The loyalists around her

“She may be a bitch, but she's the luckiest bitch around.”

Guess who former congressman and now Governor Joey Salceda was referring to when he said that before a gathering of people from the academe, and under television coverage, too? None other than his boss, who is believed to count on him as one of her most loyal subjects. Red-faced, after realizing what he had said, when the audience broke into howls of laughter, Salceda tried to explain that it was only a joke. In fact one of his companions, Nereus Acosta, also tried to gloss over it by saying Salceda was like that, always joking and outspoken, etcetera. That only made the audience howl more.

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What kind of “loyalists” does President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have around her? Only a few days ago, one of them was also quoted as having described her as “evil”. And yet, how forgiving she must be, because the one who reportedly called her “evil” did not even bother to deny it, only said he forgot whether he said it or not. And there he was, walking close to her side on Malacañang grounds, closer even than Vice President Noli de Castro, certainly much closer Finance Secretary Gary Teves, who is now rumored to be on his way out. In fact Neri was nearer than the overstaying Chief of the Armed Forces, who is being referred to in whispers as a clone of the late Fabian Ver.

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The scene was part of the so-called “Unity Walk” said to be a brainstorm of the Executive Secretary, to show to the world that all the cabinet members are one, are still hers. It made nice photos for the front pages, but if you had seen it on TV, you would think that their pace, and their faces, looked as if they were following a funeral cortege. When they smiled, obviously for the camera, their smiles looked fixed. They should have held a rehearsal of that walk, and of their smiles first.

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But don't wonder why VP de Castro does not seem to be at ease in the group. Since the time a survey said he was the top among those considered for the presidency, a lot of text messages, and even subtle hints in newspaper columns, have been coming out, revealing some shenanigans he has been up to. Like having a lady friend, like buying a multi-million house for her in an upscale subdivision, things like that. That could only mean that Noli may not be aware of it, but there could be an attempt to remind people that he is not for that office, that no one else is, yet.

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There is a perception that Malacañang is getting frantic and trying everything to control the damage that the unlikely hero, Jun Lozada, or, better still, J. Lo, and those who are in charge have reason. Yesterday, Brother Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord movement, came out calling the recent developments “acts of God”. “He is now about to execute His divine judgment upon proponents of wickedness in this country,” the former presidential candidate entoned. He also hinted that his group may soon get their marching orders.

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And then, too, there is the influential business group called FINEX, or the association of Financial Executives, that has gone the way of the Makati Business Club in calling for the President's resignation. Maybe that is why the rumors about the eventual departure of Finance Secretary Teves are getting louder and louder. A one-page advertisement in the Inquirer yesterday was headed “TIME TO GO” in bold, heavy letters. It said people must not be deluded by what it called “ephemeral gains” like the strengthening peso, the narrowing deficit, and expanding economy. It carried the names of 69 former cabinet members and other high-ranking officials, heads of government institutions, many of them believed to have been advisers, or very close to the Arroyo family before. But she hasn't yet called anyone of them traitors or even Brutus, as ousted speaker Jose de Venecia did.

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Whenever I start to feel some niggling doubts about the sincerity and honesty of whistleblower Jun Lozada, I am reminded of how his friends and co-workers were so ready and willing to provide him with thousands in cold cash when they thought he needed it. Look at former secretary Mike Defensor. Just like that, he handed Lozada P50,000 for his personal needs while abroad. There was also deputy executive secretary Manuel Gaite, who promptly sent P500,000 for Lozada through his brother. They did not make him sign a promissory note, or “pagare”, even just a receipt for the amount. That could only mean that they consider him a thoroughly trustworthy fellow. I'm inclined to think that, too, what about you?*

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