise above all the vindictiveness and pain having known how it is to be oppressed and hopeless, he would not want this scourge to visit anyone else amongst his people. His second time around will devoted to ensuring justice and hope for all.

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