Conrad de Quiros: Arroyo THEN and NOW

Sa mga iilang civil society supporters ni Arroyo, ang masasabi ko lang ay ganito: kung tinanggal at ipina-aresto nyo si Erap for his crimes, why couldn't you do the same for Mrs. Arroyo, when MAS MALALA AT MAS GRABE PA ANG CORRUPTION AT PAGNANAKAW NA GINAWA NG ARROYO ADMIN?

Makes you go hmmmmmmmmmmmm... eh?

Anyway, this is a beaut from Conrad.

THEN: “At 53, Arroyo prepares to take over the presidency, should incumbent President Joseph Estrada give in to the demands that he leave his post. Asked how soon Estrada should resign, she said: ‘As soon as possible. If he could resign now, all the better.’ She argues that President Estrada should leave Malacañang soon to save the failing economy. ‘Things are so bad now.’” (Asiaweek, December 2000.)

Now: “Once again, we’re subverting the rule of law … I will not resign.” (July 2005, replying to calls for her resignation.)

Then: “A day after she urged President Estrada to resign, Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stepped up her attacks against the President. She said the 'jueteng' [illegal lottery] scandal hounding the President showed that his promise not to let his relatives and friends benefit from the government was just empty words.” (Inquirer, 10/27/00)

Now: “Jueteng has gotten worse under Arroyo.” (Archbishop Oscar Cruz told the Senate committee hearings on jueteng.) “What kind of government is this? Are we in a military state already? There are no more principles. There are no more values and morals. Everything is just about money, money, money.” (Archbishop Cruz, when his witnesses began recanting.)

Then: “Leadership by example, transparency, a good work ethic and a dignified lifestyle,” Arroyo said of the kind of government she intends to lead. “We need to improve moral standards in the government and Philippines’ society.” (Asiaweek, December 2000.)

Now: “Hello, hello, hello Garci. So will I still lead by more than 1 million?” (Exchange between Arroyo and Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, which became a popular “ringtone.”) “All heads of departments of the executive branch of government shall secure the consent of the President prior to appearing before either house of Congress. [This includes] generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces.” (Text of EO 464.)

Then: “After due prayer and reflection… the Archdiocese of Manila officially supports the calls for President Joseph Estrada to resign…. This call on our part is not a violation of the constitutional principle of separation of Church and State. It is being made because of the moral dimension contained in the political issues.

“The local Church as partaker in the prophetic role of Jesus Christ, her Founder, declares that our main reason for denouncing the bad news personified by the Estrada presidency and administration is his shameless trampling of the sacred moral values our people hold in high esteem. (Archbishop Fernando Capalla, November 2000.)

Now: “In the spirit of humility and truth, we declare our prayerfully discerned collective decision that we do not demand her (Arroyo’s) resignation.” (Archbishop Capalla, after Arroyo admitted to “talking to a Comelec official” during the counting of votes.)

Then: “I support the call to prayer and action issued by His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Sin. These turbulent and trying times require prayer and action from all of us. The current crisis of confidence that besets our country is severe. I join the call to participate in the Mass for the Nation at Malate Church Plaza on Dec. 7 so that we can unite in prayers and in action for a peaceful and decisive resolution of this crisis. I also support former President Cory Aquino’s call for the people to stand vigil as the Senate performs its historic role for our nation.” (Arroyo, December 2000)

Now: “They are hypocrites.” (Arroyo, referring to the marchers the Philippine National Police water-cannoned last Friday. She said they had a “different agenda” than prayer in mind.) “They had it coming.” (Ignacio Bunye, referring to the same incident.)

Then: “The indispensability of the people’s freedom of speech and of assembly to democracy is now self-evident. The reasons are well put by Emerson: first, freedom of expression is essential as a means of assuring individual fulfillment; second, it is an essential process for advancing knowledge and discovering truth; third, it is essential to provide for participation in decision-making by all members of society; and fourth, it is a method of achieving a more adaptable and hence, a more stable community of maintaining the precarious balance between healthy cleavage and necessary consensus.

“It should be clear even to those with intellectual deficits that when the sovereign people assemble to petition for redress of grievances, all should listen. For in a democracy, it is the people who count; those who are deaf to their grievances are ciphers.” (The Supreme Court ruling en banc on the case of Joseph Estrada vs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, upholding Arroyo’s right to succeed Estrada.)

Now: “No permit, no rally.” (Calibrated Preemptive Response.)

Then: “Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo warned President Estrada against declaring a state of emergency to quell growing opposition to his administration. Arroyo said she would be busy in the coming days meeting with various cause-oriented, religious and political groups to discuss ‘an alternative agenda.’” (Philippine Star, Oct. 24. 2000.)

Now: “It’s way off the mark. I don’t think it (emergency rule) was considered at all.” (Ignacio Bunye, on rumors Arroyo will declare martial law. In December 2002, his boss said she would not run again.)

Then: “I recognize that making such calls (to “a Comelec official”) was a lapse in judgment. I am sorry.” (Arroyo apology speech)

Now: “You break the law, you have to account for it. This applies to everyone, the rich and the poor, the powerless and the powerful. (Ignacio Bunye, on the water-cannoning of the protesters).

Then: “Alis dyan!” (Election slogan of Ferdinand Marcos camp against President Diosdado Macapagal, 1965).

Now: “Alis dyan!” (Rejection slogan of irate people against Non-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 2005)