Do We Really Need Democracy?

Mrs. Arroyo made a speech before the Chinese-Filipino Business Club yesterday. She lambasted her detractors and told the crowd that the government is now, stronger than ever. It was a speech directed against those who want to throw her out of office. It was a good speech but made in a wrong venue.

Why do the speech infront of businessmen? Was it for fund-raising? Surely, it was not made to further increase investor confidence. For if it did, then, it was such a foolish thing to do. One, it confirmed the fears of everybody that there's a threat to national security and two, why would businessmen care?

I don't really know if we need to be stronger or if we do need to be more independent. Arroyo said she's stronger now. Why say that? Who is she really fighting against? Is she telling the people that she's stronger and she can't be ousted from power? Probably, that's the motivation.

That speech confirmed the fact that she's now the enemy of the people. Because the people really want her out. By saying that she's stronger shows how weak is really is. If you're strong, you don't say it. You show it. And being strong does'nt mean being impertinent nor being hawak tuko to power. No.

Being strong, as a leader, should mean strong in pursuing the people's interest. A leader must always think of the national welfare. Strength should mean humility and magnanimity. Strength means letting go when the time comes for one to go. That is strong leadership.

But do we need to be stronger now? Yes, for the right reasons. We need to be strong against increasing foreign intrusions into the economy. We need to be strong against terrorism. And we need to be strong against grafters and corrupt men.

Yet, being strong against those who oppose you is not strength. Its being lusty in power.


The People does'nt need to be a strong men. We need to be more free, more democratic. Why? Being democratic affords us to further develop and compete with foreign economic powers who constantly encroach at our economic gains.

A freer and more democratic society leads to a more creative and more satisfied people. Arroyo is denying this right to us. She wants everyone to toe her line. Its fine if she's leading us to the promise land. But, she's leading us blindly into uncertain dark skies. And its time for us to desist from having her as our leader.