Leave it to the Taxi Drivers

I happen to be in Manila today, and have been fascinated by the rapt attention that all of the taxi drivers devote to the hearings on the Arroyo tapes (see the stories here, here and here.)

I know that most people in the world don't follow Philippine politics (and that is probably a good thing for the mental health of the rest of the world). But the this country is a very important part of the developing world - and a key location in the struggle against islamofascism. But there is an important development there that should certainly cause Americans concern - perhaps as much concern as that given by the Manila taxi drivers.

Aparently Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had a rather "interesting" conversation with the Commission on Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcilliano that happened to be caught on tape.

The audiotape reportedly contains the wiretapped recordings showing Arroyo talking to Garcillano about rigging the 2004 presidential polls. Arroyo had apologized earlier this week for what she called a "lapse in judgment" that had her calling an election official, which she did not name, to ask about election results last year. She said her call was meant only to protect her votes.

Of the eight or so taxis that we boarded today during the hearings on this matter, every taxi had the radio tuned to proceedings.
It seems that Ms. Arroyo is being asked to step down by a growing group:

Contacted by the Inquirer, former Senator Raul Roco also said Ms Arroyo had "lost the moral right to govern" and should now step down "for the sake of national unity."

"Can you say that she was a good shepherd?" asked Roco, 63-year-old Alyansa ng Pag-Asa standard-bearer who was the first to concede defeat to Ms Arroyo in the May 2004 presidential race.

"We're not the ones calling for her and her officials to resign. No, they are the ones doing so ... by what they have done. It's finished," said Roco.

"It's pure common sense. The key element for development is honesty. How can people follow you if you're lying?" said Roco.

De Villa, also a former Armed Forces chief of staff and leader of the moderate Reporma Party, announced he was joining calls by non-government organizations seeking the establishment of a "truth commission."

He said the commission should be composed of prominent Filipinos led by former President Corazon Aquino. It would look into the alleged tapped telephone conversation showing Ms Arroyo pressing Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano for a one-million-vote margin.

When asked about the result of these hearings, the taxi drivers all had animated answers. The consensus: Arroyo will be out of office before the end of July.

I have always believed that you can take what the taxi drivers say to the bank. They have their hand on the pulse of a community. So long Ms. Arroyo!