One classmate confided to us what will happen during and after the May 2010 elections in the Philippines. I cannot reveal his name for security reasons. This is actually a sequel to my fearless forecast in the January 2010 issue of Sentinel. In his email, he wrote:
“I do have some personal knowledge of the degree of corruption in this government and definitely on a ranking of 1 to 10, this admin deserves at least a 9. No other regime comes close when it comes to government contracts. I am speaking based on 40 years of banking experience when I extended credit to contractors. I issued them certifications which are a prerequisite to bidding on contracts. Suffice it to say that during Marcos’s time up to Estrada, the usual percentage of kickback for public works contracts was 10%, perhaps 15% under Erap (Estrada). This has gone up to 30 to 35% nationwide and 40% in the case of Pampanga because of President Niña Bonita. I believe our class president does have some inkling of this but cannot speak up in public.
Failure of Elections is a very real threat. There is no possible way the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can automate nationwide so the only feasible solutions are manual counting or partial automation.
I attended an economic, socio-political forum where the speakers were National Treasurer Bobby Tan, an Ateneo alumnus and (political) analyst Randy David. Tan informed us that the projected budget deficit for 2010 has been increased from P232 to P294 billion and that this would be financed by additional foreign borrowings. It simply means that the per capita debt every Filipino and his heirs will have to pay will continue to rise.
Randy David mentioned several plausible post election scenarios. One is widespread fraud and breakdown of the automated system. There are widespread protests. GMA declares martial law and stays on. Two, partial breakdown of the automated polls enabling Comelec to declare winners in the local polls for mayors, congressmen and governors, but not for Senators or President because of uncounted or contested ballots in many areas. Congress convenes but the Senate cannot. GMA is elected Speaker of the House and again continues in office. Third, the President, Senate and Congress are elected and convened. Congress then moves for a parliamentary government. Case is brought to the Supreme Court, now loaded with GMA appointees who then rules that the two Houses should vote as one. Hence, GMA as Speaker and her congressional lackeys like Defensor and Nograles outvote the Senators who only have 24 votes, The President is reduced to a ceremonial position and the Speaker becomes the Country’s ruler.
I believe all of these scenarios are possible and not far fetched. Anyone doubting this please provide me with a reasonable answer why GMA is running for Congress. Does anyone of us believe her professed desire to continue serving (Stealing is more appropriate) our cabalens? — by Nostradino