Blackouts coming?

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More and more rumors are popping up about the possibility of military intervention. One popular SMS-forward claims that as soon as a critical mass of one million people is reached, the military will side against the administration.

The human chain today was successful, and the crowd at Edsa continues to grow (estimated about 100,000 to 200,000 people already). The planned rally/march from the Edsa Shrine to Mendiola may be postponed to allow other militant anti-Erap groups to join. I worry that it may get bloody as pro-Erap and anti-Erap rallies clash.

Just a warning: in the event of a coup d’etat, I will most likely not be able to update this blog, because these military uprisings are usually accompanied by citywide power blackouts.

Possible military dissension?

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Possible military dissension has Erap worried? Like I said, a military coup to remove Erap from power is likely; maybe not this week, but soon. Of course, his advisers and secretaries claim that everything is under control and that the military is loyal to the administration, but wouldn’t we expect them to tell us that to try and maintain some semblance of stability?

In 1986, dictator Ferdinand Marcos sent tanks and soldiers to Edsa to disperse the People Power rally back then. But the people stood up to the tanks, and the military personnel eventually ended up joining the rallyists and defecting. It could happen again.

Nora Aunor leaves Erap

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Movie star Nora Aunor has withdrawn her support for Erap. One of his more prominent [ex-]supporters, “Ate Guy” used to star alongside Erap in movies, and actively campaigned for Erap during the presidential race. Now she claims she is leaving his side because he has been beating her, and that she has information regarding his corrupt practices as president. Nora has a huge fan following. Let’s hope her pro-Erap fans have the sense to follow her example and stop supporting this corrupt president as well.

In the meantime, pro-Erap rallyists started gathering at Mendiola Bridge around the same time the Edsa rally was starting. However, TV and newspaper interviews with some of the supporters revealed that many were there because they had been promised a small amount of money (“food allowance” daw) for attending the rally. The amount of the bribe ranged from P40 to P250.

Dancing Tessie

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I may have neglected to blog about this particular item before: Senator Tessie-Aquino Oreta was seen triumphantly dancing, openly gloating, and even making faces at the opposition after winning the vote against opening the controversial envelopes. Her actions were immature and completely inapproppriate, no matter who she claims they were directed at.

It has been a costly indignity for her, earning her the wrath of negative public opinion, and forever marking her as “Dancing Balato Queen” of the Senate. I doubt she’ll ever be able to live down the people’s reactions to her immaturity.

Imeldificity!

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Let’s cut away from Erap for a moment to read a little news-bite in Asiaweek about Imelda Marcos, First Lady of Erap’s former patron the late ex-president and despotic dictator Ferdinand Marcos…

And after 30 years, they’re still shuddering. Official papers just made public reveal that Imelda Marcos, below, widow of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, pushed the famed British reserve to the limit during what was supposed to be a private visit to London in 1970. Seething Foreign Office mandarins couldn’t complain that they weren’t warned, however. In a briefing by the British ambassador to Manila, the then first lady’s previous behavior abroad was described as “exigent, difficult, tactless and inconsiderate as it was possible to be.” Even her brother, Kokoy Romualdez, counseled that his sister was completely uncontrollable. But what really jarred were the tactics Imelda employed to be granted an audience with Queen Elizabeth, which diplomats said were tantamount to blackmail. “The Philippine effrontery is almost breathtaking,” one official fumed. “There are limits beyond which we cannot and should not go to meet Mrs. Marcos’ wishes.”

And today she still torments us with her existence.

Senatorial Tempers

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You know something? Senator Roco loses his temper with a lot more dignity than Miriam Defensor-Santiago. (With gritted teeth and a lawyerly tick, “He is NOT a member of this COURT!”)

EDSA 2?

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CNN’s latest bit on the Philippine political crisis. The crowd at EDSA is growing, and former president Ramos — an ex-general — has arrived from Hong Kong to make an appearance at the protest rally. We may be looking at a military coup to oust Erap before this week is out; I hear that elements in the Armed Forces are more loyal to Ramos.

The prosecution panel in the impeachment trial has officially resigned, unable to continue the impeachment case against Estrada in a Senate that is tainted with bias and blatant support for a corrupt, pro-Erap administration. Amidst heated tempers and raised voices by Senator Roco and the defense counsel, the impeachment court has been adjourned until the House of Representatives can decide on a course of action regarding the prosecution’s resignation.

A local newspaper publisher has disclosed the contents of the controversial sealed envelopes: bank documents related to the “Jose Velarde” account, totalling P1.206 billion (21M dollars), according to Pinoy Times publisher Eugenia Apostol. TV news reports say the suspected drawees include businessman Lucio Tan; Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. CEO Manuel Pangilinan, Jaime Dichaves; and Antonio Evangelista, who owns the company linked to the purchase of the “Boracay” mansion.

Or it may be something else in those envelopes. Heh heh.

Erap Resign?

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Raffy has revamped his page, and it is now called “have a nice day.” Sure, Raff. Uh, whatever you say. ;)

Oh, and I uploaded my new design for my homegrown design “business,” Simplesight, a venue for me to offer my HTML services to anyone who’ll pay. There are some cool wallpapers and logo screens there too, all made by yours truly.

Back on the Philippine political front, there’s a big rally later on Ayala, and the EDSA one is growing, with Cardinal Sin officiating a Mass at around noon. I’m hoping enough dissension spreads through the military and the government for a quick, decisive, anti-administration coup d’etat to break out, to oust the current corrupt incompetent in power.

If you’re interested in what else is happening over here in the Philippines, go to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which has live breaking news updates on their front page.

Edsa II Starts

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Blatantly pro-Erap Senators, displaying absolutely no sense of impartiality or justice, yesterday voted NO to the opening of important evidence which could show President Estrada guilty of bribery and corruption. Immediately afterwards, the prosecution panel and Senate President Nene Pimentel resigned from their positions, and a People Power protest was launched. The revolution has started, people. The Philippines is standing up. We’re not going to take this travesty of justice anymore.

PRO-ERAP: The senators who voted against the opening of the sealed envelope:

Francisco “Kit” Tatad

Miriam Defensor-Santiago

Juan Ponce Enrile

Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan

John Osmeña

Tessie Aquino-Oreta

Anna Dominique Coseteng

Blas Ople

Robert Jaworski

Vicente Sotto III

Ramon Revilla

ANTI-ERAP: Those who voted for the opening of the envelope:

Senators Raul Roco

Franklin Drilon

Renato Cayetano

Rodolfo Biazon

Loren Legarda-Leviste

Juan Flavier

Teofisto Guingona

Sergio Osmeña III

Ramon Magsaysay Jr.

Aquilino Pimentel