The End Of An Era
@7shotsofwisdom (42)
Philippines
December 28, 2009 4:14am CST
I saw President Gloria Arroyo early morning walking (and greeting local residents passing by) just outside the gates of The Mansion House here in Baguio City and I realized this is her last Christmas holiday as a sitting president. I remember during EDSA Dos when she was much younger and the country's hopes were placed squarely on her shoulders. Seeing her face up close now, older (but not wiser), is a stark contrast to what she looked like in 2001. For a moment I kinda felt sorry for her, as a person and not as a political leader, kinda like how I felt as a teenager seeing the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos board a US Air Force chopper to Hawaii, you feel sorry for the person but not for the politics he/she represents. And I feel sorry for us all - of the lost promises of EDSA 1 and 2, and all the missed opportunities at greatness.
So when January comes, the Philippines will essentially begin the countdown to the final days of the Arroyo Administration. Whether she likes it or not, for the next few months, she will no longer be the main newsmaker. Our tv sets, radios, local websites and newspapers will now focus more on the presidential candidates for the May elections. Gloria will fade away from the political consciousness of every Pinoy (hopefully into oblivion) and the whole circus starts again.
Have you guys already made your mind up on who you think deserves to sit in Malacanang? Whoever you wish to support for the coming elections, I hope you'll be able to see past the rhetorics and propaganda and choose the right leader for this country. Otherwise next Christmas, a lot of us would be musing again over lost chances and missed opportunities.
Happy new year everyone. ^^
~ sb
3 people like this
6 responses
@eichs1 (1934)
• Philippines
29 Dec 09
I don't know why I had this feeling that it will not be the end of the Arroyo regime. She still have five months in her hand and the support of the executive, legislative and judiciary. And even if she stoops down gracefully as President, I really think she will wield more power as representative of the 2nd district of Pampanga.
But I'd rather be proven wrong. I really wish that the election will proceed smoothly and the people's voice be heard. And if GMA became congresswoman, may she continue to contribute for the betterment of our country and not the other way around.
@7shotsofwisdom (42)
• Philippines
29 Dec 09
eichs, I think your fears are unfounded. If ever she becomes an elected representative of Pampanga, I don't think she will wield that much influence over her fellow congressmen. She doesn't hold the government purse, in fact she'll be just like everyone else waiting for dole-outs from the new president outside of their allocated funds. The thing about Philippine politics, power is influence - and presidential power is more influential than congressional power. I guarantee you when we elect a new president, it will be a season of balimbings again - even GMA loyalists will leave her for the new president's bandwagon. The new president will hold greater influence than a congresswoman Arroyo.
@7shotsofwisdom (42)
• Philippines
30 Dec 09
We'll see soon enough after the elections, eichs. I'm not saying your gut feeling is wrong. I'm just saying it will be difficult to have the same power again from a congressional position, as compared to her presidential influence now.
So we'll see. ^^ I'm in no mood to debate - just got home after spending 6 hours in the hospital (asthma attack), but boy I'm really glad you're around to liven up my discussion while I was away. Happy new year to you and your family, eichs. ^^
@drakesuyat (1063)
• Philippines
28 Dec 09
i just hope she wont manipulate again to do some headlines that will decide her to bring down martial law again and worst scenario, arroyo being the prime minister
. cant tell who among those great guys (as they always claim) will save our economy. and it cant be done by the next president even if he is the brightest, the most honest, and everything. one term is not enough. we need more than six years to bring back our economy where it is during the days of Marcos. and it should be another bright, honest and everything qualities again and again and again for that dream economic boom! happy new year 7shotsofwisdom.
. cant tell who among those great guys (as they always claim) will save our economy. and it cant be done by the next president even if he is the brightest, the most honest, and everything. one term is not enough. we need more than six years to bring back our economy where it is during the days of Marcos. and it should be another bright, honest and everything qualities again and again and again for that dream economic boom! happy new year 7shotsofwisdom.@drakesuyat (1063)
• Philippines
30 Dec 09
yah right agv0419. although she can manipulate some but it will be hard for her to dictate the next president for sure. unless otherwise, she'll do some miracles to help win her candidate. just cant imagine if erap wins it
u bet she'll immediately run down being representative and better leave the country instead. or she'll regret the day she was born. happy new year agv0419
u bet she'll immediately run down being representative and better leave the country instead. or she'll regret the day she was born. happy new year agv0419
@agv0419 (3022)
• Philippines
30 Dec 09
As of now I'm not yet decided who I'm going to vote. She is running again and her power is still present she can manipulate her ally their in the government. I want change to our government and to our country. During Arroyo's term there are many scandals, corruptions and controversions up to now is not yet resolved.
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
4 Jan 10
Wow! it has been sometime I have seen you postin in here again and in a different username already. I somehow missed your posting in here that make a lot of sense among and I find it rather amusing to read your post in here.
Oh well I guess she is just enjoying the rest of her days in Malacanan these last few months. Many will be focus on the presidentiables as they will parade themselves to the voters. I just hope that GMA will not interfere with to ensure the winning of their bet and they would allow who will win in the elections. GMA for sure will not be interested to delve into it since she will also be busy in campaigning in her local district as Congresswoman. I think it will not be her last in the political arena.
I somehow missed your posting in here that make a lot of sense among and I find it rather amusing to read your post in here.
Oh well I guess she is just enjoying the rest of her days in Malacanan these last few months. Many will be focus on the presidentiables as they will parade themselves to the voters. I just hope that GMA will not interfere with to ensure the winning of their bet and they would allow who will win in the elections. GMA for sure will not be interested to delve into it since she will also be busy in campaigning in her local district as Congresswoman. I think it will not be her last in the political arena.
@dolce_vita78 (8062)
• Philippines
28 Dec 09
Hi there 7shortsofwisdom!
I have seen her around Baguio City for the past few days. I do agree with you, she looks older but not wiser. And I am happy that it will be her last Christmas here in our city as the President. I also hope that she spends her Christmas and New Year here next year as an ordinary individual (or Congresswoman, fine) and NOT as the Prime Minister.
At this point in time, I still don't know whom to support this coming elections. But I hope God will enlighten me and guide me into choosing someone worth my vote. 
And I am happy that it will be her last Christmas here in our city as the President. I also hope that she spends her Christmas and New Year here next year as an ordinary individual (or Congresswoman, fine) and NOT as the Prime Minister.
At this point in time, I still don't know whom to support this coming elections. But I hope God will enlighten me and guide me into choosing someone worth my vote. @7shotsofwisdom (42)
• Philippines
28 Dec 09
Hi, dolce, you can still call me by my old name: spoiledbrat802 (or sb for short). Lost my old account, that's all. ^^
The prime minister thing, I don't think it's gonna happen. Politicians are fickle. Once we elect a new president, all the GMA loyalists (and other oppositionists) will jump on the new president's party in a blink of an eye. So cha-cha is not gonna happen either way.
Happy new year! ^^
~sb
@magtibaygom (4858)
• Philippines
2 Jan 10
I hope you are right with what you said. Anything can happen. Who knows?
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
22 Feb 10
Hello wisdom,
I thought it was the end the Gloria era. until a few days ago that he is actually running for congreswoman seat in Pampanga, probably the first President who ever run for a small government position.
Feeling sorry isn't gonna do us any good, i believe Moving forward is the only solution for us to do the right thing for the country. people did what they knew was right, and Erap did somethign illegal during his Presidency, despite the fact that some had actually apologize to him.
For now, i have been active in gathering usual information about the Presidentiables. you can check my topics about it since i got obsessed with it for a week. got links with their debates in youtube too and some platforms, which are not complete.
Have a great day.
@aphroditelily (172)
• Philippines
30 Dec 09
Yes, as the new year ends, and a new set of officials will come up in the next year's elections, I really hope that we will all vote for the people who have the will enough, the idealism, the honesty and the integrity to keep this country going. Sad to say that the previous Arroyo administration has not left a good impression upon the Filipino people, but we cannot say we have wasted an entire political regime. A lot has happened during the entire stay, and we have moved through it, learning a lot of things. I hope we apply the things we have realized in searching for the next leader of the country. Already we are in the right track, as more people have applied for voting registration than before. We can only do our part and hope for the best.
Personally, I haven't been able to choose who I am going to put in my vote for. I really want to wait for the debates - the real showdown on who's the smartest, who's got the ideas, and who's really willing to serve the country. I'll be looking forward to watching that one.
