t's all over but the shouting, folks! The destabilization campaign orchestrated by those seeking to overthrow the country's duly-elected government by extra-judicial means appears destined for failure with every passing second. It is a heartening and proud testament to the politically maturing and circumspect Philippine society. After all the lies and double-talk of both the Marcos dictatorship and and the Estrada "cleptocracy," Filipinos can by now discern when they're being lied to.

Nonetheless, during the darkest hours of this crisis, one man with both vision and wisdom stood tall to carefully guide the country along. Former president Fidel Ramos once again showed the mettle that makes him one of the best--if not the best--chief executive the Philippines has ever had. And to government officials who stood by the president like Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Senator Dick Gordon, Secretary Michael Defensor, and the multitude of other Filipino patriots both in and out of government, we say a heartfelt "thank you."

The Steadfastness and moral fortitude that President Arroyo has shown throughout this crisis seems in sharp contrast to the call by former president Cory Aquino for her to resign. While many Filipinos have held back any criticism of the former president in deference to her martyred husband, it nonetheless must be pointed out that many of the problems the present administration is struggling with are problems president Aquino failed to  address during her years as president.

Many still see Cory Aquino's presidency as a squandered opportunity. For it must be remembered that when she took office after EDSA I, she had almost absolute power. The Marcoses had fled, the three branches of government were in almost complete disarray, and on her shoulders rested as much power as Ferdinand Marcos had ever hoped to have. She could have forcefully prosecuted the cronies and corrupt politicians who left the Philippine treasury ransaked and bare. She could have gone after the billions stolen by Marcos and his henchmen. She could even have gotten to the bottom of her husband's assasination. Instead Cory Aquino accomplished none of these. So today President Arroyo not only has to deal with mounting fiscal problems, but also with destabilization efforts by former Marcos cronies whom Aquino should have jailed decades ago.

Lastly, we take our hats off to the CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines). Like many who viewed their involvement with trepidation, we now thank them for their prudence and the measure of stability they have given the country by their position. We look forward to the day when the Church hierarchy will no longer have to be called upon to make such pronouncements.

President Arroyo's mandate has been reaffirmed by this crisis. We hope her first order of business is getting to the bottom of this destabilization conspiracy and prosecuting those guilty to the fullest. Otherwise, like Cory Aquino, she will be relegating that job to her successors and future generations of Filipinos to do it for her.