In the Presence of Vultures

In a country where poverty and hunger is prevalent, the president and her party was seen on two different occasions exhibiting how callous they can be. While the world’s most power nation’s president is seen munching on hotdogs and burgers, the Philippine president wined and dined with the finest foods and wines money can buy. As her spokespersons try to justify such insulting events, one wonders how many times during her more than 70 trips abroad has these things happened.

Our government auditors have reported that Gloria Arroyo had in fact overspent. In her eight agonizing (for the Filipinos) years as our sitting president, she had actually not delivered anything for the people. After every trip she made, she would report the investments are coming and yet multi-national companies have in fact been leaving the country. She’s supposed to step down in 2010 so it seems that she’s treating herself and her allies to wonderful trips abroad at the expense of the taxpayers money.

Never have I seen such extravagance since the time of Imelda Marcos. From the way Arroyo spends, looks like she is bent on draining the country’s coffersThe outrage is spreading and Filipino workers abroad are now reporting how lavish a lifestyle our jet-setting president has during her foreign trips. In country where more than 40 percent go hungry everyday, these news is a slap on our faces.

Her predecessors took only a handful of delegates during their foreign trips, but with Arroyo, it’s a horde. And that includes spouses and even children of her most rabid allies. Wel at least more and more cynics and skeptics are now more aware of how evil this administration is. I hope that the US and the rest of the world will be prudent in giving aid and support to the Philippines while Arroyo is in power. A bigger portionof these end up in the pockets of this gang of thieves.

Watching history in the making  as Pres. Barack Obama takes his oath of office left me inspired and so full of hope. I’m not an American but I can feel how proud Americans must be. With Pres. Obama’s election, America has been freed from the shackles of discrimination. Once again, the United  States of America proved to the international community why the US is the leader of the world.

His speech was awe-inspiring and anyone who heard it will be left with so much hope. My country, the Philippines has experienced and is experiencing oppression. We kicked out a dictator 22 years ago only to put into office another oppressor who has been sitting in office for the last 8 years.

What gave me hope is when Pres. Obama said, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit, to the silencing of dissent, you are on the wrong side of history.” These words struck deep and touched me. Our current illegal sitting president stole the presidency twice. First was when she hoodwinked civil society into kicking a president out of office, and the second was when she rigged the presidential election of 2004. George Bush cuddled her because she supported Bush’s war on terror.

She is now trying to perpetuate herself into eternal reign by trying to change our system of government from presidential to parliamentary. Her term is set to end in June of 2010 and she had been pushing for charter change to legitimize her hold on power.

Her administration has been rocked by scandal after scandal. Every indignation by the people was met with force. During her term, killings and enforced disappearances has been continuously rising. Journalists, judges, student activists and members of the opposition has been either harassed or killed. Whistle blowers were slapped with spurious charges while her allies who stole the people’s money remain to be free. Her son’s are both congressmen and have been controlling  congress through bribery.

Pres. Obama started out as a lowly community organizer. Community organizers in my country who educate the people of their rights are branded enemies of the state. With Pres. Obama’s election and with the words he uttered during his speech, I am hoping that US policy with regards to my country will finally change. The UN special rapporteur found Gloria Arroyo’s administration guilty of human rights violations. I hope that Pres. Obama will be instrumental in helping my people be freed from her oppression. Not by force but making it difficult for her to further suppress and oppress my people.

Leaders may have the best resumes or even years of experience but may still not be a good leader. There were many who claimed to possess these but still came out short. Even if one does not have these attributes, he may still be the best leader a nation can have. At a time when not only America but the whole world is on turmoil, the best asset a leader can have is inspiration. A leader who inspires can unite a divided nation. Perhaps this is one characteristic John McCain do not have. The world was so excited at the thought that an African American could be the next president of the greatest country in the world. If Obama got the world on its toes, Americans who have been cynical woke up from their deep slumber. He empowered a generation known to be self-centered and carefree. He inspired the youth and they came out in droves.

He may not have the experience McCain has or the political intelligence of a Clinton but he showed the world what community organizer can accomplish. Perhaps Americans and even the peoples of the world saw themselves in him. He did not come from some wealthy political family. He is a self-made man. One thing I am sure of, he inspired millions and this is what got him elected. His critics and the hard right may belittle his credentials but he showed what heart and conviction is all about. His transition team shows that he is a thinking man. He is not a maverick who pounces on every opportunity to earn points with the electorate. Perhaps this is why the Republicans had a tough time destroying him. Despite the troubles America faces today, Obama’s prudence has shown that he is a born leader. He can inspire his people. This is a leader’s greatest asset during times like this. If he can stir to action a generation, I am sure he can do the same with the rest of his countrymen. Good luck President Obama, you inspire us all.