The Senate refused to agree to the Supreme Court-brokered compromise to have Secretary Romy Neri testify before the resolution of his petition to the high court. With this decision, it guaranteed that the ZTE-NBN issue will be there when it comes back after the Holy Week recess.
Malacañang, for its part, revoked Executive Order 464 along with Memorandum Circular 108, both of which form the legal basis used by the Arroyo administration to define the limits of the constitutional provisions on executive privilege. However, this does not remove the president’s power to invoke executive privilege on matters pertaining to the ZTE-NBN case. Despite this, the palace still has to regain political initiative.
The Supreme Court held a public hearing on the Neri petition and offered the compromise while it deliberates on the merits of the various arguments of petitioners and oppositors. This may take at least a month or even longer.
In the meantime, the Senate plans to continue the hearings–possibly with new witnesses–amidst a spreading and more organized public campaign against the Arroyo administration. This maintains pressure on the president while avoiding an immediate decisive confrontation that forces a GMA resignation.
A prolonged crisis scenario without a decisive ending favors those who do not want GMA to resign immediately and therefore usher in a Noli de Castro presidency. If the crisis does not force their hand, they would want to prolong things and bask in the priceless public fascination with the scandal.
What I think we have here is a dribbling of the ball. Meantime, there are unforeseen consequences–not the least of which is a possible polarization of the situation. Only extremes will be glad in the prolonging of the crisis.
[…] analyst Ramon Casiple, however, sees the NBN issue continuously dragging on. Saying the Senate’s argument that the […]
dribbling the ball, indeed. delaying tactics. but wait, who exactly is dribbling the ball? the palace? the supreme court? the senate? the resign-gma forces? all of the above? kanya-kanyang bola, kanya-kanyang court? polarization will grow, yes, but maybe that’s what it’s going to take to bring closure, and maybe a new beginning?
the palace is asking for a “lenten truce”. more dribbling!
“Lenten Truce” ? The Filipinos have been carrying the cross since Gloria took over; we’ve been walking our calvary for much too long. It’s time we nail Gloria to her cross. It’s time for the nation to resurrect to a better life; a new Philippines.
can the senate convict, should anyone be found guilty, and jail anyone at this point? or is this collection of 2010 presidentiables and quacks delaying the obvious: that in the end, the despots would not be imprisoned?
[…] his part, Mon Casiple says one problem is that there are oppositionists more interested in dribbling the ball than in […]
From what I understand in the hearings yesterday, when Sen. Allan Cayetano made the “opening remarks”, the Senate can’t actually convict anyone, since that’s the power of the courts (and is subject to the rules of court) and this is not an impeachment trial.
But, as the good chairman of the Blue Ribbon said, this hearing “in aid of legislation” could be the basis for a case that could be filed with the Ombudsman. From what I understand, that’s when the conviction begins.
So, sir Mon has a point: there’s too much dribbling. Prolonging the hearing and not going to more decisive measures would benefit only those who thrive in chaos.
And, of course, the Presidentiables. If they assume they can ride the tiger of discontent without getting them and the whole Republic eaten in the process.
but there’s already a case filed in the ombudsman right? thanks rob ramos. 😉