A pointless view

(Note: This is a plain point of view of a pointless individual. Don’t tell me I did not warn you.)

Power. Is this all about that? What with this word that everyone seems to be craving about? I don’t have to spell it out what is/are associated with power.

Here in Cebu, the historic Consultative Commission (ConCom) on Charter Change was recently held. This was believed to be a better way to address the call for a change, a change of the kind of government we have in general, in administrating it, in particular.

I got from Bobit Avila, in his column piece, that most of the representatives (from the government sector, civil groups, NGO’s, military, judiciary, media, etc) in that consultation, which by the way was recorded by the National Economic Development Authority, would go for federalism. But this does not mean an immediate shift from the presidential form of government must take place. Of course, the result of this consultation/debate, and also those in other parts of the country (in the major cities where other consultations are also set to be held), will be raised before the Congress, where the real battle whether we should embrace a federal government or retain the old one shall be fought.

This may be a good way to tell to the public that everything is under control and that the government is doing something, that its power actually emanates from the people. I sure want change but I don’t know what works for this country.

The government, as of this posting, is President Arroyo. Whether we like it or not she’ll stay there, with her full power as the chief executive of this country, until her term ends, that’s like 5 years from now (that's why they are trying to amend the Constitution as it may mean cutting short her term). And while they're still at it instead of getting soaked by water cannons of the anti-riot police why don’t we sit down and talk (or raise our voice, if need be), if we really want a Charter change or not. Sometimes democracy is taken to the limits that’s why I’m not complaining with Arroyo’s Calibrated Preemptive Response.

So far, the public, I mean the majority of the Filipino people, seems to prefer Arroyo as the President. That can be gleaned from the poor representations of many street rallies, asking for her ouster. Needless to say the people don’t want a new president, not yet. Or the people may be tired of it all (I am).

This country is left without a choice. It’s like we have to make do with what we presently have. If along with GMA is the continuing price hike of all the commodities then we have to continuously work harder for us to survive. We don’t have a country so rich that can take care of us when we are broke and hungry, and we already know that fact.

What’s happening around us is inevitable, I think. If the price of gasoline has soared high and will even soar higher when EVAT is implemented then that will be beyond us, as people. Street demonstrations no longer work here. We can’t blame the Philippines for not having its own oil deposits! And I don’t think GMA can ask the oil cartel to stop further increasing its products. Nor can GMA beg the World Bank to lend us more money to plug the country’s deficits of billions. Hence, the EVAT law was pushed. It may be unfair to the many poor people to pay for the country’s debts by way of paying more for their basic needs but that’s how it must be. A bitter pill to take, they say. There are other better ways to address these problems but unfortunately our leaders want the easy way out.

GMA may want to stay in power bec the Constitution allows her to, or bec the people want her to (no choice gani). There are groups that want to dethrone her (with her alleged rigging the last election, among many other allegations), what’s new. And these people only want what? Power.

They think they can better address the problems we have. Let us not forget they’ve been there since the start of this political game and I don’t remember they have done something apart from further ruining what is already a ruined situation.

I think this blog needs direction.

I’m out.

(So?)