"Then if
my people are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and
seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven
and will forgive their sins and heal their land"
2 Chronicles 7:14, NLT
At the advent
of the New Year, Filipinos in Diaspora and those in the mainland
had an auspicious start. They were greeted with unexpected news while
waiting to tear off the last page of the calendar. President GMA renounced
her plans to run for office in the forthcoming election in 2004. Many
were stunned.
I was not shocked, however, of the presidential decision. I saw it
coming that President GMA is not going to stay long in Malacanang
Palace. On November 21 of last year, I was visited with a strange
dream. In my reverie I saw myself enplaning back to the Philippines
and proceeded to the "big house". I saw the president collecting
her personal stuff. They are packing to vacate the place. On another
scene, I saw Mike, the husband, gathering his belongings too. The
couple is leaving. I felt a deep sense of sorrow. I am about to cry.
But at that point I woke up, searched my mind baffled what the dream
meant.
Immediately, I sent out a query via e-mail to my global contacts if
they have any interpretation of my bizarre dream. Those days I was
active with Overseas Filipino Worldwide Network (OFW). One of the
replies I receive was a hint that the military is restive and another
coup d'etat must be in the wings. I dismissed the idea that GMA would
be forcibly removed from Malacanang Palace. There is no moral leg
the opposition to stand on in ejecting the incumbent president. It
was not until 13 months and 10 days later during the observance of
Rizal Day I received the interpretation of my dream---the pained decision
of the President to seek no contest in the next national election.
The President attributed her decision as an "advise from God".
Said she, "God chose the circumstances for me to become President.
So, He knew that if He tells me not to run, I wouldn't run".
In a period when the Filipino people are becoming despondent and turning
desperate what ails the old homeland, the rejection of GMA to run
for election in 2004 but to focus instead her attention on governance
sans partisan politics, is like oasis in an arid desert. After all,
with her decision things might just turn up different in the Philippines
for this year and the next and the subsequent generation to come.
I disagree as others have suggested, the presidential decision hinged
on her declining popularity as evidenced by poor survey reports. I
neither lend credence implied by sceptics that her unprecedented decision
is a political ploy, nor the cynical view that the decision is an
"admission of defeat". Erudite political analysts do not
venture speculating about winnability or defeat when election date
is still away by over twelve months.
I am, however, inclined to believe that President GMA have risen to
the occasion by putting the country first. For repudiating partisan
politics, she did the most patriotic act a national leader could offer
to her suffering constituents. There is nothing wrong per se with
politics. What makes it wrong is the iniquitous behaviour of politicians
when they conveniently forget their mandate---to serve---once installed
in their lofty places.
Now that the president is free from the onerous burden of partisan
politics, the bane that plagues every official, from hereon she could
fully marshal the resources of her office to govern the nation without
fear or favour. To govern the country with much less wheeling and
dealing, less pressure to please warlords. This time she has no one
to pay back or pacify to ensure her seat in the next election.
Now that GMA is no longer in the race, no one could hold her hostage
to political blackmail, which postulates that as president she has
the freedom to make choices that redounds to public good, than formulate
decisions to optimize her chances of winning a national election.
One political pundit opined, "With one act, Gloria, has restored
some moral ascendancy into the presidency that for segments in our
recent history has struck bottom. Do you doubt her? Who else can we
trust?"
And to my kababayan, let it be said, the ills that afflicts
our old homeland could not be entirely attributed to the elective
officials. We ourselves have to share the blame. We elect undeserving
government officials. Worst, we acquiesce to the corruption that is
taking place because some of us are partakers too.
But no matter what how we look at GMA's decision, as for me, it is
a window of opportunity to rally behind her. The spiritual experience
that dawned to her was the catapult that gave her grace to subordinate
her personal ambition to aim a nobler goal by devoting her time to
bring about a brighter horizon for all Filipinos.
I construe, the call of the hour is to support GMA, the President.
About the Author
Bob Gabuna, prior
to his migration to Canada in December 1987, served the First Gentleman,
Jose Miguel Arroyo, as Executive Assistant for almost seven years.
He is originally from Looc, Romblon.
