PSIA Night With Mareng Winnie

"The problem with political jokes is they get elected."
Henry Cate, VII

Prof. Solita "Mareng Winnie" Monsod was the guest speaker at PSIA General Assembly last night held at Hotel Intercontinental Manila, Makati City. She discussed the status of the economy and shared her views on the political situation.

Using economic indicators, she explained that the economy actually performed better during the Arroyo presidency compared with the Aquino, Ramos and Estrada presidency. She stressed a similar point in her recent Inquirer article.

She accurately pointed the negative forces that contribute to chaos and to turmoil in our political atmosphere.
1. Power Grabbers. She slammed the Military Adventurists, Civil Society (those advocating a ruling council) and Congress (those forcing Chc-Cha). I agree that an unpopular change in power structure would only further hurt the economy.
2. Power Abusers. Arroyo, Gonzales, the other Gonzales, Abalos, Puno, etc.
3. Political Dynasty. Before, members of the same family run for different position. Now, members of the same family run for the same position. Shameless!
4. Balimbings or Turncoats.

She is unimpressed with Chiz and Alan Peter. She hates Leon Guerrero's guts and will vote for JoJo (kahit daw siya nasusuka). She called LTSG. T a coward. She will still vote for Edong because of his impressive performance as senator. Surprisingly, she will also vote for TAO a.k.a. "Dancing Queen" because of her passed bills. She will vote straight KAPATIRAN because of their platform-based campaign.

The last time I voted, I wrote Jovito Salonga on the ballot (Years ago, the issue against him was his age. Now, at age 87, he still kicks ass. Along with Quezon and Magsaysay, he could have been one of the greatest presidents we had.) The following election, my name was missing in the voting list. Later on, I honestly lost motivation to register again. Perhaps I would once again enthusiastically practice my suffrage right when we finally have automated voting and counting.

Seriously, do you think that after the elections we could finally achieve political stability and get our act together as people? This is what my crystal ball tells me. In the end, the administration will manage to capture engough seats to retain control of Congress. Consequently, future impeachment initiatives will never prosper. Regardless of the election result (12-0/6-6/0-12), the Senate will continue to be perceived as inutile. The best legacy the next Senate could give is to prevent Cha-Cha in its present form into becoming a law. Despite what the survey says, Chavit will win a Senate slot. Arroyo will rule until 2010. The status quo will remain.