Who's calling the shots now?

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

More unnerving than any of the issuances from the Office of the President - like the unpopular CPR, or Calibrated Preemptive Response, the repressive Executive Order 464, that bans government officials from heeding summons from Congress to testify without permission from the President, and even the fearsome Proclamation No. 1017 declaring the country in a state of national emergency - are the latest statements from two of our most outspoken and respected senators on the prevailing situation in the Philippines today.

Senator Rodolfo Biazon, on Wednesday, cautioned the Armed Forces of the Philippines not to get intoxicated with power. This was after a spokesman of the AFP reportedly bragged that the military in the country can "make or break the government".

Biazon, himself a former military man, a general, in fact, and a former chief of staff of the AFP itself, should know whereof he speaks. He himself had been in the forefront when coup attempts were made during the presidency of Corazon Aquino, but then there had been no indication, even through mere words that the military considered itself in a position to "make or break" the duly-constituted authority.

We say this is unnerving because the President herself is apparently putting so much trust and confidence in the support and loyalty to her of the country's military. This, despite the fact that, in every crisis that had threatened her authority, segments of the military had been involved and had to be quelled to restore sanity.

Then there is the statement of Senator Joker Arroyo that the military is "now in the saddle", is the one "calling the shots", and "in a position to dictate the terms of what the government should do". Another former general, also now Senator, Panfilo Lacson also noted what he calls the "high-handed" behavior of some military officers. Worse, there are also observations that the Palace is hostage to the military.

A congressman known for his closeness and loyalty to the President, however, calls that "an old joke".

We fervently hope he is the one who is right.*