Far From Neutral Notions - Philippine politics, culture and stuff

GMA and Marcos

While worlds (and decades) apart, the similarities between the two are strinking:

1. • During the time of Marcos, the US was neck deep in cold war paranoia. In fact, crying “Communist!” was Marcos’ favorite ploy to get more funds from Uncle Sam, particularly in the late 70’s when the export industry was failing - in large part due to the mishandling of the coconut, construction and sugar industries by Imelda, Kokoy, and a myriad of other cronies. Add to the fact that, after the fiasco that was the Vietnam War, the Philippines was the US’s biggest (and often only) ally in Asia; America’s image was taking a beating. So Marcos used that paranoia to full advantage - getting loans, money and arms.
   • After the 9/11 tragedy, GMA has taken US President George W. Bush’s call to arms against terrorism (seemingly) to heart, issuing calls for unification against the terrorist threat. There has been heightened security in almost all public areas, particularly after the Valentine’s Day bombings this year, and the escape (and subsequent ‘rubout’) of alleged Al-Qaeda operative Al-Ghozi in 2003. Defense spending has been rising for some time now, mostly thanks to GMA crying ‘Terrorist!’ every so often, even when there is reason to belive that some of these attacks are being faked. GMA is using the US’ paranoia to get more aid from the states.
2. • Marcos and Imelda were very good at making things up and doing whatever it takes to get what they craved - power, recognition, money - including massive election fraud.
   • Apparently, so is GMA.
3. Both have an annoying habit of disregarding what their actions and expenditure may do to the country.
4. • Marcos was once described as a man riding a wild tiger (I think it was one of the Lopezes, but I’m not too sure - I’ve heard tell it was Luis Taruc describing something else entirely, but… *shrug*) who can’t get off lest the tiger eat him.
   • With all the trouble GMA is in, the analogy seems rather appropos.
5. Both seem to have an insatiable lust for power.
6. • Marcos has a history of, well, taking political opponents out of commission.
   • Just wait, GMA may well do just that too.

Creepy? I definitely think so. I just hope she’s not TOO similar. On a sidenote, just so you can see how similar today’s situation is to the Martial Law years, check this out.

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