Pakistan’s strongman for nine (9) years President Pervez Musharaf resigns to avoid impeachment. In a lengthy address on nationwide television, the former general said “ Charges against me would never stand but that I want to spare the nation from a damaging impeachment battle”
In terms of power, influence and military connection, Musharaf stands tall against a diminutive Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. But the former staunch ally of the United States against terrorism, Musharaf knew the virtue of surrender and had to abandon any plans of perpetuating himself in power in the name of peace and stability.
Mrs. Arroyo is a different breed with size notwithstanding. She was charged for electoral fraud in 2004 and faced impeachment the following year. She survived the first test of her presidency but since then Filipinos started to distrust her as shown in her popularity ratings, as low as negative 38, the lowest of any Philippine President since the time of Emilio Aguinaldo.
Her husband, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo starred in one of the most high-profile ZTE-Broadband scam that forced then Comelec Commissioner Ben Abalos to resign his post. The first family also survived the opposition onslaught, thanks to the rice and oil price crises.
A religious leader once commented that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was appointed by God and that she will finish her term in 2010. Mrs. Arroyo herself boasted in several occasions that she is appointed by God. Believe it or not, she remains a powerful woman president.
And critics and allies as well are one in saying that even with the latest presidential blunder of entering into an agreement with the rebels in Mindanao, obviously onerous and disadvantageous to the Filipino people in general would survive attacks against her brand of leadership and continue to remain Commander in Chief that cannot seem to engage the rebels with force.
Already the rebels (MILF) in Mindanao have occupied several towns, killed several civilians and soldiers and damaged and looted properties. “CRUSH THE ENEMY” was the order of the Commander in Chief but so far there is no offensive.
There are indications that Mrs. Arroyo is losing her grip on the armed forces, or that she is being hostaged by Malaysia or the Organization of Islamic Conference. But the worst apprehension is that the President is allowing all these fighting in Mindanao to ensure that she stays in power through emergency rule well beyond 2010.
Whatever scenarios one may have in mind against the president, it is clear that Mrs. Arroyo has lost the trust and confidence of the Filipino people including her own allies in Congress.
Musharaf, despite his past as a hardened general and privy to violence and war had to surrender in the name of a more superior noble intention – FOR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE.
We cannot hope Mrs. Arroyo will voluntarily do the same but at least we can tell her now…MRS. PRESIDENT, RESIGN…for country and people.
