Since February 1986 when the people launched the first successful and real people power, so many plots and plans have been hatched, giving the Philippines the reputation as a country of plotters and planners.  Of course, during the months and years before February 1986, the country was under authoritarian rule, so it was obvious that clandestine plotting and planning had to be done.  Unfortunately, it has now become a habit, and we have never graduated from that time.

As a matter of fact, Time magazine dubbed the 2001 people power as a mob rule.  Even the international press has lost its regard for this country as the first democracy in Asia, even tagging us "the clown in a class of new democracies," which I, personally, think is uncalled for and take offense at.

While the plotting and planning in 2001 did succeed in ousting Erap from the presidency, there are some people who continue to have the illusion that the same thing can be done again.  It's sad that after 20 years, there are some who have fallen into the habit of plotting and planning that they fail to realize that times have changed, the conditions have changed, and the people—whom they conveniently invoke to justify their actions—have changed.

It's also funny how some people continue to have all kinds of clandestine meetings when everybody knows anyway about their meetings.  And sometimes, they have these meetings broadcast by one in their group.  All of them are pretending to be Tom Cruise on a mission impossible or James Bond out on a top-secret assignment.  Then there are those who are hiding even though nobody is looking for them.

It's almost farcical, too, the way a number of publicity hungry shadowy groups have resorted to broadcasting and press releasing "plans" to oust the present occupant of Malacañang with deadlines to boot.  But when these plans are discovered, they are quick to deny involvement and come up with fancy explanations to justify their actions.

The recent so-called "plot" exposed by this "big mouth" Roy Señeres is not helping any.  There's talk around town that this is an attempt gone kaput to blackmail prominent people like Iñigo Zobel and Tonyboy Cojuangco—both of whom have denied having been part of any plot against GMA whatsoever.

Iñigo—who earlier had faxed a denial all the way from Spain—may have become a likely target because he showed up during that Feb. 26 standoff at the Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio to talk to Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who took part in the bloodiest 1989 coup attempt against Cory Aquino.  In fairness to Iñigo, he has known Col. Querubin for a long time and they have come to be friends.  In fact, the Marine colonel at one point provided Iñigo some security in the past when the wealthy Zobel heir was under threat as a potential kidnap victim.

The government should be careful, too, and not fall into the trap of engaging in a witch hunt.  GMA is known to be vindictive, and it has been reported that GMA is like her mother—strong—and at times vindictive.  While GMA invokes the rule of law to uphold her tenure in Malacañang, she also has to uphold the rule of law in going after these suspected coup plotters.  She should not allow vindictiveness to get the better of her judgment.  But as shown in several instances, GMA can indeed be vindictive.

Realizing the dire implications that a "big mouth" like Señeres can make, a group of businessmen sent me a statement appealing for "prudence and circumspection" in dealing with accusations being leveled against them.  "We ask people in authority to be more circumspect in pointing accusing fingers at people who have contributed a lot not only to the country's economic well-being, but also to nation building in general," the statement said.

While past events have undoubtedly taken their toll on the people, the country and the economy, it's a good thing the more enlightened business tycoons have chosen to focus on moving the economy forward instead of dabbling in politics and sowing more dissent, unlike some self-important Makati businessmen with bloated egos who think they are God's gift to this country.

We're lucky we still have a lot of level headed businessmen who have chosen to think of the country first—enabling the economy to keep afloat considering the political turmoil that's been going on for the past two years.  As the statement pointed out, the least we need at this time is another round of "finger pointing and accusations against people, especially notable captains of industry, who have, for the longest time, helped steer the economic ship of this country to safer shores."

Obviously, this has got to stop.  We have to move forward from the "plot and plan" mentality and graduate into a real democracy.  That's why it's good to see that even the CBCP has come to realize that supporting any kind of move that will just further destabilize the government is a useless, unproductive exercise.  As it is, the bishops virtually admitted that they don't really find the motives of those pushing for impeachment to be driven by genuine concern for the good of the people.  As Bishop Arguelles said, behind impeach moves are really political ambitions by some people who are trying to wrest power from GMA, and the consequences would only aggravate the sufferings of the poor majority of Filipinos.

The problem, of course, is that government also keeps making plans on what it will do for the welfare of the people, for reforms, for economic progress and the lot.  If this government is intent on Charter change, then it has to be done the proper way.  If there are plans that would be good for the people, then they have to be done, and they have to be followed through.

Trouble is, the Philippines has Senators and Congressmen who keep promising on planning and doing things for the people.  But more often than not, they don't follow through.   They have now become world famous as "the most promising politicians" in the world today.  It's unfortunate that some have gotten used to the idea that they can change a president through coup plots and plans of people power.  It's because of this situation that is making GMA more determined than ever to do everything to survive.

Time and again, she had said that she would not resign just because 10 or a hundred people demand it.  She's right in that sense, because if we have to operate under a true democracy, then we have to keep strengthening our institutions.  We're very lucky that her present economic managers have chosen to focus on strengthening the economy and not dabble in political adventurism.

If we are to survive as a nation, the president and this country's leaders have to focus on governing, legislating, creating jobs, delivering basic services, improving the business climate.  All of these plans and motherhood statements must be followed by action.  We need to stop expending our time, energy and resources making plots and plans.  As pointed out by that one-page ad by the Federation of Philippine Industries—"time is indeed running out" for this country.  Otherwise, this country's democratic institutions may end up with memorial plans or worse—in cemetery plots.

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