This early, many events are already being connected–rightly or wrongly–to the 2010 presidential election still more than a year from now. This underscores the crucial nature of the 2010 elections–fortunes, literally, will rise or fall on the outcome.
Among the events that are subject to barbershop speculation is the resurrection of the Dacer case (Erap-Lacson), Legacy case (de Castro), ICRC staff kidnapping (Gordon), election automation (GMA candidate), and attacks on automation (other candidates). Earlier, Sen. Villar got his with the C-5 extension issue.
Some of the speculations are indeed election-related; some may even be true. What is important is that scenarios are again rearing their collective heads and provide fodder to the favorite Filipino sport of politics. What is disturbing is that the parameters of these scenarios go beyond the electoral or constitutional boundaries and basically have sunk to the level of the law of the jungle. To win–by whatever means–seems to be the rule of the coming 2010 elections.
We hear now of speculations of possible “automated cheating,” a June 30, a 2010 no-president scenario based on failure of elections, charter change via martial law or state of emergency declaration, an outright martial rule, a coup or similar scenario, etc. What gives…? Normal Philippine elections, obviously!
The path before the government is like an extremely difficult problem in chess.The Gloria administration is expected to make certain number of moves given a specific time limit .
The overarching problem of all is 2010.They need to come up with different game plans in their remaining 467 days in office(as of March 19,2009) to legally extend Gloria’s stay in Malacanang.