Political concession of the century

Letter to the Editor

November 6, 2007For reference:  Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson (0927-215-7392)

 As an alliance of organizations composed of overseas Filipinos and their families, we call on all migrants and the entire Filipino nation to condemn the political concession of the century – the pardon of Erap.  Never before has the Arroyo regime ebbed so low in the eyes of the people.   

First was the odious ZTE deal where the chairman of the supposedly independent electoral body, was bared brokering a US$300 million government contract among top officials of the Arroyo administration.  Next were the immoral P240 million “cash gifts” or clear bribery right inside Malacanang Palace during a meeting called and hosted by President Arroyo herself. Then came the Glorietta bombing – which exploded while another bombshell was being heard in the Senate that directly implicates Gloria herself in the ZTE scam. All these events converged, and, presto, Gloria hastily hands down the Executive Clemency for Erap.    No one is buying this as an act of compassion or reconciliation.  It is plain and simple conspiracy and political survival. 

Cornered like an animal, Gloria had to pull out all stops to perpetuate herself in power – from aligning with Cardinal Sin and Cory Aquino during EDSA II, to locking arms with Fidel Ramos during the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal and now with Erap in the midst of the ZTE deal and cash bribes. As the saying goes, “in politics there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.”  

This pardon is opportunism feeding opportunism at its worst.   As for Erap, he has dug himself in a deeper hole.  Where once he called Gloria the main source of the masses’ misery, overnight she became his reliable friend and ally in the eradication of poverty.  The “Erap para sa mahirap” died with this monumental charade.  

Worse, whatever little credibility this rotten political system has is now lost and gone to the dogs. Indeed, this case underlines again that we cannot trust the ruling elite even for a single moment.  We must have faith instead in the continuing struggle of the people for national liberation and democracy – and we need to always distinguish clearly between the permanent enemies and permanent allies of the Filipino people.  #