The GMA factor
IN the two years of the Duterte administration, despite the war on drugs, the shift in foreign policy towards China, the war against terrorists, the anti-corruption campaign, the “Build, Build, Build” program, one felt there was something missing – a coordinated, integrated movement towards nationbuilding led with sustainable passion. President Duterte’s frequent statements that he was willing if not eager to turn over the reins of government to someone else but definitely not Vice President Leni Robredo could have added to the sense that he was not keen in governing the country. His continuing insistence to be addressed as Mayor Duterte seemed a reflection of his own self-imposed limitations of his scope of authority. All these while, President Duterte seemed to be waiting for someone to run the government with if not for him.
The assumption of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) of the position of Speaker of the House could be what President Duterte is looking for. GMA has never shied away from power – EDSA Dos which ousted President Joseph Estrada, the “victory” over Fernando Poe tainted with the “Hello, Garcia” incident, and running for a lower elective position. GMA loves power and what could be done with it. As Speaker GMA, she could shape the legislative agenda of the nation and ensure a collaborative partnership with the Senate, a number of senators having worked with her in the past. The aura of being former president also has its leverage.
Unlike President Duterte, her positions in government – assistant secretary and then undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, senator, secretary of the Department of Social Work and Development, and vice president – give her extensive experience in the field of business development. Her doctorate in economics provides her the foundation to understand the interplay of economics and society. Her relationship with China are deeper than that of President Duterte. GMA can take the lead in solving many problems that confront the nation.
Using the oversight functions of the legislature, GMA can make sure that things get done in the various executive departments. Looking at the congressmen who swarmed around her during the takeover of the speakership, I could identify a number who served in her cabinet and some at sub-cabinet level. They could head the House committees that oversee their previous departments. Given their knowledge of these departments and the personnel, they know which levers to pull to ensure improved services to the Filipino people. Many of President Duterte’s appointees at cabinet and sub-cabinet levels have served with and under then President GMA. It will be relatively easy for Speaker GMA to work with them to accomplish the goals of the Duterte administration.
To me, the greatest contribution of Speaker GMA to the Duterte presidency is that she will now be the lightning rod of all criticisms from the opposition and civil society. They will rake up all the charges against her, a number of which the Supreme Court has exonerated her and her co-defendants. They will conceive of scenarios of GMA’s role in a postDuterte administration. They will try to examine every legislation passed in the hope of finding a whiff of corruption, thinking that GMA will continue the path she took then as president. They should realize that there is now a Duterte on top who will not countenance any wrong-doing even from people close to him.
With GMA as speaker, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will be relieved of the pressures of the presidency, spend his time visiting the regions and sticking to prepared speeches as he did in the last SONA, earning the love of the Filipino people.