Former President Fidel V. Ramos rebuked President Gloria Arroyo on Monday, saying her plans to stay in Malacanang even beyond the end of her term in 2010 will trigger a political crisis in the Philippines. The 81-year-old former president castigated his supposed ally for her plans to cling to power by running for a congressional seat in next year's elections with the hope that her allies in Congress will eventually succeed in amending the Constitution to replace the Philippines' form of government from presidential to parliamentary. Once a parliament is in place and she wins a seat in Congress representing her district in Pampanga province, she could then be elected prime minister by her allies who are still expected to control Congress after next year's elections. Once she gets elected as prime minister, she will be able to maintain her immunity from suit. Ramos said, however, that the immunity and power of public officials, like the president or the prime minister, are not absolute. “Just face the music. If you have done your best effort based on your judgment call, then be prepared to defend it in any court of law. Accountability in public office is the bread and butter of being the president,” Ramos told Arroyo. He advised Arroyo to make use of her remaining time in office to initiate bold changes in the government instead of seeking to cling to power, adding that her unclear political plans are affecting the Philippines' image in the international community. “Like a captain of a sinking ship, the Arroyo administration should make use of its remaining time in Malacanang to repair the holes and lead the country's voyage to a steady direction,” Ramos said in a press conference in Makati City. “It is not too late for the president to make bold change. She just needs to reform, transform and perform. She sets the example that represents the country in the international community. So why not initiate peaceful reform that represents bold change and a renewal of direction toward a better future that we all want,” he said. Ramos earlier rejected an offer to serve as the chairman-emeritus of the newly merged Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats party, where Arroyo is the national chairman. In Monday's press conference, Ramos reiterated his position. “I have made my final decision, so someone else can be affirmed to take the position, someone who is more attuned with the programs of the party better than me,” he said. “The more pressing issue now is not the disintegration of the party but the disintegration of the whole country, if our leaders and the touted ‘presidentiables' don't work well enough for change to take place,” he said.
