Truth is parallel--Propaganda War to Attract the Powerful Neutrals (Or those who have'nt taken sides yet)

It was not a good day for JLo today. Pressed by the Senate to reveal what transpired during the December 7 meeting, Lozada was quite adamant in telling the truth. Some understood this to mean that Lozada values his deep friendship with CHED Chairman Romulo Neri who still refuse to disengage from the Arroyo administration. People have been asking Neri to resign. Neri refuses to bulge in his seat, because, as he told the media before the press conference in Malacanan, he still sees hope for Arroyo to finally act and address the issues on graft and corruption. Hope, as they say, springs eternal.

Now, Malacanan has allowed the Ombusman and the DOJ to conduct parallel investigation about the ZTE deal. This move is not diversion. It is premised on the assumption that truth is relative. In effect, Malacanan wants this fight before the media. They will be using these government institutions to refute the allegations made by Lozada. By authorizing these government bodies to investigate, they want two (2) things to be accomplished: First, they want the people to know the "other side" of this issue. Since the DOJ and the Ombusman have the power to investigate and prosecute, Malacanan hopes to neutralize the Senate probes and probably dilute its impact. And second, since they command the machinery and the purse, the cabal in Malacanang hopes to slowly deprive the anti-Arroyo groups of their momentum, which is very, very crucial at this stage of the game.

As I said in this blog, TIME is NOT a luxury for the anti-Arroyo groups. The longer it takes for them to organize and reorganize, the more this administration becomes embolden to push and push until again, they conquer their enemies. What this administration has that their enemies does'nt is this---this administration is very patient. They also move in a tactical manner. Every move that they do, its calibrated to achieve a result, which, by the way, is NOT the ultimate result but just a part of one continuous series of movements. Observing their moves, this administration would do the following:

a. Strengthen media exposure of these parallel investigations to provide the public an alternative venue. Bear in mind that this struggle is all about the POWERFUL NEUTRALS---Filipinos who are still waiting in the wings or those at the sidelines, waiting for the dust to settle and see who comes out still standing. Malacanang's plan of having parallel investigations are meant to persuade the middle forces and dissuade those in the other side but maintains a certain affinity with Arroyo.

b. Internal dissension among anti-Arroyo groups. They would try to infiltrate the ranks of the dissenters and dissuade those who are in command positions. Talks would definitely be opened among these groups.

c. Try to bolster the ranks of supporters of Arroyo. This has been evident by the surge of attendees from the local governments to the palace.

How to counter the palace moves

First, groups should continue silent organizing. The Youth should be mobilized to rally behind the Movement for a Graft-Free Philippines. Or, try to organize a Conscience Movement or in Filipino means Kaliwanagan Movement. These groups should not telegraph their moves before the media. Every move now should be concealed and should be compartamentalized.

Second, groups should create sub-issues or sub-stories from the Lozada revelations. This is to sustain and animate public interest about the issue. There should be a stage when the discussion assumes a more and higher plane, like, documents should be shown about the ZTE, lives disrupted should be highlighted, etc. These moves should be sustained to a point until military support has been achieved.

Very crucial in all these is military support. I am very certain that certain segments of the military will indeed rise up to fight this administration. I am quite sure that the Patriotic elements of the AFP are prepared and would strike anytime now.