On the Eve of Civil War

Mrs. Arroyo has just sealed her fate. By pardoning Erap today, she just made a big blunder. She just allowed all her enemies to band together against her. Arroyo, in effect, signed her death warrant.

Definitely, it will not be long before the camp of FVR, the Speaker, civil society, pseudo-civil society, revolutionaries, common people, businessmen, workers and middle classes will now have a rally point. And that rallying point will definitely revolve around the search for justice. Arroyo has just allowed the campaign against her to assume a new character, a new stage--that of being a fight against injustice. Its quite obvious that the ZTE probe, charges of corruption are all campaigns for the search for truth. Now, due to this granting of pardon, people will definitely campaign for justice. The next level will just be the struggle for peace.

I shudder at the thought of another revolt, this time, bloodier and more vicious than the previous EDSAs. It will not be long before forces wanting to overthrow this administration will unite and together call for the ouster of Gloria.

Who would now prevent collective resignation among her cabinet? This early, there are signs of another Hyatt 10 incident. I am not in the habit of betraying the trust of my sources, but definitely, some of GMA's cabinet are intending to resign. Obviously, the Ramos' camp will definitely resign from this administration. Ramos' interview before he left for Guandong China tells you that something is terribly wrong about what's happening now.

Danger signals

There's a serious rift in Philippine society now. The military is split in the middle. PMA classes are in serious struggles against each other. The ranks of generals have been seriously affected by the succession of bribery allegations. My source in the palace told me that some generals actually told the president that they will not receive the "cash gifts" they were being offered during their recent meeting at the Palace. Some even left the room after meeting with the president.

The Lower House is also split, with those who side with the Speaker and those with Arroyo. The Senate is likewise disunited with some for the administration and some in the opposition.

We have a disunited business community, most undecided on what to do with GMA and whether to continue supporting her. We have a police establishment that is likewise torn apart due to the mess left by the ex-PNP chief.

So, Dolorfino is right---we are in the eve of a civil war. It will not be long before these forces converge against Gloria.

Will we see Gloria occupying the place of Erap in the future? This eventuality is not remote.