The Marginalization of FVR

In the military, there's this thing called "mopping operations." It's usually done after the police or military has defeated or annihilated their enemies.

Talks are rife that this looming Cabinet revamp aims to do just that--a mopping up operation to erase the last vestiges or memory of former president and self-proclaimed statesman Fidel V. Ramos from governance.

Yes, the once feared and the most respected Philippine president in the post-Marcos regime has been whittled down to size by his protege, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Before, FVR's words rang perfectly loud in the halls of Malacanang. In the 7 years of Gloria's rule, FVR's presence was not symbolic. Some quarters believe that he ran a shadow government, since many of Gloria's appointees and close-in advisers were either FVR's former officials or close to the former president. Despite being out of government and into retirement, many value the counsel of the cigar-chomping former leader who reigned in an era of prosperity prior to Erap's disastrous administration.

Now, FVR is just a mere shadow of his once influential self. Before, he commands respect among the military and the political elite. Today, he can't even unite his fragmented and weakened political baby. The reason is too obvious--FVR has lost considerable clout and power.

It began when Gloria's political machine, KAMPI started raiding LAKAS constituency in the 2004 elections. Puno's first attempt went pfft since most of the political titans of the country are unconvinced of Gloria's staying power then. The usurper was just not strong enough like FVR. Hence, the plan to marginalize Lakas went awry and momentarily ceased.

However, as Gloria weathers political storms one from another, it gave her the chance to consolidate her mass base. As she wins her political battles, Gloria grew stronger in Lakas while FVR's clout decreased. After 3 years, LAKAS went from being the most dominant party to a messed up, confused and discordant organization of old, worn-out politicians.

FVR vainly hold on to power by positioning himself as a kingmaker. Every destabilization event was exploited for his own interests. The last public show of affection was during the height of the ZTE scandal where FVR was heard shouting hosanna while thousands march at Ayala against Gloria. FVR tried to position himself as a kingmaker once more, since the last two destabilization attempts showed him as Gloria's Knight in Shining Armor.

That last one did not go the way FVR wanted it to be. Despite that PDA (public display of affection), FVR failed to parry the blows of KAMPI against Lakas. Gloria and her gang continued their recruitment efforts, part of an insidious plan to marginalize LAKAS before Gloria and her KAMPI allies start the cha-cha train.

When Gloria's men succeeded in destroying LAKAS party base, they then turned their sights on Jose de Venecia Jr. Weak as a baby, JDV went from the 4th most powerful man to relative obscurity. His propensity for politicking and compromise-building was exposed as genetic weakness and led to his humiliating defeat. Now, we don't hear anything from the man from Pangasinan, a victim of Gloria's ultimate quest to be the only strong leader in the country.

It's now the turn of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, perceived as one of FVR's closest, to get the hatchet. Gloria and her gang are planning for his immediate exile to Washington. The last of the Bushido gang, Ermita's departure from the halls of power is widely viewed as a direct assault against the once formidable FVR group.

After Ermita, there's no other major FVR general in Arroyo's Cabinet. Yes, there were talks of retiring general Hermogenes Esperon Jr. being "promoted" to replace Teodoro. However, Arroyo is not about to do that. She's a shrewd one. She knows that Esperon is FVR's hidden weapon and she'll not allow FVR's group to again take a step inside the palace.

With Ermita's departure almost certain, no other group holds Gloria hostage. Its now complete. Finished.

Gloria has complete command of the State--from the senior and junior military elites to the political, economic and judicial elites. Her clout has even extended to the barangays, mayors, and governors.

Her alliance with Cojuangco remained strong, suggesting a possible common presidential candidate in the person of either Loren Legarda or Noli de Castro. KAMPI has become the strongest and the most influential political party in the Philippines. It has now, the capability and the strength to dictate the terms of political battle come 2010. In fact, I am not surprised why the Senate suddenly turned 180 degrees for cha-cha. Most of those who signed Resolution 10 are pragmatists. They know that this is not the time to go against the existing political reality.

And what is that reality? That Gloria's gang has a very strong possibility of clinching an extended power trip beyond 2010. Mark my word. Gloria is now in the position to dictate the terms of engagement simply due to her purported strong survival instincts.

What now, my General? Do you still have an ace in your sleeves?