Recent highlights

It is very interesting to watch the various recent moves of GMA and her administration. Early January, GMA releases her first 2006 promise: Billions for her anti-poor program basically centered on her rice-corn subsidy for the poor who are difficult to trace, according to her NEDA director.

When four Oakwood officers escaped, she was seen distributing rice packages to selected students. Then, she released her second promise: A love bonus for government employees to be released on the love month of February.

As news of another round of destabilization plans and schemes are in the air, GMA is seen busy consolidating her control and influence with political groups, first LAKAS, then the Liberal Party.

Most of the House Representatives are already in her spell, especially with the proposed Noel ( no elections in 2007) as a most recent gift to those who wish to hold on to their position. Like GMA who is perceived as glued to her questioned presidency, who among the present politicians will want to oppose the proposed Chacha when they are assured of dancing through an extended term without elections?

GMA has also been busy making the rounds of provinces, consolidating her control of local leaders as well. In the midst of counter-movements and recent challenges to her administration, she and her group are busy consolidating her own forces, within and outside Manila. And perhaps even with the US government?

We still have to hear from GMA about the VFA-related hot issues. As a female, GMA seems to have stayed silent about the rape of another Filipino woman by American soldiers. She has been mute on the refusal of the US Government to hand over the custody of the American soldiers to Filipino authorities.

The discontented members of the military are also busy consolidating their forces and have been very visible with their press releases. Lately, Honasan has resurrected, causing many to ask if another coup is just around the corner?

The NPAs have also been making their presence and their opposition to GMA and her administration with their provincial campaigns. The students are back on the streets, either resorting to the conventional street rallies or reinventing protest in new forms and presentations.

And the commemoration of EDSA's people power is just weeks away. Erap has himself been making moves to be out in the custody of Archbishop Cardinal Vidal of Cebu.

What a politically active first three weeks of January! What do all these political movements and maneuvers mean for our people?

Are our people even aware of all these political movements? Or are most busy making ends meet with the growing burden of the EVAT power bringing added heavier pressure to their tight, limited budget?

February is viewed as the month when the real power of EVAT strikes the ordinary consumer. Everyone is warned about price hikes, oil, cooking gas, food and more.

Will February synthesize the various political movements and counter-movements and show a realignment of forces? Will the people, expected to be harder pressed by EVAT be more willing soon to stage another people power? Will February continue the present government or will it usher in a new one?

We wonder how the present January events in politics, in the military, in the streets, in the provinces, in VFA, in the constitution (Chacha and No-el) and EVAT will unfold in the next days and months to come?