>With the ISAFP wiretapping fiasco, AFP is in a shaky position.
Consequently, Gen. Senga’s confirmation is also on the line.
>AFP’s waywardness alarms the solons.
"If spying, like wiretapping non-military matters, is tolerated, the AFP can blackmail the President, legislators, the opposition and everyone else." (quoted from Sen. Joker Arroyo)
>AFP and Garci’s evasiveness fuels more suspicions against GMA’s legitimacy. They must have forgotten the maxim that silence means YES.
>JDV wants a respite from political noise.
GMA also wants a respite from poisoned politics.
(Translation: Leave us alone!)
>negative 30% net satisfaction rating (-23& from last qtr)
With that, GMA rightfully deserves the title of being the ‘most disliked president since 1986’. Bleak numbers despite string of good news (record high remittances, record high tourist arrivals, triumph in the SEA games, appreciation of peso, falling oil prices, etc.)
>Ret. Gen. Fortunato Abat offers an option.
That people should decide between him or GMA.
Apparently, he had installed himself as “president” of the “revolutionary transition gov’t”. Some sort of a messianic adventurism? The Palace dismissed it as pathetic and DOJ even charged him and company of inciting to sedition. But some senators claimed that it’s a reflection of hopelessness and disappointment about the Philippine political state-of-affairs
“Abat's call is an articulation of the people’s sentiment.” (Editorial, Malaya, 16 December 2005)
>Isagani Cruz warned not to constitutionalize GMA’s arrogance. Similar to that of Marcos when he “personalized” the Constitution during his reign.
>“Regime enemies have always watched the satisfaction ratings as the cue to stage moves to oust the President. The ratings were interpreted as signs of widespread discontent that could trigger mass movements and the withdrawal of military and police support from the regime.” (Amando Doronilla, PDI, 16 December 2005)
