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| BY THE WAY |
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| by Dino E. Prestado |
OF METRO MANILA AND PROMDIS
The clamor for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step
down, according to her critics and the political opposition is country-wide. I doubt. When in fact, only Metro Manila is in
the hot seat. It is not the entire Philippines and the 82 million Filipinos calling for her to resign from office. They are
only a rough 20% of the total populace. Metro Manila, as regarded by Mindanaoans, is an imperial state lording over
the provinces and the rural side of the Philippines. When PGMA proclaimed in her SONA last July 25 that it is time to bring
the seat of power to the countryside that feeds the urban jungle dwellers, I thought of it as a wise move, not only crucial
to her political standing, but as well as for the economy to move forward.
Metro Manila, strategically located at the heart of the
Luzon island and at the mouth of Manila Bay from the South China Sea. It was founded by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as a Spanish
fort in Luzon. With the entire duration of the Spanish rule, Manila was the colonial capital with the business, trade, judiciary,
entertainment, government central offices are located in the city. During the American period, Manila was the seat of the
Civil Government although governors take direct powers from Washington until a Commonwealth government was established. Through
the years, Manila was the center of the two successful people power that ousted two presidents, failed military coup d'etats
and civilian rallies. Manila established itself as the country's capital in almost every field; business, trade, entertainment,
culture and politics.
Now, as the looming impeachment case against PGMA, Filipinos
from every province are closely following and watching the events in "imperial" Manila, for the process will not only affect
Metro Manilans directly, but promdis, like us, as well.
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