ERAP-LED FOOD FIGHT “Trying to Wash His Hands Clean Before 2010”

After the truth is out of former President Erap Estrada financing a movement called the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI), which claims to be a movement identified with its participation on transparent and accountable budget system in the government, public cannot help but speculate on whether these current hype on Gloria’s expensive dinners were for the sake of finance lucidity or for political grooming. The Estradas who had just doled-out a huge amount to finance ABI surely expects something in return by the end of coming election. Besides, ABI conveners- Liling Briones and Jose Diokno who both served under the short-lived Estrada administration would not be giving their services for nothing. Last August 5th, Erap handed-out another split-cash worth Php 100,000 for ABI in time for ABI’s participation in the Social Watch Philippines that had been scrutinizing the 2009 financial budget.

Other than ABI, Erap was also rumored making links with various media outfits in the country with the help of certain Rick Serrano. The two were actually feeding press people with things that could generate another tension that could inevitably spark another Edsa Kwatro. With the way things are, Erap is noticeably making the bargains to stall the coming elections. This way he could probably be thinking of reliving Gloria’s ascendancy to power and maybe rule us for another decade. Philippine politics is clearly on its biggest downfall when we’re having laundered politicians coming back in.

The fiasco over the $20,000 in Le Cirque and that of the $15,000 steakhouse buffet could have been a doing of one very “fascinated” administration rival. The intent of getting a closer look at Gloria’s whereabouts and activities in the U.S could not have been for sole reasons of transparency? Besides, the hype on the Arroyo’s spendings and earnings had been hyped since ABI and Erap’s 2010 presidential ambition started sinking-in. This is obviously a well-coordinated effort which none could have prepared unless he had this strong disagreement with Gloria.

As the 2010 election nears, politics is getting dirtier than ever. Ill intentions are pouring-out like typhoon from both camps manned by the Opposition and the Leftist moralists; all for the sake of taking Pres. Gloria out of the picture. As ABI continues to take its flight, the contention on the president’s assets would surely be getting worst. Sadly, a fine movement had to be tainted with politicking purpose. No wonder that faith on the coming elections had gone down the drain. There aren’t decent presidentiables left that would be worth Malacañang.