In the political crisis sweeping Thailand, one central figure seems to be keeping his hands off: the much-revered King Bhumibol Abdulyadev. In earlier coups and counter-coups, he would step in and restore order. Still fresh in the world?s memory is that image of two warring generals kneeling before the king as he talked sense into their heads. But now there?s very little of the king?s hand as the crisis escalates amid the dogged determination of the activists not to surrender until Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat leaves his office. It could be that the king is back-channeling or weighing the militants? fury against Somchai against deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra?s strong hold on the rural areas. But this crisis shouldn?t be allowed to fester much longer as it would affect not just Thailand?s political and economic life but also the stature of one of the world?s oldest monarchies.
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In his campaign for votes for Charter change, House Speaker Prospero Nograles seeks to assure that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?s term would not be extended beyond 2010. The problem is that few people believe him, suspecting that once the floodgates are opened anything can happen. As the surveys show, there?s a strong sentiment against extension not just of President Arroyo?s term but those of all elected officials. As I wrote earlier, the junking of the impeachment complaint by the House committee on justice didn?t create too much of a ripple because people want Ms Arroyo to finish her term and concentrate on our economy?s stability. But they also want elections in 2010.
Many citizens realize that our 21-year-old Constitution needs a lot of revision, but fast gaining ground is the idea pushed by Dr. Jose Abueva and other leaders that Charter change ought to be undertaken by an independent constitutional convention, or Con-con, with delegates elected by the people, and not by the legislators convening as a constituent assembly. To save money and commit the next administration to Charter-change, people want Con-con delegates elected simultaneously with national and local officials in 2010. I think this is a great idea which should be supported by all.
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The authorized biography of former Speaker Jose de Venecia, ?Global Filipino,? by British journalist Brett Decker, was launched yesterday in Washington, D.C., the first of a series of launches in key US cities by Regnery Publishing Inc. The Manila launch is scheduled for Dec. 19 at the Podium in Ortigas Center. The mention of De Venecia?s book during the impeachment hearing and the prominent play-up of its parts in the Inquirer have helped stir great interest in the book, and the National Bookstore chain has been getting email even from overseas Filipino workers inquiring about get it. It ordered 1,000 copies from Regnery but only 500 copies have been shipped to Manila.
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It should be noted that De Venecia?s official biography was not written in nine months or conceived on the night he lost the speakership last February. Such conjectures would not do justice to a career studded with success as well as a few crushing failures, such as losing the presidency and being ousted as speaker after holding the position for an unprecedented five terms. As Decker put it, through the vagaries of fate, JDV has shown extraordinary resilience; he has walked tall over the political catastrophes and the economic flameouts of his life and emerged ever the unshakeable optimist.
Just like De Venecia?s life and career, his biography went through several stages. During the years following his 1998 defeat by Joseph Estrada, De Venecia worked on his first-person narrative covering his early years in Dagupan City up to 1998, but his manuscript lay dormant until he met Decker, opinion editor of the Wall Street Journal, who showed keen interest in writing his story. The second stage began in 2004, and Decker would gain unprecedented access to the records of De Venecia?s life, including invitations to Malacañang functions and a long interview with Estrada in Tanay.
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The book evolved, with Decker receiving enormous assistance most notably from former House deputy secretary general for information Noel Albano and consultant Johnny Gatbonton, themselves accomplished writers. But just when it was ready to go through final editing in early 2008, a major political earthquake shook De Venecia?s life, reshaping the political landscape. His long alliance with his former running mate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo went up in flames and a new ending had to be written. The final rework was completed in June, enriched by a decision to include a chapter on De Venecia?s visions and advocacies and an epilogue.
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This Thursday, Dec. 4, a forum, titled ?Rekindling the Fire,? will be held at the Escaler Hall of the Ateneo de Manila University on the life and works of the late former senator Raul Manglapus, or RSM, on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary, sponsored by the Ateneo School of Government, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Centrist Policy Institute.
Forum I, from 1:30 to 2:50 p.m., is titled ?Personal Reflections on RSM as Statesman and Social Reformer,? moderated by Manuel Quezon III with former vice president Tito Guingona, former local government undersecretary Lito Lorenzano and Larry Henares as panelists; Forum II, from 3 to 4 p.m., will have Jose Concepcion, Presidential Commission on Good Government Chair Camilo Sabio and former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. as panelists.
Forum III, from 4:30 to 6 pm., will feature remarks by Fr. Bienvenido Nebres and a lecture on ?Christian-Muslim Democracy and the Importance of Party Ideologies,? with Louie Lagdameo, Transport Undersecretary Gene Mamondiong, and Senators Richard Gordon and Aquilino Pimentel as panelists. This will be followed by cocktails at the Manny Pangilinan Hall, with music by the Executive Band of which the jazz-playing RSM was the leading light.
