Arroyo’s ‘I am sorry’ and a US envoy’s thoughts

Carmela Fonbuena

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

An American envoy had predicted Mrs Arroyo would survive the 'Hello, Garci' scandal in the 'absence of new scandals'

MANILA, Philippines – In June 2005, reporters asked then US Charge d’Affaires Joseph Mussomeli to comment on the televised “I am sorry” statement of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, when she conceded “lapse in judgment” for calling up a poll commissioner during the canvassing of the 2004 presidential elections. She denied she cheated her way to win that race.

What Mussomeli told the media then was different from what he told his government.

He told the Philippine media: “The US government supports transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. As the U.S. has repeatedly said, the search for truth is always a good thing, as is also abiding by the Constitution and due process.”

The cable he sent his government was richer in details. He stressed that Arroyo’s apology may be “too little, too late.” 

This was Mussomeli’s entire “comment” on Arroyo’s apology:

“Many believe that Arroyo’s dramatic statement was “too little, too late” but that it may still stem the tide — for now — in the absence of new scandals. Even some opposition figures have predicted that no further major public demonstrations are likely during the rainy season, which will last until late fall.

“Arroyo may have bought some time, but her course is inherently a risky one. The opposition predictably shows no signs of relenting in its drive to evict her from office. Most of her supporters are likely even more lukewarm than before.

“Her “will she or won’t she” approach to the public confession, coupled with a similar apparent indecision over the extension of the current Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Abu and appointment of his successor, heighten the perception of a weak and vacillating politico, failing to demonstrated desirable leadership skills. She will definitely face a difficult time to advance her substantive agenda, much less to (re)gain significant levels of public and political confidence.

Citing embassy sources, the same cable explained that Arroyo made the statement after a June 26, 2005 meeting with the late President Corazon Aquino and Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, who had asked her to explain the ‘Hello, Garci’ cheating controversy.

Then Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and then Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr, the cable said, played key roles in convincing Arroyo to address the public.

Purisima would a month later join the “Hyatt 10,” the group of Cabinet secretaries who withdrew their support from Arroyo because of the controversy. Cruz would also resign a year later.

Mrs Arroyo lost a number of allies after her apology. The US cable detailed how former Arroyo key ally then Sen Franklin Drilon of the Liberal Party “applauded the speech but urged the President to follow up with ‘concrete actions’ to implement necessary reforms.” The Liberal Party would later decide to join the opposition to become Arroyo’s staunchest critic. 

Another Arroyo key ally, then Tarlac Rep Jesli Lapus, told the envoy about the negative impact of the apology. Lapus “privately expressed doubt Arroyo could be able to move forward with additional needed economic measures,” according to the cable.

Lapus, according to Mussomeli, also said that the Cabinet members had “reportedly already convinced Arroyo also to ask her husband Mike to leave the country for an undetermined timeframe, and to convince her son Mikey and brother-in-law Iggy to resign from Congress due to reports linking them to jueteng (illegal gambling) profiteering.” – Rappler.com

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