So, we’re finished with the first chapter in this political melodrama. Former Agriculture secretary Joc-Joc Bolante is now holed in a hospital, secured and allegedly being “administered” by health professionals. Bolante might be there for a loong time. Plan? Spend time incognito to allow Malacanang media operators to do their thing and “massage” the public. These operators have at least five days to do just that before the Senators come back from their vacation and re-open the fertilizer fund scam case. For now, Bolante enjoys the luxury of time. His suite is like a war-room, complete with cable TV, telephones and Internet access.
Strategy? Avoid staying at the Senate holding area and ask for hospital arrest. The Senate is not his comfort zone. He’s vulnerable there. He can’t receive instructions from his “friends”. Besides, the proper forum that he intends to show up is where he’s comfortable at—the Office of the Ombusman.
The Office of the Ombusman would speed up their investigation, allow Bolante hospital arrest and possibly coming up with a decision that would find reasonable doubt to prosecute Bolante. Bolante will be given a jail term, a short one, and all’s settle and done with. Before Arroyo goes on indefinite sabbatical in 2010, he’ll be given a quiet reprieve and he’s scot-free. What’s a year or two of staying in the Bilibid or at QC jail or even his jail term spent in a hospital? He already suffered two and a half years of incarceration in the States. What’s a year of hospital arrest?
Is this possible? Yes. The only thing that separates Joc-Joc and his handlers from getting what they want is public indignation. Going by their experience with Neri, a good measure of “pamasko” spread among those who cover and report about this helps a lot in neutralizing any public indignation. Besides, survey says, Filipinos just get angry for three and a half days and afterwards, they just forget about it. Joc-Joc is not a showbiz personality. If he was, then, expect this issue to last even a year, with people talking about this for a looong time.
But this is politics. And in politics, a week is just too long for anything “strange” to happen.
If all goes by the book in Joc-Joc’s case, other players in this scam would heave a sigh of relief. Will that include former Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo, who’s spending a “quiet” life abroad? How about those governors and mayors who got a sizeable piece of the pie?
And, by the way, where’s Joc-Joc’s supposed millions?
Popularity: 1% [?]
Tito Pat,
Are you willing to bet that as we write Bolante is likely to be in conference not with his doctors but with his lawyers?
lolo ding,
yep. he’s been in conference with them since day one of his arrival. and for all you know, we know what they’re talking about right now, hehehe!
such is the very nature of things, such is the beauty and wonder of technology that allows us to finally know the Truth. As Mulder says, the Truth is out there.
Yes, Mulder, you’re correct. Whatever they do, whatever they say, one thing is sure—the People will, one day, know that they’re aliens…err…that those who lie, will, eventually blurt it out sooner than later.
First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo arrived unannounced at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City Thursday morning.
It was unclear as of posting time why President Arroyo’s husband visited St. Luke’s, the same hospital where his friend, former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, has been confined since Tuesday night.
many days Prior to Bolante’s arrival, FG has all the time in the world to visit the hospital for a routine check up why now? Hello !! we are not born yesterday,What do FG think of the Filipino people “utak lamok”