By Raïssa Robles
Virgilio GARCillano
It was a personal encounter with one of Mrs Arroyo’s closest aides that made me realize that she cheated her way to a six-year term that ended last year.
I will not name that aide but I will say I had known him for years and years. Which is why what he said to me struck me dumb with the horror of it.
It was during the annual Christmas party of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) when I met that aide, following the Hello Garci tapes disclosure and Arroyo’s “I am sorry” speech.
“What was that all about?” I asked the aide, referring to then presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye’s “I have two tapes” speech.
Because of Bunye’s denials, it dawned on a shocked public that during the 2004 presidential elections, the military was eavesdroppping and taping the mobile phone conversations of then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano with various persons including Mrs Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel.
“What was that all about?,” I asked the aide during that Focap Christmas party.
His reply stunned me even more. He said frankly, “You want Fernando Poe Jr. to be President?”
In that instant, I knew Arroyo had cheated and the Palace officials around her were part of a grand cover-up.
youth4change philippines says
One of Raissa’s seriously profound commentaries stunned me. Prove GMA cheated and install FPJ as president in her stead. I haven’t thought about this but would it be possible? Thus far, it’s unprecedented. Can the nation indeed give honor to the rightful presidential victor even after his death? We know the nation has seen the virtues of former president Estrada when we saw the horror and depravity of his successor’s rule; in fact, the people are humbled by his startling humility. Now, I guess, it’s high time we, the Filipino nation, likewise accord the commensurate respect and honor to the man, so badly defeated not by force of arms but by force of far wittier men who presided the destiny of our land like a Lord of Manor over his hapless, bent and misshapened subjects…Ladies and Gents, give back the crown to him who truly won and deserved it!
Susan Tagle says
in the end, kaming mga malalapit kay FPJ ang may huking halakhak. Bittersweet!
Susan Tagle says
huling halakhak
raissa says
The least, maybe, that the Philippines can do is that once the cheating is proven in court, Gloria Arroyo should be stricken off the list of the Philippine presidents. And Fernando Poe Jr. should be placed there.
This might be a suit filed in the Supreme Court. It would be unprecedented.
chi yap says
Hahaha! Agree Miss Susan Tagle…we supporters of FPJ have the last laugh! Matutuwa ang tatay ko sa artikulo mong ito, Raissa. Thanks, you will make an old man very happy! :)
Willy Prilles, Jr. says
I’d like to see this happen. But still, GMA will still be in that list, not because he was directly elected by the people but because she succeeded Joseph Estrada after the successful Edsa 2 coup.
raissa says
You’re right. Thanks for the correction.
berntench says
over breakfast this morning, my dad mentioned that one of his friends (a GMA ally) told him that with all of the allegations and evidence mounting to her crimes, GMA is thinking of just leaving the country–specifically, Portugal. a part of me wishes that this happens. imagine amassing all that wealth, and not be able to use it? and how can she get away with being a wanted person? how can she hide herself? i seriously believe that looking behind your back and living in paranoia is an even bigger punishment than jail.
Tom Magpoc says
Ma’am Raissa, I believe GMA’s name should be stricken off the list of Philippine presidents. Her installation as successor of Erap at the height of EDSA 2 was illegal. Erap left Malacañang, but did not resign – imho…