That’s the appropriate theme song and slogan for Gloria Arroyo’s amnesia-afflicted senatorial candidates.

In ANC’s "Strictly Politics" last Tuesday, host Pia Hontiveros recalled for re-electionist Edgardo Angara the scenes during the congressional canvassing of votes of the 2004 presidential election where he, Tito Sotto, and Tessie Oreta accused Gloria Arroyo of cheating their candidate, Fernando Poe Jr.

She took note of the seeming absurdity of his running under a ticket that pledges support for a person he had accused of cheating. Angara said, "That has already been resolved."

When was it resolved? Definitely not by the "Hello Garci" tapes that surfaced one year later which confirmed many of the incidents of cheating that they raised during the congressional canvassing.

Angara said that his campaign platform would encourage people to be forward-looking.

Re-electionist Ralph Recto, who, together with fellow Wednesday Club colleague, Joker Arroyo, chose to be with the well-oiled administration ticket, criticized the opposition for engaging in "rear view mirror" politics.

I have a problem with the desire of Angara and Recto for the Filipino people to forget Gloria Arroyo’s crimes particularly her cheating. Arroyo did not just steal people’s money (agri-fund through Joc Joc Bolante, road users tax and others). She robbed the people of their faith in the electoral process. She robbed them of their trust in democratic institutions.

Her crime of election cheating reverberated in all levels, not only of the government, but in our society. She corrupted everybody. She destroyed lives.

For proof, all you have to do is look at our military hierarchy. Look at AFP chief Hermogenes Esperon. Look at Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. Look at Marine commandant Nelson Allaga. There are so many of them who have been richly rewarded because they did the job which in the past was done by the goons of political warlords.

What happened to those who stood firmly with the soldier’s oath not to engage in partisan politics and to be "the protector of the people and the State?" They are in Fort San Felipe in Cavite and Camp Capinpin in Tanay. In detention.

If we forget Gloria Arroyo’s crimes, why are we punishing tax cheats? Why are we punishing non-presidential robbers and thieves?

Eminent writer Carmen Guerrero Nakpil said the people cannot just forget Arroyo’s past because "it is not past."

Wise folks also warn against people who choose to forget the past. As we say in Tagalog, "Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa nakaraan at hindi makarating sa patutunguhan."

Memorable interviews:

In ANC’s "Shoptalk" last Monday, Pia Hontiveros asked senatorial candidate Jamalul Kiram III, how he got included in the Team Unity ticket. Kiram replied, "I volunteered."

Pia asked for details. His answers were neither here nor there. After a few more questions, he said, "I did not volunteer."

Pia reminded him that he just said he volunteered. A drowsy-looking Kiram said, "Okay I said I volunteered but I’m taking it back."

In last Tuesday’s Strictly Politics, Team Unity senatorial bet Prospero Pichay said he will pursue a shift to a unicameral parliamentary system of government.

Pia: But that would mean shutting down the Senate, to which you are seeking election.

Pichay: No, it will abolish Congress and replace it with a parliament.