Thursday, November 08, 2007 Wenceslao: Cracks in the coalition By Bong O. Wenceslao Candid Thoughts
IT was a unity meeting that may not have really patched up the cracks in the administration coalition. I am referring to the Saturday gathering attended by, among others, President Arroyo and Lakas-CMD stalwarts House Speaker Jose de Venecia and former president Fidel V. Ramos. The photo op later showed them flashing wide smiles.
The meeting momentarily stopped rumors of the coalition’s breakup and the supposed ouster of de Venecia from his post. The result: the session of the House of Representatives resumed Monday sans the fireworks expected earlier. Ramos was even heard bragging that the President will now be able to survive until her term ends in 2010.
But days after the unity meeting, cracks are again showing in two fronts: on the bribe giving controversy and the impeachment issue. In both instances, Arroyo loyalists are criticizing de Venecia loyalists for acts not so loyal to Arroyo. De Venecia people were accused of launching “well-calculated moves” to fight back threats of JDV’s ouster.
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The political opposition and leaders of the so-called “civil society” are at it again, asking President Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro to resign and calling for the holding of a snap election. It looks like the national broadband network scandal and the recent “bribe-giving”-in-Malacañang controversy have reinvigorated Arroyo critics.
The call, however, will continue to sound empty if no visible pressure is exerted outside of Malacañang. By pressure, I mean not only press releases or photo ops but widespread protest actions. Recycling of calls by recycled leaders will only be laughed off by the President. Unfortunately, it has become harder to mount rallies nowadays.
Thus, while the impeachment effort may have been scuttled this year, using it to boot out Arroyo is still the best option for her critics next year. If they are patient enough, their break could come when the crack between the President and de Venecia widens. De Venecia loyalists jumping to the opposition will signal the end of Arroyo’s rule.
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Is it still too early to say, we told you so? The defiance showed by President Estrada to attempts by the Sandiganbayan to sequester his assets, while normal for a property owner, shows the kind of situation now in effect after the President granted him pardon. And despite his vow not to seek an elective post, he may yet run in 2010.
