The Empire  Strikes Back

Every die-hard Star Wars fan knows this episode. It’s where everything was going wrong for the Rebellion. Their base on the ice planet Hoth was destroyed. Han Solo is betrayed, turned over to Vader and frozen in carbonite. And Luke loses his hand in a fight with his father, Vader. Everyone felt bad after watching this episode, and couldn’t wait for the next installment, which hopefully would bring a better fate for the Rebellion. And it did. In real life, however, the good guys are not necessarily promised a sequel to redeem victory over evil --- unfortunately.

It all began with Leo San Miguel’s testimony, which turned out to be of no help at all to the Senate’s cause in searching for the truth behind the ZTE/NBN scandal. What was supposed to be a surprise witness for the opposition turned out to be a surprise witness for the administration. Days before he appeared in the Senate, he had a lot to say to Sen. Panfilo Lacson. Then, on the day, itself --- nothing. Talk was rife that the “empire” got to him to change his testimony. And that isn’t exactly far-fetched.

And now, with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of Romulo Neri’s petition invoking executive privilege against certain questions raised by the Senate in its investigation of the ZTE/NBN controversy it is, in many in the public’s mind, the “empire” striking back. Speculation is high that this administration’s tentacles have found their way into the highest court of the land --- the last frontier of justice. One of the newly appointed justices was a former cabinet member of the Arroyo administration. It was too predictable that Justice Art Brion is of the nine who voted in favor of Neri. Senators, commentators, columnists, big businesses and the citizenry alike view this as a major setback in the search for answers, and is widely feared as setting a precedent for future investigations that the Senate may conduct. With the law now on the side of the President’s powers over the right of the public to know the truth and Congress’ jurisdiction over executive matters --- invoking executive privilege would be so easy to avoid scrutiny.  The argument of the Senate that the decision undermines its functions as co-equal to the other branches of government is convincing. In fact, it has suspended indefinitely its inquiry into the ZTE/NBN controversy as it studies the ramifications of the SC ruling, and figures a way to reverse such a ruling.  The split decision with only two concurring over the dissenters is considered a frail argument. 

Yes, Gloria Arroyo is a very lucky b---h, as according to her ally Governor Joey Salceda.  With Freedom and democracy fighter Cory Aquino now battling colon cancer GMA is again emboldened to claim victory over her critics. This particular episode is clearly of the administration --- for now.  This country can only hope for a sequel.