|
Monday, October 31, 2005
Mongaya: Coup jitters again?
By Anol Mongaya
Coup rumors never end. I was quite amused at how a US embassy report in February this year caused jitters after a national paper published it recently.
The February report mentioned the involvement of former president Fidel V. Ramos. But there are quarters that used this report to spread talk that Ramos is into the coup business again.
The report first got into the hands of the opposition. Thanks to their spies in America. I understand the report had influenced opposition plans that unfolded last June and July. But during that critical Friday when the Hyatt 10, the Senate President Franklin Drilon wing of the Liberal Party and former president Cory Aquino ganged up on President Arroyo, who came to Malacañang to show his support?
But lest you would think that I have gone to exonerate FVR, let me tell you that a group identified with retired general Fortunato Abat met over the weekend in Cebu to plot out post-GMA alternatives. The meetings’ agenda reportedly was to select OICs to replace present local government officials after GMA steps down. They are riding on real discontent within some quarters inside the AFP.
Yet why have they begun contacting people as possible OICs now? Is the selection of OICs really the agenda or are they merely trying to create noise to again stir coup rumors?
In my view, the coup rumor is linked with the move of pro-FVR quarters to push President Arroyo to agree to “constitutionally” shorten her term. This could be done through the present Charter Change or cha-cha process.
Note that during that critical Friday when FVR rushed to Malacañang to talk about cha-cha as he lent his presence to support GMA before television cameras, the retired general’s men had pushed for the exile of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.
Fortunately for President Arroyo, rumors such as these could not fly because the parliament of the streets could hardly mobilize hundreds of thousands unlike before. A discontented military commander today would move only if a popular rising is on the way or he risks following the way of the Magdalo hotheads.
Besides, GMA has shown us toughness and political guile in her bid to stay in power. I’m sure she will do her best to stay in power until 2010 whether it will be under the present Constitution or a new one.
***
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña never runs out of outrageous ideas on how to make people bow to his will. When the target of his ire were the Sto. Niño vendors, he had the gall to close down the basilica’s main gate. When his pet peeve became the people of Talisay, he closed down the south coastal road even if he or the City does not own it. After a court decision opened the road, somebody began throwing spikes while Osmeña merely shrugged and said the court now manages the road. His latest ploy against the residents of the City Hall condo is to turn this into a quarantine facility for bird flu when nobody yet in the Philippines has been infected.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
(October 31, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
