Arroyo's task ahead<\/p>\n
The Philippines have seen it all before. Many are those who
\ndraw a parallel with how the popular protests 15 years ago forced
\nFerdinand Marcos to resign as president, and with how it was
\npossible for Corazon Aquino to take his place.<\/p>\n
Also now it is a woman, Gloria Arroyo, taking over, and now
\nthe resignation is forced by long, popular protests.<\/p>\n
What in the end brought down President Joseph Estrada was
\nneither the popular wrath, nor the impeachment process against
\nhim. The decisive factor seems to have been that he lost the
\nsupport of the military and his own government. It was even
\nrumored that the army chief and the former President Fidel Ramos
\nfor several months had planned to remove Estrada.<\/p>\n
The task awaiting Arroyo is hardly enviable. The people have
\nbeen forced to get used to political chaos, armed uprisings and
\neconomic instability.<\/p>\n
Arroyo must create a trustworthy system, she must be able to
\nattract foreign investors and handle high unemployment. And,
\nanalysts ask, what line will she take with her predecessor, who
\napparently will remain in the Philippines? Many are those who
\nwant to see him put to trial; the memory of Marcos being able to
\ngo into exile is deep.<\/p>\n
That the new president already during the installation
\nceremony appealed for unity is not surprising. Great things are
\nexpected from her -- which is both hopeful and worrying.<\/p>\n
-- Dagens Nyheter, Stockholm, Sweden<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/arroyos-task-ahead-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }