Level-Up in Philippine politics

Over at newphilippines.newsvine.com, there's an interesting insight on Philippine politics. Almost all institutions of government are being attacked. Over at the Senate, things are starting to get interesting, as seven senators signed a resolution asking for an investigation against Senate President Manny Villar. Villar got involved allegedly in inserting 200 million pesos for a similar road improvement project which has been previously allocated in the 2007 budget. Another anomaly, this time involving the sale of right-of-way of one of Villar's real estate company, Brittany, has got the goat of Villar. Today, he called for a press conference austensibly to clear his name. But, the People want blood. And blood they would surely get should the senate continue its probe on his alleged deals with government while occupying the Chamber's high post.

Another guy whose in hot water now is Speaker Prospero Nograles. There's an apparent coup plan against the 7-month old Speaker, reportedly hatched by Malacanang's hatchet man, DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno. Nograles' handlers tried to downplay this but today, Nograles announced that he'll be doing the rounds. He'll be "consulting" with Lakas-Kampi members on their possible choice for presidential candidate come 2010. Surely, these consultations are being done to determine whether there's cracks in the Lakas-Kampi party.

As if this is not enough, Malacanang is also being attacked. UP Professor Harry Roque has accused Trade Secretary Peter Favila of again selling out Philippine patrimony. Roque said Favila should be investigated for granting a mining deal with TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIRM ZTE. What's so anomalous about this is this--what's the expertise of ZTE in this mining thing? They're suppliers of telecommunications equipment. Do they have a record in mining? Obviously, they don't have anything to prove they're competent.

Plus of course, we must not forget the bribery scandal involving the Court of Appeals justices. CA Justice Vicente Roxas has just been axed and he's crying "politics". Roxas told ABS-CBN that he's been singled out when it was Justice Jose Sabio who admitted having received a call from his brother, PCGG Chairman Camilo Sabio and also admitted having received a bribe offer from businessman De Borja. The DOJ has called for a deeper probe and in the next few days, we'll see the prosecution of the Lopezes who owns Meralco.

What's happening? It seems that there's some "cleansing" going on. Malacanang is trying to neutralize possible opposition come 2010 while reconsolidating its forces. Why? What's the reason? To weaken political forces? For what?