“Ang dagdag, ang dagdag” from Visayan Daily Star
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism’s blog (pcij.org/blog) has an earthshaking revelation. After they had a technician enhance the taped conversation between a woman (probably GMA) and Garcillano, they heard the woman say, “pero yun nga, yung dagdag, yung dagdag (but you know, the padding, the padding). This was in connection with the woman’s concern that the Namfrel count does not tally with the Comelec’s. These were on May 26, and June 10, but according to PCIJ, on May 31, the woman actually referred to votes being padded.
It was also the PCIJ’s investigative reports that gave the “Erap resign” movement momentum after it reported the houses of Erap, notably the one in New Manila which was reportedly for Laarni Enriquez.
Given GMA’s renewed confidence after getting Fidel Ramos’ on her side and interpreting the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ statement as being in her favor, I doubt if she will admit that she is the woman in the tape who said, ” yung dagdag, yung dagdag.” Can the people expect or believe that even with this new evidence, the House of Representatives and the Senate will impeach GMA? No they don’t. The people have lost trust and respect for our politicians and political institutions, and cannot trust that the traditional and corrupt politicians will be enlightened and impeach GMA. What will happen is that they will instead find another opportunity to hold the woman hostage to their political interests.
That is why the people are taking to the streets. As of 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon yesterday, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism’s blog reported that there were about 65,000 in Ayala Avenue, which is so far the biggest rally ever put up against GMA. That number is expected to increase after 5, when people get off work. GMA is hoping that the rallies will lose steam, and if she digs in she will win in the end. After all, she has the power, resources, the police, the NBI, and most of the politicians on her side.
Pulse Asia’s latest survey shows that 72 percent of people in Metro Manila distrust GMA, and 80 percent believe that she cheated or manipulated the vote count. 58 percent say that she should resign, and only 20 percent think that Congress should solve the issue, such as by impeachment.
In Bacolod, only about 2,000 were in the “GMA resign!” rally. The issue of cheating has not struck the cord in the Negrenses’ middle class mind. Besides, this is understandable since Mike Arroyo is from this province, and GMA has many allies here. The Negrense elite fought Marcos in the end because their lifeblood, sugar, was at stake, but is slow to action in this issue of GMA cheating the vote count. But shouldn’t they be as angry that in GMA’s term, smuggling of sugar has not been stopped? Who are the powerful people behind smuggling not only of sugar but other commodities? You should hear what Filipino-Chinese business people have to say about this.
GMA is digging in. The country’s credit rating is going down. The protests will take more creative forms other than rallying, and trust the Filipinos to do just that in this prolonged battle (we are not the people power capital of the world for nothing). To prove that GMA didn’t influence the Supreme Court, the government is moving heavens to have the Temporary Restraining Order lifted. Once the E-VAT is implemented, prices of basic commodities will go up. The protests will continue. A non-violent solution to the crisis, the CBCP said. Impeachment can begin, and with PCIJ’s new found evidence, the case against GMA will be easier to prove. Add to that the revelations that Dinky Soliman et al will disclose in the hearings. To make it easier, GMA can save the country by stepping down, and along with her, the entire Commission on Elections.
