This scandal is probably going to be an annual staple in the Philippine political scene. It refuses to die. If it is the truth, then truth shall always prevail. Anyway, is the third time the charm?
In a privilege speech, Senator Panfilo Lacson dropped a bomb (time will tell if this is a dud): a video testimony from one Vidal Doble. Yes, the same guy who (1) gave the mother of all tapes to one Samuel Ong; (2) sought refuge in a seminary after giving the tape; and (3) was surrendered by high ranking members of the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This is a bomb since after 2005, we haven’t heard from him. (Here is Senator Lacson’s privilege speech.)
Lacson called for the Senate Defense Committee to reopen the investigation, but the Senate of the Republic has decided to investigate as Committee of the Whole. This will finally test where Senator Manny Villar stands.
What will happen next?
1. The Fortress will do a Mahusay. Remember during the Jose Pidal investigation, Lacson’s witness was “rescued” by Mike Defensor?
2. Oliver Lozano will be resurrected to file an infirm impeachment complaint. Rodante Marcoleta will immediately endorse the said complaint. Edcel Lagman will issue another set of prejudicial questions. The complaint will be trashed 2xx-xx.
3. Ignacio Bunye will present two discs again, the original and the doctored. Wait, maybe he’ll produce the cellphones instead.
4. Bong Austero will condemn all demonstrators and will urge everyone to move on.
5. Virgilio Garcillano will once again hide, either in Singapore or somewhere in Mindanao. Maybe this time he’ll become a member of Abu Sayyaff. Or Jemaah Islamiyah.
6. The Armed Forces of the Philippines will deny that they have the capability to tap phones. But they will be hard pressed to explain when they apply for wiretap permissions under the Human Security Act.
7. Gloria Arroyo’s approval and trust ratings will again become negative, double-digits this time. Probably.
8. The economy will be plunged into chaos, and the opposition will be blamed for it.
9. (Add your own prediction in the comments below.)
10. Gloria Arroyo will appear on TV and say “I’m sorry” once again. Heck, maybe they’ll just replay the 2005 version. The video will win the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture, using Bayani Fernando’s criteria.