Romulo Neri: Will he blink?

Amongst the officials of this current dispensation, Romulo Neri, chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and formerly director-general of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) had said something that is close to a confirmation that the NBN-ZTE deal is rotten. In one interview, Neri recounted that Benjamin Abalos approached him, urging him to approve the deal (when he was still NEDA head). Abalos tried to soften him via a 200-million peso bribe. Read the entire story on Newsbreak.

What makes his story credible?

* He was moved to CHED two days after informing Gloria Arroyo of the bribe attempt.
* During the second day of Senate hearings on the deal, almost the entire Arroyo Cabinet was in the Senate; Neri was missing.
* Now, Neri is set to testify this Wednesday, but this early, Arroyo is readying CPR – yes, the much-hated calibrated, preemptive response. Executive Order 464 is not going to be the excuse this time, since Leandro Mendoza et al went to the Senate anyway. CPR is a logical choice. CPR in this case is asking Neri to accompany Arroyo to UN Tuesday night.

All eyes are now on Romulo Neri. Whether he would be the second envelop, or his revelation would lead to Arroyo losing power (Ricky Carandang says this is highly unlikely) – we cannot say. However, based on how the Arroyo regime is reacting, he has some bombs to drop.

Will he blink? Neri seems to be the kind of person who is susceptible to threats – he is a light weight who could be pushed around. At least, when he does blink, the Filipino people would know why. And the Arroyo regime has no one to blame but itself if the Filipino people thinks that way.