Mariano's call--an Isolated one, says Malacanang. Is it?

Malacanang spokesperson Abigal Valte was quick to squelch news about Marine Colonel Generoso Mariano's call for the replacement of the government. A few days ago, Mariano appeared in a video, expressing his general sentiments on Philippine reality. He said that soldiers are humans too, who feel the impact of rising prices of oil, food and basic services. These things, he said, injure or harm the lives of people. The Armed forces, Mariano said, is duty-bound by the Constitution to protect the people from harm. It is then, the duty of everyone to protect themselves from an unsympathetic and uncaring government.


These things, if you look closely, parallels those of General Lim's previous statement during the Marine barracks incident several years ago. Lim's and Mariano's statements jibe because they are general statements of observations on socio-economic political reality. These are political observations, and observations are part of self-expression, a right protected by the Charter. 


I urge Malacanang to examine the statement because there is nothing seditious nor treasonous in it. What Mariano meant by saying that he is calling for the "replacement of government" proceeds from his general presumptions. It is nothing but a hook to engage Malacanang.


Sacking an individual who just expressed his sentiments is, I think, overboard. This will only enflame the situation and will eventually spark conversations on the veracity of these claims as against the administration's.


Besides, sacking him is symbolic. It means that this administration does not tolerate expressions of dissent, something which characterized the previous dispensations. Why sack someone who just expressed his own thoughts on what's happening?


NOW, linking Mariano to the camp of Arroyo is a political tactic, something which should not have been done in the first place. What Valte did was give legitimacy to the statements previously issued by Malacanang. Why? If people think that Mariano's statements were legitimate, they will also then, equate Arroyo's statements as similarly legitimate. 


Malacanang should tread this thing very carefully.


The truth of the matter is....


A large majority of the Armed Forces, according to several sources, is not at all sympathetic to the Aquino administration. However, we must qualify this. Who among these groups would move against Noynoy?


There is an intelligence report which says that former Intelligence chief of Arroyo is moving against the Aquino administration. This guy is the "knight" of Arroyo. His mission--prevent the Aquino administration from filing cases against his principals. He is also moving for a foreign government. He has been touring around camps, mostly those in the Visayas and Mindanao, to gather sympathizers.


Worse, because of the PCSO scandal sparked by the Palace itself, the administration is now isolated. Obviously, two institutions are now in opposition to the palace--the church and some segments of the AFP. With these two institutions now moving against this administration, it is now under what we call "a revolutionary situation."


The question now---what will happen next?