Freeliner by DIEGO B. LEDDA, JR.

I attended the luncheon meeting hosted by Mayor Benjie Lim where former President Fidel V. Ramos was the guest speaker at the Star Plaza last January 13, 2006. Some mayors, vice mayors, councilors and leaders of different non-governmental and civic organizations and members of the media including this columnist, were in attendance.

Mayor Benjie spelled out the points of discussion queries addressing to the old man before he introduced him. In his introductory speech, Mayor Benjie would have wanted FVR to give a direct answer on the status of our country and the position of the former president on the term of Mrs. Gloria Arroyo. But we were disappointed FVR was not that transparent enough to give his direct answers but instead, his audience was confused as to FVR’s real stand.

After the directorate meeting of the LAKAS Party last Saturday, FVR was more than what he used to be when he was president. Of course, he is no longer the president and his stature within the party is more of consultancy rather than the actor or implementor. In other words, FVR can say what he wants, but he has still to abide by the decision of his party. Mrs. Arroyo, being the incumbent president, holds a tighter grip with the members of the party and so long as she provides what they need, FVR will lose in any voting process.

In conclusion, FVR’s one-week stage plays are over after the party decided to support Mrs. Arroyo to continue her term until 2010. FVR’s proposal to cut short the term of Mrs. Arroyo has been lost in the stream just like FVR fading away from the scenes of politics.

The problem of Mr. Tabako, as he is referred to, is that he changed his mind and his decisions are too pale and hold no water. He plays them psywar, but many of his partymates and even the opposition know there’s nothing more important FVR can do than to advise and GMA can just take it or leave it. Unfortunately, he is not the president anymore, and the LAKAS members see more strength and cling to power if they support GMA.

Even the eloquent Speaker de Venecia is no longer his believer. Speaker de Venecia is now the staunchest supporter of GMA and that dancing the cha-cha (character change) is a way to his dream to become the Prime Minister.

And you see, they talk all the time about the cha cha for what. These people blame the Constitution for having GMA as president? They want to change the charter instead of GMA. They want to change the system rather than the people within the system. They condemn the Constitution that put them today in power than reproach themselves who implement and commit blunders in our government.

Speaker de Venecia wanted the French-style of parliamentary government first then shift to British style of parliamentary system. The problem is that both systems have also their flaws. France has its president while Britain has its queen? Do they mean to say that shifting to France will retain GMA as president and then when we use the British-style, GMA will be our queen?

But there is one more institution to hurdle. If GMA was able to thumb down the congressmen, let’s see whether the same is for the Senators. If the Senators say NO, then all their efforts will go to the dogs, unless they come to us for a plebiscite. Anyway, this year goes to the dogs, we might as well wag the dog.

For me, the presidential system fits our country more to provide control of check and balance. The problem with our country is not the Constitution but the people implementing the Constitution. Do you mean to say that if GMA indeed cheated her way to the presidency, and lied before her countrymen, we should blame the Constitution? The problem with these people is change. They do not want to change themselves, but instead look for a scapegoat for a change. The  problem is that they love themselves very much, are selfish and super egoistic and take the blame to the system for what they are today.

Do we mean that if we adopt the British or French parlimentary system of government, our poor people will become rich, the problems of poverty, shelter, foods and education could be addressed instantly? With the same people and politicians manning the system, that is an illusion, a nightmare.

You see, readers, the real problem of our country cannot be solved by charter change. Our real problem is more of our spiritual and moral degradation. We have focused and set our minds to the material things on earth; power, money, greed, boastfulness, divisiveness, survival, etc. our politicians allow themselves to be slaves of these iniquities, far away from what God wants us to follow. Our public servants became our masters, and yet do not want to submit to God’s rules. Change. It is one word that has infinite meaning, and the politicians miread it.