Two things going for Bolante—either do a Neri or do a Lozada. Should he choose to do a Neri, he may be casting his lot with a Godmother whose term ends one and a half years from now. His insurance policy has an expiration date of 2010. He may enter into a compromise agreement with the new administration, which may involve biting the hand that fed him. Should he decide to stick with his co-mafia members, most notably the First Golfer Gang (FGG), he should be ready with his millions to massage the irate public and those who handle his cases. Otherwise, he may be in for a lot of trouble and possible long jail time.

Or, he could do a Lozada and possibly escape detention by doing a Chavit. This can only happen if those groups (read: civil society and other democratic forces) succeed in ousting Gloria before 2010. The reversal of his fortune depends on the success rate of civil society’s anti-Gloria campaign. These groups should do their thing quick; otherwise, Bolante’s incarceration is just a phone call away. The head of the FGG will just order his functionary at the Office of the Ombusman to write a warrant.

For a former top insurance man like Bolante, he needs to weigh his options very carefully. His future and that of his family depends on how he plays his cards right. The palace is right—he’s on his own. There may be arrangements already prepared to address either a Lozada or a Neri scenario. Both options are not risk-free for Gloria’s minions and that of Bolante’s.

One thing is sure—Bolante intends to go on a propaganda spree. His airport statement betrays him. It says that he’s innocent and a victim of a vicious vilification campaign. He thinks that he can get away with this via the propaganda route. He may be right, since Neri did it before. Neri escaped public scrutiny with just a Supreme Court decision. And public indignation died slowly after.

We may never know what’s going on inside Bolante’s mind. He’s experiencing tremendous stresses. His once lush black hair has turned all grey. It must have been torture for him these past two and a half years in jail. With just one wrong move, Bolante faces a bleaker future, possibly a longer time of torture. Which option, Mr. Bolante? The public is anxiously waiting. 

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