The Hindu : Mixed motives

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Editorials

Mixed motives

THE PEOPLE OF the Philippines were apparently not surprised when their President, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, reversed an earlier decision and declared her candidacy for the May 2004 election. The rest of the world might have lauded the motives, cited by Ms. Arroyo in a speech last December, for her decision to retire from politics at the end of her term. She wanted to devote the rest of her term to the tasks of uniting and leading her people. The cynicism with which the Filipinos responded to this announcement has been validated. They knew better than people outside the country that there were several factors that would impel Ms. Arroyo to enter the electoral fray. A desire for personal fulfilment seems a leading factor. Ms. Arroyo was pitch-forked into the Presidency in the wake of a popular uprising against former President Joseph Estrada; the military's nod for Mr. Estrada's ouster had reduced his options before the Philippines Supreme Court finally ended the constitutional crisis by declaring the Presidency vacant. Ms. Arroyo's term in office has always been clouded by the public perception that she became President less on merit than through fortuitous circumstances. She has to make a bid to enter office with the backing of the people's mandate if she is to establish her political credentials.

It is not clear whether Ms. Arroyo set aside her intent to seek political sanyas on grounds of high political principle or out of self-interest. Allegations of corruption have been levelled against her husband and son. Ms. Arroyo promised to cooperate with the agencies investigating these charges. However, she has not been able to erase the impression that she wants to cling on to power to protect her relatives. The suspicion that the public has on this score is likely to affect Ms. Arroyo's capacity to deliver the principled leadership she has promised. The cultivation of a principled democratic leadership is essential for the Philippines, which was ruled by a corrupt dictator till 1986 and has suffered several attempted military take-overs since then. By most accounts, Ms. Arroyo has not been able to ensure corruption-free governance. But she still represents an attractive alternative to some of the more unsavoury characters who are likely to challenge her at the polls; among the potential challengers is former soldier of fortune and current Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, who has been involved in nearly every coup attempt since 1986.

The manner in which Ms. Arroyo proclaimed her candidature has damaged the prospects of her efforts to unify the country. The Philippines media flayed her decision to throw her hat in the ring announced at a rally held in her home province. This attempt at arousing parochial sentiments was not expected of a person who claims that she wants to unify a populace that is divided along several lines. Ms. Arroyo might not be able to rally the people by appealing to their national pride either. Under her stewardship the Philippines has slid back towards its former position within the imperium of the United States. The Philippines does require external assistance to combat the several insurgencies currently raging in different parts of the archipelago. However, Ms. Arroyo's success in securing the status of a non-NATO ally of the U.S. for her country does not appear to have enhanced her appeal. Public opposition to the deployment of U.S. forces in any role other than as trainers shows that Filipinos are still wary of the former colonial power. It will be difficult for Ms. Arroyo, whose administration slavishly backed the U.S. invasion of Iraq, to make national pride a campaign issue.

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