After May 2007... what now?

Clearly the elections of May 2007 is all about the opposition. The 7-3-2 victory (7 to GO, 3 to TU and 2 Independents) is really the mid-term vote of the populace to the GMA Administration. The message to the Senate has been defined with no ifs and buts. The fact that Congressman-elect and candidate for Speaker Jose de Venecia is still consolidating a few days before the SONA on 23 July is also a telltale sign of the kind of support the GMA Administration will be getting from the House of Representatives as it prepares for its sunset ride to 2010.

As Cebu played an important role in 2004, so it is today. In the fight for the Speakership, a gentleman from Cebu is trying to prevent a speakership for the 5th term for Sunshine Joe. Congressman Pabling Garcia, a noted lawyer and expert on legislative rules and motions, is using parliamentary maneuverings to get an interim set of rules approved for the selection of the Speakership. Issues have been raised by their proxies in the run up to Monday, 23 July.

The Senate is also breaking apart. From a supposedly strong opposition after May 2007, the Villar Group, initially eased out by other presidentiables in the opposition wagon, gained strength by the support of the allies of the administration. Villar just needed 4 "oppositionists" to secure the Senate Presidency. These are ESCUDERO, CAYETANO, PANGILINAN, and ESTRADA. Despite presidentiables LEGARDA, ROXAS and LACSON (LEROLAC) all on one side, it showed that the Villar Group was quite skillful in backroom operations because after the much publicized secret balloting at Manila Golf among the so-called members of the LEROLAC Group, the same was left holding an empty bag, with their candidate, former Senate President Nene Pimentel saying he is not interested al all since his name was merely floated by the opposition. Worst, there was no quorum to hold a secret ballot.

The Genuine Opposition is set to have its convention on Thursday, 19 July. Lets see where the coalition will go in the everchanging political landscape of the country. As it tries to consolidate, the administration attempts to write one of the last three SONAs of Gloria. It has been said that it will be a joyride to First World. We have to watch and see for ourselves how the whole wrapping up of the Great Filipino Gift will happen.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is a joy to watch as it soundly faced the challenges of the times. Cheers to Chief Justice Puno! Guys and gals...there is HOPE!