GMA

Having always been a politics junkie, I have been trying hard to get my head around politics in this country. There are many differences to home but I think the biggest one is the personality-driven style of politics. Rather than joining a political party the way you become a politician here is to be likeable, have connections and then raise a hell of a lot of money for your campaign.

A perfect example of this is the current president of the Philippines, GMA. Yes in this country obsessed with acronyms they even have one for their Prez! GMA is short for Gloria Macupagal Arroyo. GMA inspires a lot of passion in the Philippines- everyone has an opinion on her, especially Manila taxi drivers and currently those opinions seem very polarized.

Initially GMA was a really popular President. She stepped into the Presidential role in 2001 after former President Estrada was ousted promising sweeping changes and an end to government corruption. But it seems that power went to her head...although she said she would not re-contest the Presidential elections she changed her mind and ran again in 2004. She won the election but under very dubious circumstances. As well as claims she used taxpayer money for her campaign, GMA has also been also accused of election rigging. A conversation with her speaking to an Official of the Commission of Elections was recorded and has been used widely distributed by the opposition. There have been a number of attempts to impeach her but so far the opposition hasn’t got the numbers.

The opposition isn’t giving up- they continue to hold demonstrations calling for her to step down. Meanwhile GMA is doing her best to increase her popularity. One of her strategies seems to be to associate herself with major public work projects. You see her smiling face on billboards everywhere telling you how wonderful the new road or tunnel that has been built will be for the country. More recently she’s been reaching out to the church for support. At Easter apparently inspired by the sanctity of life, she scapped the death penalty and last week she put a stop to a pilot education program on sexual health that had been widely criticised by bishops. All seems a bit desperate to me...I wonder just how long GMA can survive?