From the looks of it, Arroyo can survive the never-ending volley of impeachment salvos for as long as the administration has the numbers in the House.  If the impeachment raps get by the House, she may get booted out by souring senators in the Senate. For now, only the people power scenario can threaten to shortcut her term.

That she survived two impeachment moves, the second one indicating a strengthening of her hold in the House, is not necessarily an indication of an increasing people’s support. Surveys show that she would badly lose in a popularity contest.

While the Garci tapes still cast dark clouds over Arroyo, another potential scandal looms in the horizon. The allegations over the use of fertilizer funds for political purposes could be more damaging than the Garci tapes if proven to be true.

Former Undersecretary of Agriculture Jocelyn Bolante, who is presently detained by U.S. immigration authorities, appears to be a central key to unlock the mystery surrounding the alleged misuse of fertilizer funds. He has so far eluded attempts by the Philippine Senate to force him to appear and shed light to the issue before a Senate committee hearing. There is no indication that the Department of Justice is initiating any investigation for possible criminal violations that could lead to indictment against members of the Arroyo administration. This issue is simmering. It is uncertain whether or not it will get to the boiling point.

Were the impeachment moves useless opposition exercises? Probably not. While it kept the administration preoccupied with its time and resources trying to survive the political storm, it also forced the administration to be visibly clean while under fire. The issues that are hounding the Arroyo administration are based on actions antedating her second term.

All of the politicians for sure will claim that the interest of the nation is their primary concern. If we take their words at face value, we might find the impeachment boys concentrate on legislation for a while.  They will graciously accept defeat in the political process mandated in the constitution and move on.

If the impeachment process was unduly rigged to favor the administration, there is always the direct action of the people to enforce the popular will. For two years now, attempts by the opposition to ignite the third coming of “people power” have failed. For all of their unhappiness, the people have said no extra-constitutional process and alternatives pandered by administration critics. The people have spoken. It’s time to give them a break.

As for Pres. Arroyo, she can celebrate her political survival by governing with a determined new attitude- business not as usual. For a starter, she can have her husband Mike Arroyo volunteer as a full time alter boy of some bishop so that he cannot get involved in matters of government. She then can form a special task force to solve the Ninoy Aquino murder and that will keep Cory Aquino from forgetting the dismemberment of Hacienda Luisita.

God bless the Philippines.