WHERE WILL GMA BE AFTER HER TERM OF OFFICE?
This subject is a conjecture and a jocular speculation based on the events that had been widely read or watched on TV’s by Filipinos, OFW’s and foreigners. This is one of those long Filipino jokes about their government officials.
There maybe some intellectuals or street smart Filipinos out there that are asking themselves that question considering the state of affairs in the Philippines where the president has not only have the lowest rating among its past leaders but with a record breaker of the lowest minus rating. Minus ratings only happens in the Philippines folks.
From now until the end of GMA’s term, serious issues may still be raised by Filipinos, OFW’s, and foreign investors on the stability of the country. With more bad publicities and political uncertainties looming above her head, it is probably about time to think about where she might stay once she is stripped of power. Marcos stayed in Hawaii until he passed away, Estrada was imprisoned but was pardoned by GMA – bad decision which could affect her conscience and her health later. If she finishes her term, she could just walk away and maybe deal with some legal issues during her term later. She could probably enjoy her stay in the Philippines under tight security. If she materializes major issues to stay in power and extends her term, like her push for cha-cha and Federalism, she maybe forced to leave against her will. Whichever way she gets out of power, the question is still outstanding, where will she go after her term of office?
If you ask everyone from the street the above question, I bet my quarter that majority will say that she will go abroad the first chance she have. Live in another country where she could find political asylum. One country that is famous for that is the Netherlands. Well, of course she will ultimately meet face to face the father of the NPA’s. Maybe they could exchange notes and figure out how the next administration could be thrown out of power - legally.
The United States is a beautiful country and I bet that she has a lot of political friends in high places in Washington. But the US has an extradition treaty with the Philippines so it will be a mess to stay in the US for good. Lawyer’s fees to defend extradition and to seek political asylum in the States is very expensive. It may amount to millions of dollars. Let us say that the cost of winning her asylum amounted to ten million dollars and she paid it in full plus a million a year for her subsistence. Where did she gets the money to pay her lawyers and her subsistence in the States until the case is over, let’s say in about 5 years? I’m sure that she will not stay in the Ghetto, and without body guards. It should be some dwelling fit for a president. But it is unlikely that she will be extradited because of those petty lawsuits filed by the Filipino people. If so, the question in my mind is why would Uncle Sam intervene in probable and demonstrable legal issues of a sovereign country against its citizen? It is obvious. GMA has been friend with the US during her administration and the US has a lot of investments in the Philippines. If shielding GMA from the Philippine laws serves the interest of the US, Uncle Sam will perform some legal magic to protect her. Although I am not one hundred percent sure of that, there is big possibility that it may happen. Well, maybe when the dust settles down, she maybe in ill health because of stress, and will surely spend a lot of money staying alive. How about her hubby? Poor guy. I don’t want to be in his shoes. She maybe at the peak of her menopause and that could make her very pesky. Where in the US could she possibly stay? There are very little Pampamguenos in San Francisco, which is amusingly viewed by some LA Pinoys as an Ilocano Ghetto, so she may not decide to stay there. Maybe in Las Vegas? Possibly, in Wynn’s Casino in a $10,000 a night suite. Aren’t the First Gentleman staying there during Manny’s fights?
One other country that will likely grant GMA political asylum is China. The big brother. The partner in the back door transactions. Cool and accommodating. That’s what she thinks but not everyone including Uncle Sam. China will only give if she could have a hundred fold return on investment. It is obvious. Look at the goods that are sold on this planet. Eight out of ten are made in China. And look at the price. They are sometimes outrageous. Would you buy a cheap fifteen dollar shirt made in China and sold at Walmart knowing that it only cost the Chinese to manufacture it for one dollar? But you have to. It has a Polo label. It is a prestigious label. Did you say that the first gentleman wears Polo shirts? Considering that China has no extradition treaty with the Philippines, it is unlikely that she will be extradited even if there are hard evidence of irregularities in her administration pointing towards her direction. Tough luck. The next administration might as well forget them and move on. Unless the next administration is very friendly with Uncle Sam, and Uncle Sam is fully convinced that the legal issues are for its national interest, Uncle Sam might do some arm twisting on China at the United Nations. Then there may be a possibility of her extradition. It will also take some time before it happens. The next administration should be hopeful that if the legal issues against her is of no avail, the Chinese foods might do it for them by increasing the cholesterol level in her blood and somehow succumb her either to angina, stroke, or just plain plumbing block. Another issue to consider is that China knows how much investments they put on her administration at the back door during her time and they may want them back. If so, she may be in big shit if she cannot come up with the money. Are you sure she ’s got enough blood money to pay her dues?
One of her big supporter is Saudi Arabia. It will gladly cradle her in the kingdom and protect her from any country that will put a finger on her. The Saudis have oil power that even the US is hesitant to confront. To alleviate her misery and as a gesture of gratitude to her host, maybe conversion to Islam is very convenient. A slap in the face of the Catholic Church – good for them because they have a lot of idiot priests. Then she’s got supporters in the MILF and some fanatic Muslim organization. She could probably return someday to the Philippines under the Islamic banner. She is no longer covered by the Philippine law. She is a Muslim and only the Koran prevails. A Saudi Arabian citizen by religious rite and backed by the powerful crude that fuel the economy of the Philippines. The Philippine politicians will bow their heads on her feet to get more oil. She will support the cause of her brothers in Mindanao in seceding the Southern Islands from the Republic. She will be the all powerful adviser of the Saudi King in the affairs of Southeast Asia. She can summon forces from different Muslim Asian countries to cause instability in a country if her wish does not materialize. She will ultimately prevail because she knows a lot of State secrets that could be used against the administration. What will the Philippine government do if that happen? Cry to Uncle Sam for help? Are you kidding? The US will only assist if it is for its national interests and not on mercy.
The above are just fictional scenarios so extreme that it could only be considered concocted under the influence of San Miguel – quatro cantos, the good stuff. Come on guys, laugh if you will at your heart’s content or think deeply. It is common knowledge that Filipinos make jokes about their high ranking government officials and most of them are so extreme and demeaning. How many hundred Erap jokes have been circulated in emails since he was elected–deposed–and- pardoned? Hundreds of them. They were funny but demeaning and the Filipinos are enjoying reading them and passing them on to their friends and relatives. Well, I assume Erap just ignore them, and maybe sometimes have a good laugh at them.
I wish and pray that the president will finish her term clean and with no ill feelings among her colleagues and the people of her country. I wish her tons of luck. Is this too much to ask God?
