Credibility

Reforms require credibility of implementors

Inquirer News Service

THE CURRENT political crisis is yet another strong reminder of the need for strengthening the institutions of this country. Of primary importance here is, at the very least, creating an impression that this is a country where laws are superior to the people who are supposed to implement them; this is necessary for the successful formulation and implementation of urgent reforms.

The big question is: In strengthening the institutions of this country, where do we begin? Our answer: we begin with the resignation of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She has lost her moral ascendancy to govern. It disappeared with the admission that she talked with an official of the Commission on Elections during the processing of election results. But even if we assume that the conversation did not in fact involve any impropriety, still it created the perception that irregularities occurred.

Are we asking too much of Ms Arroyo? After all, the allegations of electoral fraud have yet to be proven in the courts. We do not believe so.

First, assuming her administration sincerely wants genuine reforms, she should remember such undertaking requires credibility. How can reforms be effected if the person tasked with implementing them is herself lacking in credibility? And can they be implemented in an atmosphere of serious political uncertainty?

Second, her continued stay in office distracts other government institutions from focusing on their primary functions. A good example here is the House of Representatives. Instead of formulating laws, our representatives are immersed in long debates over the Gloriagate recordings.

And what will happen if the impeachment complaint surprisingly leads to an impeachment trial? Ms Arroyo, as an economist, knows that means spending precious time that could have been used for something else.

Finally, an extra-constitutional way of changing leadership is being suggested by not a few sectors. Is this something that we really want? The chances of avoiding the above can be enhanced with the simple stroke of a pen -- "I resign!"

We would like to conclude this by addressing two propositions brought forth by this turmoil.

The first assumes that no one else of the more than 80 million Filipinos (some of whom are successfully managing foreign corporations) other than Ms Arroyo, is capable of managing this country. This is a great insult to the Filipino people. In the first place, has Ms Arroyo really done a good job managing the country?

The other proposition is: The economy will collapse with the fall of the Arroyo administration. Sure, a new president exposes us to such risks, but are we not facing such risks already?

Economics is not the immediate problem. It's politics, stupid! (With apologies to former US President Bill Clinton.)

UPE RODRIGUEZ, AC CUEVAS and CONCERNED FACULTY MEMBERS, Department of Economics, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna