Time Play

A recent SWS survey says that Filipino memory only last for 2.5 days. Meaning, if there is any controversy, Filipinos only take a serious and close look at it for nearly 3 days. The survey however, does not state what happens after 2.5 to 3 days. It just says how long short term memory lasts for Filipinos.

That's why it is most crucial for those who want to resolve this Lozada episode to act expeditiously before anything bad happens. For the administration, for this thing to come to a stop, it must be transparent and feed to the lions so to speak, the main characters of this issue. The recent decision to make FG attend the Ombusman hearings does not help. Neither is the apparent pressure for Neri not to attend the Senate hearings. If this administration wants to nip this thing in the bud, it must act now. This is not, anymore, a media play. It has taken a life of its own, independent of what the media is saying.

For the pro-Lozada camp, it must act now to generate more steam so to speak, to be able to sustain the momentum that the Lozada testimony has created. Time, unfortunately, is not on the side of the anti-Arroyo camp, mainly because the nature of these things need speed and timing.

Sources say both camps are in the thick of negotiations. There are suggestions of an Arroyo graceful exit, with Vice President Noli de Castro assuming as president while a snap elections is being prepared. This is acceptable to anti-Arroyo groups, since De Castro has a high acceptability rating and perceived to be least corrupt among Cabinet members of the Arroyo regime. Publicly, Arroyo has said that she'll not step down and will continue serving until her term ends in 2010.

I believe that mass mobilizations will continue this week prior to the celebration of EDSA Uno, which anti-Arroyo groups say is the Original EDSA. Today will be most crucial because Arroyo is in her most weakest and most vulnerable state. First, influential groups have joined the fray against her, including both the religious and business. And second, grass-roots organizing has started, with the support of Catholic schools, the main ingredient of any EDSA revolt. Even if Arroyo uses the full strength of the military and police in neutralizing these groups, it will NOT BE SUCCESSFUL because ANY OPPRESSIVE ACT COMING FROM THE STATE RIGHT NOW WOULD IMPACT ON THE INTERNATIONAL IMAGE OF THE ARROYO ADMINISTRATION.

Ergo, groups should pursue this thing to its logical conclusion which is the OUSTER OF ARROYO prior to EDSA Uno celebrations. If it fails to generate mass support or slacken along the way, then, these groups would be more susceptible to counter-revolutionary measures and probably, more oppressive actions coming from Arroyo. Hence, the time to act is NOW.