With the Con-Ass dead in the water, and with the administration floating the rumor that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will opt for a congressional seat when her term of office formally ends in June 2010, the nation is now assured that there will be general elections in 2010.

Except for the nation whose fortune is always in jeopardy, the majority of the population should rejoice with the temporary exiling of Constitutional reforms to the backburner.

First, (1) the oligarchy has once again triumphed (2) the status quo has been conserved (3) the aspirants for public office and re-electionists can continue pursuing their agenda and (4) the voters get to enjoy the windfall gains from ready buyers of their votes — with or without automation.

Gainsaid, everybody should be happy.

However, if truth be told, the perpetuation of the status quo of Philippine society means that economic growth cannot be sustained as in the past; democracy will be under pressure, vested business interests will dominate; and political instability will deepen while perpetuating a culture of corruption and dynastic political aristocracy.

Having said the above, without Constitutional reforms, the next President and his administration will be hard put to govern from day one, and vulnerable to destabilization and attempted coups.

Thus, without constitutional revision; a non-ideological party system; political dynasties; oligarchic business structure; vested party-lists; anti-poor judicial system; permissive corruption; ambitious Senate; and burgeoning population growth, what is the difference between the president of today and the elected President of 2010-2016 under the same constraints, politics and economic structure?

In brief, it is not only the president who should be changed, but more importantly, also, the political and economic systems through comprehensive constitutional reforms to include the change in the form of government as well as the democratization of wealth and the dignity of labor.

Second, critics and opposition leaders give to much credit to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for her political acumen, dexterity, survival instincts and lady luck, but insufficient paean of praise for her accomplishments in infrastructure, microfinance, and education.

However, there is an exaggerated paranoia over her political actuations, plans and intentions, though vexing to her critics, are all conjectural.

This, and others, could be the main reason for President Gloria Arroyo’s poor trust and satisfactory ratings.

Third, this feudal and elitist society, though comforting to the rich, will sooner or later implode as the oligarchy cannot sustain a galloping population growth that tends to widen the gap between the rich and the poor.

As we have written earlier, 2010 is a watershed and crossroad of history, which calls for a leader of great intellect, uncompromising honesty, and balls of steel.

It follows that the new leader must (1) rationalize with finality the population issue and put the Catholic Church in its place (2) assume more nationalistic and pragmatic foreign policies (3) spread the wealth by breaking up the conglomerates and oligarchs (4) exalt the dignity of labor and OFWs and (5) conclude a permanent peace with all Filipinos.

When all is said and done, can the next elected President accomplish these Herculean challenges under the same grounds rules, milieu, status quo, politics of personality, family wealth and unreliable judicial system? It will be more of the same.

You be the judge.