Too much politics....

*sigh* Been somewhat busy lately, as a result I missed posting an update yesterday.

It's quite a shame, since there were a lot of blog-worthy topics to write about the past couple of days. Maybe that's the problem. With just too many things to potentially blog about, I guess I momentarily lost focus.

Ironically enough, most of what I wanted to write about involves the current state of Philippine politics.

Among the topics that I wanted to blog about were Solicitor General Alfredo Benipayo's resignation, speculated to be connected to his less than stellar defense of the controversial Proclamation No. 1017. But then again, it certainly wasn't an easy task to defend such a questionable order. Who knows? Maybe his conscience indeed got the better of him, prompting him to quit.

I also wanted to write about the recent survey results released by Pulse Asia which revealed that virtually six out of every ten Filipinos want President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down. But there's actually nothing new about that. If anything else, the survey results only serve as a confirmation of the sentiments of the people regarding our current leadership. As usual, Malacañang has downplayed the significance of the survey results by saying that the present administration is more concerned about doing the right thing than doing what is popular. While that justification is certainly valid, personally, I'm inclined to think that there's a limit to one can do without popular support. The President should represent the collective will of the body politic, as that is the essence of a democracy. If her leadership runs askew of the will of the people, well, history has shown us that this scenario never works out in the long run.

The military has also joined the political bandwagon, claiming themselves to be the glue that holds the nation together. And sadly, they seem to have a point. One can only be dismayed by the apparent fact that the support of the military is a vital condition for any form of civilian government to remain in power. This despite the provision in our Constitution which states that civilian authority always reigns supreme over the military. Well, apparently not in this reality. If you have your doubts, one should only look back to the first and second EDSA revolutions. Both had the support of the military, hence their success. EDSA Tres and the supposed attempted takeover last February 24 didn't. That's why President Arroyo is still in power. One has to hand it to her. She did her homework.

Even the political opposition is feeling the pressure. Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel has been branded an "enemy of the state" in a video documentary released by Malacañang which details the supposed attempt by the military in cooperation with leftist rebels to topple the present government. It seems that as far as the Palace is concerned, freedom of expression doesn't include with it the right to criticize the administration.

And that's just the proverbial tip of the iceberg.

I don't know. I just don't know.

Too much politics. That's what's wrong with this country. No one is willing to give an inch, and everyone has his or her own half-assed interpretation of the law. Never mind if it's legal or not.

Not to mention a government which is so thin-skinned so as to interpret any criticism directed against it as inciting to sedition or rebellion. And our rights. Our rights! What the f*** happened to our rights?

*sigh* I really should find something else to blog about. All this politicking is giving me a headache.