The third State of the Nation Address of President Duterte has come and gone, but people are talking about the coup hatched just before the SONA started, where a change of leadership was sought. Pantaleon Alvarez is no longer House Speaker. The new House Speaker is none other than the former president of nine years, charged but absolved of plunder and current Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Initially, there was confusion when those behind Arroyo moved to swear her in. The sound system strangely conked out, and the mace that makes whatever action on the floor official went missing. So when Duterte was introduced, Alvarez still sat at the House Speaker’s chair. But when Duterte’s SONA was over, an older mace was installed, and a second voting was done with Arroyo having the numbers, which what the House is all about.
There was instant reaction from social media, mostly funny, some serious, but all maintaining a single theme; that Arroyo’s rise to power once again is simply outrageous and ridiculous. What struck me was a photograph of Arroyo in an elaborate neck brace, looking all sickly and frail. But as soon as she was released from house arrest and cleared of plunder, the braces were gone and the smile was back, with her looking healthy. Some are calling it a la “Game of Thrones” but that would be insulting the show. Some are saying to just leave Duterte’s allies to fight among themselves, an empire destroyed from within and all that. It is Arroyo’s third and last term in Congress after all. But is that a prelude to staying in power once again? Nine years as president just isn’t enough?
Don’t get me wrong. I would hardly shed a tear for Alvarez’ removal. His arrogance as House Speaker is legendary. Those who did not toe his line on the death penalty and federalism were punished. Committee chairmanships were withdrawn and funding removed. Sometimes I felt he was the president, which is what probably did not sit well with the president’s daughter. But did we go from worse to worst?
What did Duterte say at the SONA? He said it was impossible to remove TRAIN since it is currently filling up government coffers to help fund his infrastructure programs, as well as help the poor and senior citizens. Those calling for the removal of TRAIN are wrong, even if majority of the people bear the brunt of it. His ongoing war on drugs will continue. What else is new? We seem to be numb with all the killings anyway. He also reiterated his fight against corruption. He does not have to go any further. Just look at the COA reports. He also shouldn’t recycle those he already fired, doing away with the drama about lost friendships. The rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea would not be abandoned, even as the country sought friendlier ties with China. I surely hope so. The majority of the people demand it. All these without uttering a single profanity.
I guess the coup of the House Speakership was more engaging.