Monday, October 29, 2007 Mercado: Erap still capable of mischief By Ram Mercado First Person
POLITICS, being the no. 1 industry in the Philippines, will get more exciting and lively as the nation welcomes the return of the Great Erap to freedom.
As usual our people are dazed and confused with the welter of opinions pro and con of the pardon given the deposed President.
The only issue beyond contradiction is that Erap's return to civilian life as an "ex-con" will provide new and novel amusement to the political scene.
Erap loves to talk and when he does, expect new additions to the classic "Eraptions," now collectors' items, on the King's English.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada has a nationwide following. His relevance to Pampanga arises less as a movie actor than as former President and a patron of many Kapampangan leaders.
Twice he attempted to oust then Pampanga governor Lito Lapid from the Capitol. In successive suspension orders calculated to put the Porac folk hero out of circulation, Erap nearly succeeded.
Lapid would have received the coup d'grace and definitely ousted as governor had not Estrada been toppled by Edsa 2.
Up to this time, knowledgeable associates and supporters of Lapid do not believe that Erap's anger on the former governor was politically-motivated. The suspicion was that Lito Lapid who, at his prime a macho lover boy, was involved with an Erap's love interest. The actress's identity remains a secret.
As it happens to us mortals, when somebody steals your love (say your wife or girlfriend) you are capable of running amuck and acts of retaliation. The victim keeps quiet and cannot even discuss the incident, not even with your best friends.
That has been the rumor or canard surrounding the bad blood between Lito and Erap. To this day, we have yet to hear that the two are on speaking terms.
The late Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ) tried to patch up the differences between his mutual friends but failed. During the period, FPJ was working on Lapid-Erap's reconciliation, Estrada tried calling Governor Lapid by phone, but he could not be contacted. That further infuriated Erap so that when he was elected President, suspending Lapid from office came swift and merciless.
Estrada found an ally in the person of former governor Estelito Mendoza who was one of his principal advisers, then part of his legal counsel in the impeachment case.
To initiate massive reforms in the Capitol during Lapid's second suspension from office, Mendoza had then senior board member Edna David appointed as acting governor of Pampanga. Edna is now board member, the only one in the Provincial Board who was former governor.
Mendoza, who loves Pampanga to a passion, had President Estrada appoint a Kapampangan -- businessman Sergio Naguiat, Jr. -- as president and chief executive officer of Clark Development Corporation.
To quarterback for Serge, Mendoza also caused the appointment of Hilana Timbol Roman, a Stanford University economics scholar and actuarial expert, as CDC vice president.
Estrada had a stake in Pampanga through Lawyer Mendoza's counsel and advice on Kapampangan development.
Erap precipitated the downfall of Mondragon honcho Antonio Gonzalez as the celebrity investor and founder of Mimosa Leisure Resort by scuttling its operation and taking over, through CDC, the burgeoning resort and tourist facilities.
Gonzales has never bounced back from the government's takeover of his domain, then the chief tourist spot in Pampanga.
Is Erap capable of mischief at his age 70?
Erap's known weakness for women is a legend. Any new mischief that may arise could mostly be woman-related like his Original Sin in the Palace during the historic visit of the lovely bank executive Clarissa Ocampo.
With her crossed pretty legs attractively in place, the President bristled like a stallion at the other room. From the door he saw what shapely, porcelain-smooth upper thigh the visitor has.
In characteristic gallantry and braggadocio patently Erap, he confidently impressed the good-looking lady who was there for him to fill up information on bank documents. He smelled her exotic fragrance.
Thus he affixed his famous signature "Jose Velarde" as though there was no tomorrow. That's the kind of mischief that the ex-con can do in "barako" moments when he likes or is attracted to a girl.
Former President Fidel Ramos believes the ex-con poses a threat to President Arroyo's administration.
Given his popularity, his political machinery, and resources, FVR thinks Erap might cause trouble to GMA within the last three years of her presidency. Yes, but not within unmanageable range, I believe.
Whatever mischief Erap may create, GMA has a calculated the risk in giving him clemency. She has a battle-tested army-police combined capable of dismantling huge street rallies; she has the numbers in congressmen; she has the loyalty and support of local government (except Governor Ed Panlilio?).
Give him few weeks' respite, and after his mother, now dying, is finally interred, Erap will start "erupting."
Then GMA can get back at her tormentors and principal detractors: Senators Ping Lacson and Mar Roxas, particularly, who are known presidential aspirants. She can have the full satisfaction and joy of seeing Lacson and Roxas cry their hearts out when Erap sways his support to Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. in the 2010 derby.
That's how GMA, a woman scorned, can cause hell to both Lacson and Roxas. Look at Villar, he has disengaged from antagonizing GMA unnecessarily.
Don't underestimate a "pardoning" woman. She becomes more dangerous when she forgives.
