May surprise: The Plot to Replicate the Thai Model in the Philippines

Former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr's revelation last night about the planned "takeover" of the AFP leadership in June is nothing to sneeze at, let alone brush aside. For one, many sources have confirmed, even a Major General, member of PMA Class 1978, that the AFP has a "contingency plan" in case of a power vacuum after the May 10 elections. And based on who you talk to, groups are ready to clash for it, anytime. 


De Venecia  said that Bangit is poise to take over and install a military government. When the final results of the Congressional polls are in, the plan, according to De Venecia is wait for Congress to convene itself (the next session is May 30), possibly on the 30th of May, and elect a Speaker. De Venecia believes that the transitional president will still be Mrs. Arroyo.


What is so disturbing about all these is the fact that the plotters intend to install a transitional government for six months. Why is it needed? In six months, they believe, a shift from presidential to parliamentary is possible. Meaning, they will hammer the issue, they will force the issue down our throats. The real plan is still charter change---shift the governmental form or structure from presidential to parliamentary to allow Mrs. Arroyo an extension of terms.


Then, afterwards, what? Since the military hates the prospect of a Noynoy presidency, they will call for another presidential polls. 


Why is it that Mrs. Arroyo is touring abroad? She is seeking international support for the plan. And the US state department, according to my source, knows about this and will try to frustrate it. That is now the role of the new US envoy, Mr. Thomas whose record speaks volumes.


Mr. Thomas has handled very sensitive international issues and has been posted in most destabilized countries. According to some sources, the US does not intend to support any extension of Mrs. Arroyo's term.


The model these plotters are now using or trying to emulate is the Thai model. 


Now the more substantial issue is this---how will we be able to counter such a plan? Read my next blog...

Lakas and the Binay group to join Noynoy Aquino

Senator Noynoy Aquino is sure to become the strongest presidential candidate, even stronger than Villar or former president Joseph Estrada if two major political forces merge or coalesce with the Noypi movement anytime soon.

And the possibility is higher than expected.

Yesterday was as historic as Mar Roxas announcement a few weeks ago when former speaker and Lakas original founding member Jose de Venecia Jr. and fifty other Lakas "originals" denounced the merger of their party with that of KAMPI. Since it merged with the administration party of Mrs. Arroyo a few months ago, Lakas originals led by de Venecia Jr. and former president Fidel V. Ramos have insisted that the so-called merger was illegal and was not approved by the majority of the party members.

Actually, a source, an original Lakas-CMD leader, said that the reason why they are protesting against the merger is the apparent attempt by KAMPI leaders to further raid the Lakas-CMD ranks. As far as the COMELEC is concerned, Lakas-CMD is the dominant party and the purported merger, the animal named " Lakas-Kampi CMD", is still not a recognized political party.

Now, most of the Lakas party leaders want to merge with the Noynoy for President Initiative or Noypi. Many of Lakas members believe that Noynoy represents the most viable candidate who is able to present an alternative agenda.

Noynoy is expected to announce his bid for the presidency today at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino.

If Lakas breaks away from Kampi, that would dilute the vaunted power and strength of the administration machinery.

Another possibility is the break-away of another group, this time from the UNO ranks. Noypi members are courting Makati mayor Jejomar Binay to join them. Another source, this time from Binay's camp said that there's a 100% chance that Binay will join Noypi.

ZTE-NBN deal--not a mom and pop ops, says Gordon

So based on the observations of Senator Richard Gordon, the ZTE-NBN deal is not a mom and pop operation. It's a father and son caper. That's how Gordon sees it.

Gordon sees nothing wrong with the First Gentleman Mike Arroyo with his wife, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal strolling down the fairways of Shenzhen golf and country club as "nothing wrong". Gordon sees nothing wrong with the First Gentleman threatening Joey de Venecia III with the now infamous words, " back-off!" as a sign that he's interested with the deal. And obviously, Gordon sees nothing wrong with Mrs. Arroyo's meeting with former NEDA chief Romulo Neri and telling him to "just accept the money and approve the deal."

I'm beginning to think that the reason why Gordon wants to be chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee is he wants to ingratiate himself with the First Family. Is he serving as the First Couple's hatchet man or he's just being himself?

I remember a few years ago when the Americans were still running Clark and Subic. When cases of abuses were filed against American servicemen, Gordon saw nothing wrong with the accused safely inside the bases facility and waited for days before the cases were dismissed. Gordon saw nothing wrong with protecting the Americans rather than those comfort girls in those Zambales honky tonks. And of course, Gordon found nothing wrong weeply unabashedly in public while his fellow Americans left our shores.

Gordon also saw nothing wrong with Americans spraying dirty water to Gordon's fellow Filipinos protesting in Subic. Gordon even saw those protestors as "monkeys", just like what those WASPs think of us.

So, I'm not really surprised that Gordon wants to crucify the whistleblowers than the masterminds.

Or Gordon is doing it because Joey de Venecia stands to get his seat in the senatorial elections? Or, probably, that was the concession Gordon got because America and his friends, Mrs. Arroyo already agreed to revive the Clark and Subic bases and Gordon wants nothing sort of getting his old post back?

Or, Gordon really saw nothing wrong with his logic.

Martial law likely under Arroyo, says JDV

Former Arroyo ally, ex-Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. thinks that Mrs. Arroyo is planning to declare martial law.

He says that Arroyo's body language speaks for itself--the purported plan to isolate her defense secretary and replace him with a trusted general and former putschist and the worsening situation in Mindanao. De Venecia said, Mrs. Arroyo could use this to justify a declaration of martial rule. Now, if this fails, there is another opportunity--failure of the 2010 elections.

Earlier today, the palace denied talks of a Cabinet reshuffle, saying that there are no plans to replace Teodoro.

De Venecia is speculating that if these bombings hit sensitive areas or escalate, that would surely give Mrs. Arroyo enough reason to declare martial rule. Or, at the very least, declare a selective martial law, covering only Mindanao.

Rumours of martial law has been talked about in certain circles as early as January. The plan involves the escalation of violence in Mindanao. Military insiders say the plan is expected to hit paydirt in August 6. However, recent intelligence reports show that Mrs. Arroyo is planning to actualize the plan as early as the third week of July, even ahead of the State of the Nation address in July 27.

These talks are spreading fast and loud that even Washington took notice. This Sunday, CIA chief Leon Panetta will be visiting the Philippines. Panetta expects to have an audience with Mrs. Arroyo. The visit is reportedly a routine government to government matter, mostly a protocol to reiterate commitments in intelligence sharing. Some quarters however, insist that Panetta's mission is to discuss political developments with Mrs. Arroyo. Like US Defense secretary Robert Gates, Panetta's visit is Washington's way of telling Mrs. Arroyo to "come clean and toe the democratic line."