The economy is deteriorating, millions are jobless and are going hungry, the A(H1N1) virus is spreading at an alarming rate, the perennial problems of lack of schoolrooms, teachers and textbooks are with us again, and the nation is facing other daunting problems, and yet the question being asked by government officials, politicians and people in the street is: Will Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo run again, and ultimately for what office—speaker or prime minister?

The political turmoil is diverting the attention of the nation from its important and urgent problems. All because people are afraid that one woman will try again, like the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos before her, to perpetuate herself in power by fair means or foul. She has said that she would step down from the presidency in 2010. That should have given the nation a calming assurance. But no, it has not because the people know from experience that she has a lust for power, and that she would try to retain it at any cost.

The speculation is that Ms Arroyo is looking at various options to be able to stay in power beyond 2010 and thus avoid having to suffer the fate of deposed President Joseph Estrada, who was charged with plunder and later convicted by the Sandiganbayan.

One option is for her to run for representative and try to get elected as speaker of the House of Representatives. Apparently she is considering this option seriously because she has visited and virtually campaigned in her home province of Pampanga 16 times.

Another option is for Congress to constitute itself as a constituent assembly and adopt the parliamentary system of government so that she can run for member of parliament, and later be elected prime minister.

Still another is to cause a disruption of the public order through staged bombings, ambuscades and other forms of violence so that she would have an excuse to impose martial law. The elections would then be called off and she would remain president in a holdover capacity.

There could be other options, but right now we do not know what is in her mind.

The gang rape of the Constitution perpetrated by the House controlled by her party members has caused widespread indignation. It is the first step toward the convening of a Senate-less constituent assembly. Her allies gloated over the fact that the rally held last week to protest the House action mustered only 10,000 or 12,000 people. But the issue of a Senate-less constituent assembly has not yet reached the tipping point. It is not even a justiciable controversy at this point. And thousands of people are expressing their indignation not in the streets but in cyberspace. The anger is building up, but it is not yet palpable because it is being expressed silently, digitally.

At this point, it looks like Ms Arroyo is ready and willing to risk anything—civil disturbance, rioting, even a revolution—just to stay forever, if possible, in Malacañang. It appears like it is going to be the 1971-72 scenario starring Marcos all over again, except that this time it is a wily woman scheming to retain power at all costs.

Ms Arroyo can put an end to the political turmoil that is roiling the nation and return national life to a semblance of normality if she would only do one thing: declare publicly, once and for all, that she will step down from the presidency in 2010 and that she will not run for any elective post, whether it be that of member of the House or member of a yet to be constituted parliament, and fade out and ride graciously into the sunset.

Ms Arroyo should already consider it a great honor to have served as president for almost 10 years, the second longest term ever in Philippine history. The opposition says that she has done enough harm to the nation. She and her allies say that she has done a lot of good for the nation. If she believes her own words, then it is time for her to retire and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Let another person take the helm and steer the ship of state through the present troubled waters.

Ms Arroyo has been talking about leaving a good legacy. The best legacy she can give is to ensure clean, orderly and credible elections in 2010 and to leave a peaceful nation after her exit.