Gloria in trouble II

Gloria in trouble II

Philippine Arroyo perhaps believed she was taking pro-active action. But in apologizing for a 'lapse in judgment' in talking to an election official last year and announcing that her husband was leaving the country to 'remove himself from any situation that will cast doubt on my presidency', she raised even more questions among her critics.

Her husband, son and brother-in-law are accused of benefiting from illegal gambling, an allegation they deny. Arroyo clearly is determined to stay on. And indeed, there is little likelihood she can be forced from office. Another People Power movement is not on the cards.

To be sure, Arroyo has said that 'nothing can stop my administration from implementing...our reform agenda'.

That is precisely what ordinary folks hope. But as one middle- class professional in Makati that this newspaper spoke with yesterday suggested, perhaps the best way to achieve this is to 'prove she means business and put all the questions to rest'. -- The Straits Times, Singapore