Amidst the economic gains, comes another shot of the power grab.

I only wanted to prevent soldiers and us from spilling our brother's blood in our land again.

I wanted PGMA to hold on and patch up the loopholes that breeds corruption, which will provide her a face-saving exit. This would also prevent the other figures with vested interest from sparking coups just to catapult themselves and shield us from the negative effects of coups or mutinees.

The biggest concern is the economy. Preventing coups will definitely save our economic gains from being driven back.

The process, in turn, will benefit us considering that loopholes will have been patched up before she exits. That will give the next leader less room for committing abuse and corruption.

Sad to say, people like Gen. Lim and Col. Querubin have already gone past their temper and patience. The actions of these principled and respected men will definitely affect a lot of men from the AFP.

A prolonged state of distrust and demoralization will definitely drag down the AFP to the point of disarray and infirmity.

We cant let this coups go on like this for 5 years. We need to do something.

The point here is that "when a leader other than PGMA is at the helm, there will be less coups and less people will criticize the president's legitimacy". That will mean we will be getting a much more peaceful environment. The enemies of the state and the coup plotters will have less reasons to call for the incumbent's ouster.

Nonetheless, Cory had 7 coup attempts during her stint and the majority of the people supported her. Gringo claimed that she's not fit to run our country but the majority still supported her.

It is unfair for PGMA to be treated like this, especially when she is being attacked by people with questionable interest as well. Cory who is believed to be supporting the Reds - - one of the major reasons why Gringo's men launched the coups -- that's why we can't rely on her too much. FVR is pushing for cha-cha because he knows his dogs can take the seats of power for him.

I suggest that we shield PGMA from them more by not supporting these two people.

But another thing that is hurting the soldiers and the public including me, is the seemingly lack of EFFORT TO FIX THE LOOPHOLES THAT BREEDS CORRUPTION.

The govt should work on these issues;

1) Amendment of the impeachment process.

2) Patching up the loopholes in the system that breed corruption.

3) Setting aside cha-cha until 2030.

4) Implementing the computerization of the elections.

If the current govt cant do something about this then we should act swiftly to put in a new leader and make the remaining 5 years a better period for us.

In fairness to PGMA and considering our economy, we should give PGMA a chance to make up for her mistake BY RESOLVING THESE 4 ISSUES.

If she can not make a satisfying effort especially in the first 2 issues, then we should do something to end these cycles of coups and change the leadership so that we can have a more peaceful govt.

What should be done to protect our nation's interest in case PGMA is ousted?

1) Let VP Noli de Castro take the Presidency. No election should be done and WE MUST LET NOLI FINISH HIS TERM.

2) Implement the resolution of the 4 issues mentioned above.

Then again, it will be unfair for PGMA to appease the destabilizers at this time.

WE SHOULD GIVE PGMA MORE TIME TO PROVE HERSELF BY IMPLEMENTING THE 4 ISSUES.

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Okay now. For the poll, considering the above article, please make your vote.

BTW, thanks, Sir TOPP, for creating the poll for me.

Things may turn better having a new leader..... BUT TIME IS JUST NOT RIGHT YET... because a lot of groups and personalities are eager to take this opportunity for their own selfish goals.

We are just opening our nation to more problems and UNCERTAINTIES.

We should instead stop supporting the destabilizers and let the economy gain more grounds.

LET'S ANALYZE THINGS FURTHER.

PGMA needs to satisfy us by fixing the system nonetheless.

Else, it will really be better having a new leader to achieve that peaceful environment where there are much less reasons for the critics to feast on and attack the incumbent with.

too many questions.....

Is it wise for her to relinquish power?
no - why should she?

Shall we amend our Impeachment Law?
yes - make it more fair so that people will shut up when the process does not end with the way they expected it to be

Patch up loopholes of the system that breeds corruption?
hell yes

Setting Aside Cha-Cha?
no.... proceed with federalism and parliamentary elections

Computerized our Election Results?
hell yes

:exactly:
This will prevent the people and the military from resorting to violence just to overthrow an unpopular leader.

That will be the greatest thing.

I respect your view on this one.

Nonetheless, my concern is about not letting the cunning players today to manipulate the system. Parliamentary does not fit our times. We will only make the situation worse because the dominant parties or gangs or syndicate or dynasty will still rule our system.

Parliamentary is ok for me, but not after 20 to 30 years. By that time the old gangs have either died or retired. :drunk:

Play it safe, guys. Play the game well.... FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY.

If we are not sure about what's gonna happen if in case we let this plot goes through, then it will be better if we'll just let PGMA do the fixing for now until she steps out of office ... OR UNTIL A BETTER LEADER AND A MORE FITTING TIME COME OUT.

The rebels and the opportunists are joining the fray, which will definitely mess things up further for us. That would mean WE WILL BE IN THE SAME PIT OR EVEN WORSE.

The political culture of the Philippines lies on the unprincipled choices of "who I like and who I don't in terms of personality loyalty and partisanship, thus, one can or will stick to his own illusions to be loyal to the personality or party of the politician regardles of how critical and dubious the issues behind that politician.

This is the kind of mentality that hinders the much needed reforms in our political system because they played a role of supporting a regime that ignores the sanctity of the laws of the land and deprive the basic rights and freedom of the people to scrutinize the legal and moral aspects of the leadership and most of all the curtailment of the freedom of the press to spread the vital information to the mainstream.

The basic reforms which is the subject matter of this poll even realized, has no effect at all if the same " Shenanigans" are still out there in power with more of it's kind to follow.'

With the way things are going right now, considering all the players plus the opportunists and the communists rebels, i believe it will better for us all to...

.. allow the incumbent to enjoy that unprincipled support to deprive these opportunists and other annoying elements of the chance to ruin us further.

The game is sort of using pain to quell pain.

Anyway, the incumbent is doing her best to get the economy going.

Considering our case now, in order to win this war againts MANIPULATION AND CORRUPTION, we can set aside asking ourselves of the sanctity of the laws and that of our own principles to give the one in power the opportunity to limit the windows the opportunists can realize.

With this, at least only the incumbent is enjoying this opportunity.

We are not compromising our principles and the sanctity of the laws here actually. We are just allowing the dominant beast to kill the other beasts so that when the beast loses its teeth and claws later (in 2010 maybe or .... whichever comes earlier), ... THERE'LL BE NO MORE LEFT OF THEIR KIND WHO CAN PREY ON US.

God defeated the evil gripping Sodom and Gomorrah with evil, when he destroyed the whole place with fire.

I agree with flipzi's ideas on the matter, except that GMA should only step down if she cannot be able to proceed with the reforms mentioned.

I still think that presidential-unitary is still the best form and system in running the government, provided that certain things are ammended in the constitution. It is simple, and provides the most checks and balances which is needed in a corrupt political culture which we have today.

Shifting to parliamentary-federal eliminates these checks and balances because the executive and legislative branch are combined into one unicameral body. Also, local governments are given way too much independence and no checks and balances from the national government in a federal system. Implementation of laws, taxes, etc. are also difficult in a federal form since independent states will make their own legislation on a lot of things, aside from the national legislation. These disadvantages were already discussed in multiple books concerning federalism, which shows that the unitary is far more simpler which is better in the Philippine setting.

:exactly:
If you shift the way the govt is administered by shifting to parliamentary, EXPECT THAT THESE CORRUPT BREED WILL HAVE MORE CAPABILITY TO STEAL AND ABUSE THEIR POWER.
They control everything.

With less eyes and hands to scrutinize their actions, expect that they'll PLUNDER THE GOVT MORE.