One and a half weeks to go

Its a good thing that groups are just giving Arroyo a week to answer all these allegations. Today, arguments were heard over the SC on what to do with the petition of former NEDA secretary Romulo Neri. It was a deliberation on the issue of lifting EO 464, which quarters, including the Vice President, has said that Gloria should lift for the public to hear the truth about the ZTE deal. I don't know what's the big deal about Neri's testimony since I believe, Neri already told everything there is before the Senate when he went there. But, considering how the palace and even the entire country is reacting, maybe, there's really something about what transpired between Neri and Arroyo that Neri's counsel even said that its "part of a state secret"

Bull.

A state secret involves national security. What's so serious about what Neri told Arroyo that they're both afraid on the possibility that the people will know about it. Everybody is urging Arroyo to allow Neri to testify. Malacanang, it seems, is starting to harden its position which is a BAD THING to do. Doing so at this point only worsens their situation. They are like creating a quick sand to sink themselves in.

In the next few days, I believe that Gloria will, definitely do the following things:

1. She will announce the lifting of EO 464 to prevent the CBCP from further joining the growing protest movement. That will give her administration a few more days to survive.

2. She will announce the suspension of controversial government officials involved in the ZTE scandal. That would contradict what the Palace announced today and yesterday, but, nonetheless, that would give her enough breathing space to prevent herself from totally being besieged.

3. She will announce new appointments in the Comelec, foremost of which, members of civil society, or one belonging to the Muslim sector.

I think the environment is being prepared for these pronouncements. Palace operators have allowed the people to hinge the search for truth with Neri, which is a tactical way of solving this issue. By concentrating all attention at Neri's probable testimony, the palace is effectively leading the public's attention away from Lozada and concentrate on Neri. I bet my bottom dollar that Neri's testimony will not amount to anything since it has been months since the controversy first began. I am sure that palace operators have already cleaned every filth there is about this deal.

On, by the way, groups should ask for the original copy of the ZTE deal. Since this time, no copy of the supposed controversial deal has been presented to the media. Why? The people have the right to know since its their money who'll finance the shebang anyway. There should be an active call from people for the palace to reveal the deal.

So, my friends, you just have to wait for one and a half weeks before we can finally put these things to rest. The big rally in UST might just be the last hurrah for Gloria. Or, it might also be the last say of all these groups opposing Arroyo. Let's wait and see.

Rejoinder:

By the way, that statement by Loren that she'll not support calls for the resignation of Arroyo because of the prospect of Noli assuming the presidency is pure idiocracy. It says so much about Loren. She, like Gloria, is hungry for power. Be cautious about the likes of Loren. She's a potential Gloria just waiting in the wings. I hope that she'll be marginalized so that no such breed would ascend the position of power.