Despite the long weekend, the political scene remains to be hot and controversial. To be honest, all these controversies seem to begin with the NBN-ZTE deal. It must be a huge can of worms that the Fortress had barraged us with mini-controversies so that we can forget about it. Too bad I can’t.

After the almost-scary episode with the wimp called Romy Neri, there’s the impeach-me complaint, and the rainmaker meeting at the Fortress (with around Php 200,000 allegedly distributed to congressmen to expedite the disposal of the impeach-me complaint, which they did the same day), the weekend saw Pampanga Governor Fr. Ed Panlilio confessing that he received Php 500,000 from someone in the Fortress.

On all counts, some people confirmed and denied the monies (two governors confirmed that they were also given monies, while the in-Heaven-right-now ULAP denies such monies; this scene is the same with the congressmen). Is the yes/no part of psychological warfare, to confuse everyone? Or is it just a symptom of the Fortress’ organized chaos?

One of the Cinderella finishers in this year’s elections, Panlilio is a controversial figure, a priest who managed to defeat a strong political machine to gain the seat at the City of San Fernando. He won by a slim margin, without a ticket, without political machine. Now, he managed to turn quarrying into a profitable business, from around Php 1 million a year during the time of the Lapids to Php 1 million a month.

But now, he admitted that he got Php 500,000, handed over by someone (revealed to be Bulacan Governor Jonjon Mendoza, who also admitted that he, too got some monies) to his chief of staff.

Ellen Tordesillas asked her blog readers: What would you do if you were in Fr. Ed’s shoes?

There is a group of press people assigned at the Fortress. If I were Panlilio, I would have asked my chief of staff to seek these reporters, and there and then show them the money. I would not take the money, but would not give it back, either. There’s one sensible comment at Mam Ellen’s blog that I would have done if I were Panlilio and were told to do so: stamp each bill with REJECTED so that every bill can’t be used.

Panlilio must realize that Cardinal Sin was wrong. Sin’s justification of receiving donations from crooks is technically money-laundering. Even if the money is used for the public good, the fact remains that the money came from illegal means. Besides, he can never erase the impression that he was bribed; his reputation remains clean, but for how long? As they say, all it takes is one mistake to ruin your reputation. I will not blame anyone if they think that Panlilio has been eaten by the system. While I won’t think that way (yet), I think he was a victim of his own naivete and wrong values.

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And now that the Fortress is pushing for Charter change (again), on what context should we put the Php 500,000 money? The Fortress is not making it hard for us to connect the dots. I will not be surprised if people’s initiative and Sigaw ng Bayan lookalike emerge out of nowhere. It is 2006 all over again.

Choose the phrase/statement that logically follows the given events:
1. Impeach-me filed. Fortress summons 200 congressmen. Congressmen given Php 200,000. Congressmen saw complaint transmitted to House Justice committee on the same day.
a. Gloria Arroyo becomes impeachment-proof for one year.
b. House transmits impeachment complaint to Senate.
c. House elects new Speaker.

2. Fortress summons local leaders. Governors given Php 500,000. Fortress announces new Charter change bid.
a. Gloria Arroyo is impeached.
b. People’s initiative launches.
c. Neri bares all.