Ebdane is dangerous

DPWH secretary Hermogenes Ebdane wants the presidency. He says 15 governors want him to run and contest Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro as the administration bet. Everyone knows, and that includes Ebdane, that the chances of winning even the nomination of the administration party is practically nil.

That only shows that Ebdane's alleged desire to run is just a trial balloon or worse, a direct affront against the Kampi dominated LAKAS-KAMPI merged party.

We must, however, be extremely cautious because Ebdane is a dangerous man. Dangerous in the sense that he represents a group of very powerful generals. He represents the faction that brought Mrs. Arroyo to power and that means, former generals Mendoza and Reyes.

These generals belong to PMA classes 1969, 1970, 1971, which stand to lose considerable power in a post-Arroyo world. These classes do not loom large in any of the political parties of the strongest contenders.

For example, in Manny Villar's camp, PMA Class 1976 dominates most of his supporters. In Noynoy's camp, there are members of PMA Classes 1980 and 90's classes. In Chiz Escudero's camp, members of some PMA Classes are also within the NPC structure.

Ebdane is one of the most favored officers of former president Fidel V. Ramos. Most people would probably consider his pronouncement as a shallow one, but it means something more sinister.

The message that Ebdane's group wants to say is this---the merged party, PALAKA, has to find other sources of campaign funds.

It also shows that the possibility of violence in next year's elections is a certainty.