Taking Toll

In true "running for re-election in 2004 fashion," President Arroyo has ordered a one-week suspension of the implementation of the hike in toll rates at the North and South Luzon Expressways. The period, supposed to be, would allow government and the relevant agencies to study further whether such increases are necessary.

Already, radio commentators are having a field day by saying: "You mean the increases weren't studied enough but were already implemented?"

Whatever the outcome during this one week period, President Arroyo, I think, just loses "beauty points" (as opposed to pogi points). If the hikes are stopped permanently, people will still think that government tried to put one over them and that they had to complain hard and loud for the hikes to be taken back. If after further study the hikes are implemented after all, the increases will even be harder to accept, since the people got a temporary reprieve already.

All in all, instead of involving herself in issues like this, President Arroyo should just come out with a statement saying that she's decided not to run for re-election in 2004. This should lead her opponents to really give her government a chance to do its job. What can she possibly gain by running again? If she wins, people will always say it was expected since she's the incumbent, with all the resources of the government available to her. If she didn't win, that would look really bad.

Anyway, I wonder who else is running in 2004? After all the electoral campaigns and presidents I've seen so far, does it matter?