Do you believe that PGMA has plans to rule beyond 2010?

Norberto Robles, Taguig: How could PGMA rule beyond 2010? Martial Law? Not possible. Constitutional amendment? No way; it won’t pass in a referendum. Only the gullible fall for this line from the opposition.  

Exped Umadhay, Iloilo City: PGMA has plans to rule our country beyond 2010 and it is a good, positive plan for every Filipino. There’s nothing wrong with that.  

Lust for power

Marlone Ramirez, Dubai: John Steinbeck said, “Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of loss of power.” It is easy to conjecture PGMA’s political timetable beyond 2010. History proves that she reneged on her pledge to the Filipino people to culminate her term in 2004. Indeed, the amnesia of fulfilling promises and phobia for loss of power are common disorders in Philippine politics.  

Joseph Apao, Davao City: Anyone who has gotten used to power would want to hold on to power even beyond the limits set by law. PGMA is no exception.  

Leonard Villa, Batac City: I think so, but she’s at a loss as to how to do it. Dureza’s controversial prayer is a hint that PGMA’s political allies are salivating for her perpetuation in power.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila :She wants infinite power so she won’t suffer what Erap suffered and for all the riches of this country to be hers. I don’t know how she survives all the attacks being thrown at her. She even had the capacity to gag the mouth of the highest-ranking general, the leader of the Supreme Court, and the majority of those in the legislature. As of now, I don’t want to think about that. I prefer to think of the Philippines having a new president like Gordon, Bayani Fernando, Lacson, De Castro or Binay. Huwag lang siya ulit. Tama na, please have mercy.  

Crizel Fernandez, Baguio City: Yes, I think that PGMA will still rule until 2010, kahit na paulit-ulit silang mag-file for impeachment. Mababasura lang ‘yan!  

What’s wrong with that?

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: PGMA does not have plans to rule beyond 2010. Dureza’s prayer to God is clear on that. Like flies zeroing in on a carcass, critics feasted on the prayer as having asked God too much. The appropriate response would have been a prayer to God, too, not to grant Dureza’s wish. I pray to God that Dureza’s wish be granted!  

Jun Orbeta, Cavite :What’s wrong with that if PGMA serves beyond 2010? She’s doing a great job in this time of crisis. May kokontra ba?  

Jemas Undag, Pasay City: I don’t think that PGMA will run for president in the 2010 national elections. The law prohibits the reelection of an elected president who has already served his or her term of office. But even if she runs for the same position, it’s okay because she’s perfectly suited for the position with her proven capacity to run the country. Comparing her with other presidentiables, isn’t she the most qualified? Puro lang pa-pogi ang mga ‘yan. Kung hindi magaling ang pangulo dapat sana bumulusok na tayo ng tuluyan sa putik at sa hirap.  

D. Villagonzalo, Cebu City: I hope so, and with a much bigger stick!  

Marco Abad, Bulacan: Maybe PGMA should stay beyond 2010. I’d rather have PGMA get her term extended than have Loren or Noli as president.  

That’s what we’re being made to believe

Albert Laborte, Metro Manila: No, that is what the opposition and the media would like people to think. They want the public to ride on it, thinking that PGMA surveys are correct.  

M. Sunico, Caloocan City :Anybody who thinks straight and believes in the veracity of our Constitution will never even think of this question. However, the majority is aided by the belligerence of people in media, and we still believe that we are all a defiant and unruly lot and that our elected President can easily extend her term beyond what is allowed by political guidelines. People who entertain this kind of absurd question simply show ignorance and familiarity with the rule of the ignorant mob. If one will closely look into the composition of the opposition and its leadership, most of them are indeed part of the politically and legally ignorant lot. They have never accepted the dignity of their political position as proven by their so-so performance in office and are only focused on grabbing political power to further their vested interests.  

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: No, anybody who does has his mind full of the ambiguity and complexities of a transitory government in the very near future.  

Danny de Leon, Al-Khafji, Saudi Arabia: She has no plan of staying in power beyond 2010, that’s according to her and her allies. And the way most Filipinos are treating her, I don’t think she has the guts. Only critics of the administration are afraid of this, and of course, those presidentiables who are very eager to be in Malacañang. PGMA only wants to leave a legacy that the country is in good shape before she steps down. That’s a fact.  

Tell-tale signs

June Deoferio, Cavite :Ever since PGMA was installed as President after Edsa II, she has done everything possible to hold her position beyond 2010.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Yes, there are tell-tale signs. Moves to change the Charter and recent changes in the Senate leadership insinuate that PGMA’s leadership may extend beyond 2010.  

Val Cantara, Parañaque City :I’ll bet my last shirt on my back GMA has no more plans to run beyond 2010. Calling the Black and White Movement and some bishops.  

E. Linsangan, Isabela: GMA’s bright boys keep saying that she’s not up for a term extension. Her body language, though, says it all. She has plans to rule up to 2010 and beyond.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: I believe so. Why not? Sec. Dureza’s invocation said it all, hoisting a trial balloon and testing the waters, so to speak. She better not try to do it.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal :Yes, the last stage of PGMA’s battle plan is working. Sen. Enrile, an ally, is now Senate President. Holding all the aces, the possibility of PGMA’s ruling beyond 2010 can be a reality.  

Don’t think so

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: I believe PGMA was telling the truth when she said she’s not interested in extending her term. Besides, unless it is amended, the Constitution does not allow her to run again as president in 2010. Anyway, she will have ruled for nine long years when she steps down in 2010 and that’s long enough.  

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Las Piñas City: I don’t think she will, and if I were her, I will just enjoy life as a private citizen. I’m sure she has enough money to do that.  

Ian Roy Gerna, Eastern Samar: No, I don’t think GMA will extend her power beyond 2010. But if she does, let’s just pray that she can uplift the lives of our poor people.  

Her minions would love that

J. Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I do not believe that GMA has plans to rule beyond 2010, unless her bright boys force her to do so through Charter change and by shifting to a parliamentary form of government. This is a big possibility considering that only 119 families control Philippines. If this happens, what a pity for the new generation!  

Edwin Gatia, Pennsylvania, USA :They must be suffering from paranoia because I see GMA being pushed by her equally greedy people for another term beyond 2010. Ask Sec. Dureza, who said so in his opening prayer.  

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: The idea might be playing in her mind, but no, I don’t think PGMA has any plan to stay beyond 2010. It’s Dureza’s wish so he will have a job.  

It’s pure speculation

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: No, PGMA knows that her term limit is up to 2010 only. Any noise related thereto is pure speculation and has no basis in fact and in law.  

Politics is her obsession

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: It’s her obsession, and Sec. Doolittle Dureza was even heard praying for guidance for GMA staying in office beyond 2010. Please, we have had enough of you, Madam.  

Gil Balobalo, Laguna: Absolutely. She is too young to retire from politics, which is her obsession.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Definitely, in the event that a legal instrument would make her eligible to rule beyond 2010, she would jump at the opportunity.  

Can we believe what GMA says?

Richard Decena, Quezon City: Direct the question to PGMA. Ask her if she has plans to rule beyond 2010. Whatever her answer is, don’t believe her.  

Arrin Villareal, Antipolo City: PGMA wants to, but she needs to keep her word this time. Still, I doubt if she would.  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: PGMA’s reaction to Press Sec. Dureza’s prayer before a Cabinet meeting will answer this question. She has a record of lying and deceit.  

Jae delos Santos, Muntinlupa City: I strongly believe that she has plans. She already broke her word of not running for the presidency and that’s sufficient basis for her unpredictability.  

Noel van Zijl, MD, Rotterdam: I believe she has plans and she and her minions have talked about it. Why else would Sec. Dureza mention it in his prayers? I believe if she had her druthers, she’d stay forever. If I am wrong, good, but we still have to be vigilant. This woman has proven time and again that telling the truth is a concept she does not possess.  

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: We know PGMA’s ability to recant her statements. PGMA is intelligent enough to know that if she finally steps down in 2010, the die is cast for her. Obviously, changes in leadership in Congress and the Senate were initial moves for Charter change. Now, I believe it was God’s forewarning through this little birdie named Dureza that created ripples on the issue so we have to be more vigilant and more discerning of her every move. I can’t imagine another hell of a time under her administration beyond 2010.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba: You can’t trust PGMA anymore. My advice to her and Erap: Bigyan naman nila ng pagkakataon ang iba!  

The only way to find out is to wait for 2010

Jun Cajucom, Tacloban City: Learning from my GMA experience, the only one sure way to find this out is to wait for 2010.  

Term extension through Cha-cha

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: PGMA is riding on a tiger she can’t afford to dismount. If she gets down, she will face a barrage of plunder cases. But after years of maneuvering, she now has control of both Houses and the Supreme Court. Term extension through Charter change is within her reach.  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: Obviously, PGMA has plans. Reviving the Cha-cha is a step in that direction. But she is intelligent enough to know that there are grave consequences.  

Robert Young Jr. San Juan: Sec. Dureza’s prayer was a litmus test to find out the reaction of the public to the idea. Pres. Arroyo now has control of Congress, the Supreme Court, and just recently, the Senate. Charter change is a grim possibility; term extension is within her reach.  

She knows that won’t happen

Rey Onate, Palayan City: No, she is intelligent enough to understand that the present and developing situation will not allow that to happen.  

Col. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: I am not 100-per cent convinced that GMA wants to rule beyond 2010. Even if she has proven her capacity for all the dirty tricks in politics, she already knows how unpopular she is, both domestically and internationally. The snub by US President-elect Barack Obama is already proof of this. She cannot ignore the US, whose support she knows she needs if she is to sustain herself in power. But, to be able to effectively rule between now and when her term ends in 2010 is rational justification enough to seemingly push for Cha-cha if only to at least project the myth that she is still firmly in control and must be taken seriously and not ignored for the rest of her term. A year and a half is still quite a long time to be a lameduck.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: PGMA is not dumb and knows her limitations. Let’s not pre-empt her. She’s more intelligent than most of us.  

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Given Dureza’s inane antics that vexed both the politicians and bemused the hoi polloi, I think PGMA will think thrice before pushing her luck.  

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: I don’t think she will. What PGMA needs beyond 2010 is peace of mind. She needs to be away from the dirty politics that many Pinoy politicians play.  

Only the paranoid think this way

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: From day one of her presidency, PGMA has been living like a slave being whipped by her enemies in every move she has made and every word she has uttered. She nevertheless endured them to carry out her solemn duty to serve her people. I believe that she is now longing to leave Malacañang to enjoy the liberties of a private citizen. But she still has 17 months to wrestle. Only the paranoid think she wants to perpetuate herself in power.  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: I prefer to have faith in the assurances of GMA rather than believe the paranoid prophesies of her critics.  

Doubtful if people would support her

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: PGMA, for the nth time, has said it would be all over by 2010. And even if she wanted to, I doubt if people would still support her.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: No one can say this except for her. If she has plans to rule beyond 2010, mahihirapan na siyang lumusot unless magkaroon ng replay ang “Hello, Garci?”  

Tony Gomez, Parañaque City: Even if she has plans beyond 2010, people won’t allow it. Too much corruption has already taken place.  

Julio Ibon, Laoag City: Even if she has plans, she will no longer win the elections, I was shocked at her reaction to Sec. Dureza’s prayer. Tsk, tsk, tsk!  

Janet Lopez, Manila: Should we allow that, then we really are nothing but sad sacks.  

Durez’s prayer may be of dubious intent, but for GMA to entertain an extension of her term is no longer music to the ears.  C. Gaspar, Laoag City

GMA doesn’t have the boldness of Marcos

Felix Ramento, Manila :If I may risk an opinion, PGMA does not have the boldness of Marcos and enough bright boys to draw up such a plan.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: PGMA is not as megalomaniac as Marcos who believed his own delusion that he had a covenant with the Filipino people. Ayun, na-People Power tuloy sila ni Meldita! Erap, like his idol, repeated his error: Mahal ako ng masa! before Edsa 2 toppled him down. Bumaba ka kapag wala nang naniniwala sa iyo!  

Will she make it?

Gerry del Cano, Muntinlupa City: Don’t be bothered if PGMA has plans to rule beyond 2010. The question is, how sure are we that she’s going to make it?  

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: If indeed she is planning to extend her term, I doubt if PGMA has enough energy left to rule beyond 2010.  

Let’s brace ourselves

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: I would not know what’s on PGMA’s mind. However, it is my honest belief that possibilities loom between now and 2010 or beyond. And we are not ignorant of how Philippine politics goes. Let’s just brace ourselves.  

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: GMA is, for a fact, determined to rule beyond 2010. No doubt even Pres. Secretary Dureza is imploring the aid of Divine Providence. Medyo desperatena sila at ayun tuloy, nadulas. Honestly, I don’t believe there’ll be an election. I know something will come out of all these and we’ll all be caught off-guard. At least ako adopted na ni Obama, pero paano naman ang mga kababayan ko?  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: No, susmaryosep! Two terms are enough for her. We should be forewarned and forearmed. We should guard against any initiative for a stay of PGMA beyond 2010. Sobra na, tama na.  

Two terms are enough

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: No, two terms are enough and too long to rule. Pagbigyan naman yung mga atat na atat na maging Pangulo.  

She would need Martial Law

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: There have been speculations but I still don’t believe them, although the possibility is there. The only way PGMA can rule beyond 2010 is through the declaration of Martial Law. I am not sure if her new alliance now with various groups gives her that opportunity. If martial rule comes about, it could be messy and may put our country back to square one. And suppose she will be ousted thereafter, it could lead to a bloody confrontation with the nation as the loser. For the country, it will be better for PGMA to step aside after her time is up in 2010 and let the democratic process take its due course.  

GMA should just ignore the politicking

Joben Sisneros, Sorsogon: The most that the President can do right now is to focus on her economic reform agenda to keep our economy strong amidst the worldwide economic falldown. There is so much politicking going on in the country. If she allows herself to be affected by all this political noise, we won’t be able to overcome the challenges we face. Those saying that the President will still run come 2010 are insecure and power-hungry. They know we have laws that protect against anyone abusing the power. Let these prevail.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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