Friday, July 01, 2005

failed gamble?

Thoughts on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's statement to the nation

Mga minamahal kong kababayan.
For the last several weeks, the issue of the tape recordings has spun out of control. Tonight, I want to set the record straight. You deserve an explanation from me, because you are the people I was elected to serve.

At last, President Arroyo breaks her silence on the wiretapping scandal. For 22 days she refused to comment on the tapes allegedly containing wiretapped conversations between the President and Comelec commissioner Garcilliano, now she appears on national television to address the issue.

As you recall, the election canvassing process was unnecessarily slow even after the election results were already in and the votes had been counted.
I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official.

So, she admits to speaking with a Comelec official, but does that confirm that it was her voice on the tapes? A lot of people seem to think so.

My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not. As I mentioned, the election has already been decided and the votes counted. And as you remember, the outcome had been predicted by every major public opinion poll, and adjudged free, fair and decisive by international election observers, and our own Namfrel.
If it was indeed her voice on the tapes, this would be false, as the wiretapped conversations took place while votes were still being counted in Mindanao. These places were mentioned in the tapes, along with assurances from "Garci" that President Arroyo would still lead in the polls.

That said, let me tell you how I personally feel. I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment.
Lapse in judgment? How can that be if the tapes showed that she called Commissioner Garcilliano at least 14 times? And if the alleged conversations really took place, why did she not do something about Commissioner Garcilliano's "assurances" that she would win the election?

I am sorry.
Her apology, delivered in a robotic voice and with blank eyes, looked forced and insincere; although speaking live to a confused and mostly angry populace and saying "I am sorry" does take a lot of guts.

I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter. I take full responsibility for my actions and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events. I want to assure you that I have redoubled my efforts to serve the nation and earn your trust.
We'll see about that.

Nagagambala ako. Maliwanag na may kakulangan sa wastong pagpapasya ang nangyaring pagtawag sa telepono. Pinagsisisihan ko ito nang lubos. Pinananagutan ko nang lubusan ang aking ginawa, at humihingi ako ng tawad sa inyo, sa lahat ng mga butihing mamamayan na nabawasan ng tiwala dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito. Ibig kong tiyakin sa inyo na lalo pa akong magsisikap upang maglingkod sa bayan at matamo ang inyong tiwala.
I think that she has her work cut out for her. Scandal after scandal has destroyed or at least shaken the people's trust in her. Her unpopular fiscal measures have done nothing to raise her popularity. A president can govern effectively only if he/she has the trust of the people.

I took office with a mandate to carry out a plan for the nation.
That remains open to debate, as the tapes cast doubts on her victory in last year's election.

Since that time, I have focused on making the tough but necessary decisions to make up for years of economic neglect. We passed a comprehensive, fiscally responsible national budget; raised new and necessary revenues to invest in the people; and implemented new anti-corruption measures that have led to the highest collection of taxes in history.
The expanded value added tax took effect today and my wallet took a very hard hit. Let's just hope that those "new and necessary revenues" are really used to invest in the people.
However, her anti-corruption measures leave a lot to be desired.

Nothing should stand in the way of this work, or the next phase of my reform agenda, which includes new investments in education and social services with our new revenues; and an expansion of our successful, anti-corruption and lifestyle checks.
Again, let's hope that that does happen, and that the revenues taken would not land in their pockets.

That is why I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governing.
Unfortunately most of the people don't want to "close this chapter"; a lot of the articles in the newspapers, a lot of people interviewed on TV, a lot of threads in websites, and of course the political opposition, show unwillingness to just forget this issue.

I ask each and everyone of you to join hands with me in a show of unity, to help forge one Philippines, where everyone is equal under the law, and everybody has the opportunity to use their God-given talents to make a better life.
You wish. With the prevailing mindset among our people, that would remain an idealistic dream. If only we can change that...

Our nation is strong and getting stronger.
Oops. If the recent events show anything, our nation is getting weaker and weaker due to the division of its people and the rampant corruption in its government.

The progress is steady and I ask you to walk with me on this journey to rebuild our great nation. I remain your humble servant and promise you that I will fulfill my constitutional oath of office to serve the people to the best of my ability.
I hope she keeps this promise, given that she broke her previous promises...

God bless the Philippines.
I couldn't have said it better myself.

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