undWe are a people fond of cutting corners. We have a low regard for things such as due process, and a disdain for the rule of law.
For many Filipinos, everything is justifiable for expediency's sake. That's why traffic lights are ignored at twelve midnight. Why wait for it to turn green, when there aren't any other cars in sight?
For many Filipinos, everything is justifiable for expediency's sake. That's why traffic lights are ignored at twelve midnight. Why wait for it to turn green, when there aren't any other cars in sight?
When our leaders foul up, the instinct of many is to unseat them through means not found in our Constitution. Why wait till the next election, when the public is willing to help you legitimize your coup?
We forget, however, that laws are there for a reason. We forget that disregarding our laws has dangerous consequences. For those who ignore the red light in the dead of the night, it is the car crash resulting from that speeding car that came out of nowhere. For those that succeed in unseating a president through extralegal means, it is the weakening of the institutions that are the foundations of a stable democracy.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's apology has been followed by calls for her resignation. Some politicians have called for a snap election. The Left has proposed the establishment of a provisional revolutionary government to replace the current administration.
These proposals demand that GMA be replaced posthaste. All reject the principle of succession as enshrined in our Constitution:
In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall then act as President until the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified. (Sec. 8, Art. VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution)
I can understand why many find the idea of the presidency being handed to Vice President Noli De Castro, Senate President Franklin Drilon, or Speaker Jose De Venecia repugnant. For the opposition, five years is too long a wait for the next election. The Left, on the other hand, sees an opportunity to do in one year what they've attempted to do for the past few decades-- stage a revolution that will replace a system they believe is controlled by the elite. As for the common tao the street-- well, they consider all the alternatives to GMA unappealing.
They want GMA to go, fine. Go ahead, pressure her into resigning, or impeach her. But proposing solutions beyond those prescribed by our laws is foolish and unwise.
We forget, however, that laws are there for a reason. We forget that disregarding our laws has dangerous consequences. For those who ignore the red light in the dead of the night, it is the car crash resulting from that speeding car that came out of nowhere. For those that succeed in unseating a president through extralegal means, it is the weakening of the institutions that are the foundations of a stable democracy.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's apology has been followed by calls for her resignation. Some politicians have called for a snap election. The Left has proposed the establishment of a provisional revolutionary government to replace the current administration.
These proposals demand that GMA be replaced posthaste. All reject the principle of succession as enshrined in our Constitution:
In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall then act as President until the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified. (Sec. 8, Art. VII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution)
I can understand why many find the idea of the presidency being handed to Vice President Noli De Castro, Senate President Franklin Drilon, or Speaker Jose De Venecia repugnant. For the opposition, five years is too long a wait for the next election. The Left, on the other hand, sees an opportunity to do in one year what they've attempted to do for the past few decades-- stage a revolution that will replace a system they believe is controlled by the elite. As for the common tao the street-- well, they consider all the alternatives to GMA unappealing.
They want GMA to go, fine. Go ahead, pressure her into resigning, or impeach her. But proposing solutions beyond those prescribed by our laws is foolish and unwise.
We just can't bend or break our laws whenever it suits us. So Noli De Castro isn't exactly the kind of person we want running our country. But hey, we made him Vice President. Now we don't want him to do the job we gave him in the first place? Tough. Next time, vote and campaign hard for the candidate you believe in, so people like De Castro don't end up in government.
Right now the strict adherence to our laws-- and respect for our institutions-- is far safer than allowing ourselves to be swept along by our passionate need for overnight reforms. The rule of law and the strength of our institutions will allow us to weather crises in leadership whenever they occur. It will discourage military adventurism, power grabs, and anarchy in the streets.
Our Constitution isn't perfect. But a clear set of ground rules is better than none. Calling for a snap election, something not found in our Constitution, or starting from scratch with the set-up of a "provisional revolutionary government" is tantamount to allowing the proponents of these ideas to make the rules as they go along. The danger with doing this is that it provides those who make the rules opportunities to cheat whenever they want.
Tama na (enough). Letting GMA remain in power or paving the way for a Noli De Castro presidency may make our stomachs turn, but in the long run it will benefit us and will help strengthen what is an already fragile democracy.
