GMA called an election official during the counting of votes.

That phone call alone is unethical. That alone is enough for her to step down.

In the private sector, if my company CEO did such a thing, I’d call for a resignation. Why should it be different for public officials?

It’s wrong to absolve her just because the economic indicators appear to be rosy. She’s plainly corrupt. Period.

So if even if we say 50% of Filipinos love her, I in all humility ask “Are they frigging blind and deaf?”

It’s very simple. We should take one step at a time by making sure all public officials are held to account.

The Professional Heckler on the Top Ten Things to Observe When President Arroyo Delivers Her 7th State of the Nation Address:

1: In 2001, the president read a letter written in a “bangkang papel” by three Payatas children. What will she read this time?
a: A text message from an OFW jailed in Saudi Arabia
b: A message in a bottle sent by a kidnapped Filipino in Nigeria
c: A ransom demand by MILF rebels who are keeping five un-retrieved heads of killed marine soldiers

…
d: A letter folded into a paper airplane each thrown by Senate President Pimentel (letter from environmentalists) and Speaker of the House Garcia (letter from MayniLA informal settlers along da riles who were relocated only AFTER the election)
e: A tear-soaked letter from Mrs. Burgos
f: An epitaph-like letter from Musa (Dimasidsing)

A “presidency [that]has been so preoccupied with political survival that it no longer performed the more important task of leading the nation toward progress and development,” and where “decision-making and resource management shifted from national issues to concerns of survival of the presidency, which included dealings with members of Congress for loyalties and alliances that will ensure the needed protection of the President.” – by Dr. Segundo Romero, who authored the Tan Report.

question for any one who cares to answer: do you have any comparative statistic as to the number of prosecution/conviction for corruption under all the presidents after marcos? i think this is the area to look at to determine whether gma is more effective at combatting corruption, not the number of unsubstantiated allegations.

Don’t worry, it’s not like this was a private conversation, even if I addressed the question directly to you.

Anyway, thank you for answering the question. I must say that while investments may be coming in now, my answers to my questions to you would have to be in the negative. GMA may be credited with certain things, like being a very savvy political player who has managed to maintain her hold on power, but in the areas of public accountability and good governance, her record is very poor. This is based on my own observation and my experiences with the institutions of government, corroborated by what is reported by media. Corruption has increased rather than decreased, and the resulting cost of doing business has increased as well. My guess is that, if we had a leader who was not so divisive and who made government truly accountable and responsive to the needs of the people, we would be seeing much greater economic gains than what we are having now.

Anyway, at least I’m clear now that, on these points, we shall have to agree to disagree. Thanks very much.

To mike, sorry for buttin on your question, but i did say I’ll “grab” the Opportunity.