FORMER President Fidel Ramos insists that President Arroyo must exit gracefully next year while Speaker Joe de Venecia, his close associate, contends that she can retain her present powers up to 2010 even if the parliamentary system kicks in 2007.
To please her, he proposes the French model where the President shares power with the Prime Minister, a method known as "cohabitation" where disagreements are resolved in a civilized way.
After 2010, the traditional parliamentary system comes in with the PM as chief executive.
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One is told to believe that since the two men’s positions are opposed, they have come to a parting of the ways.
While De Venecia says the Arroyo-Ramos meeting has resulted in a win-win solution, Ramos went out of his way to deny this, insisting that the President must exit next year.
He would have nothing to do with JdV’s French model proposal.
More interesting than the Arroyo-Ramos disagreement is Ramos’ alleged parting of the ways with the speaker.
Ramos’ demand for the President to step down in 2007, when he assumes the parliamentary system will be in place, mainly benefits the speaker who has the clout to win the PM post. Ramos also benefits, being guaranteed total access to the PM.
Why should the speaker spurn this love offering and line up instead with the President? What she wants will foul up things for him.
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Disciples of police movies can see in this the classic "good cop, bad cop" method.
Others are reminded of the song, "It’s only a Paper Moon," part of which goes:
"It’s a Barnum and Bailey world,
Just as phony as it could be.
But it wouldn’t be make believe,
If you believe in me."
We believe you, all three of you.
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