Epic blunder

In seeking to remove a political threat, the anti-Duterte forces had created a political wildfire that would benefit the alliance that launched the 1986 People Power Revolt, which is now seeking the removal of both camps of antagonists.

The outcome of the recent polls that indicated a revival of the yellow support, and the signals of a weakening mandate for the incumbent, had created an opportunity for the discredited hypocritical mob for another power grab.

A remaining hurdle is the persistently high support for both Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Thus, groups associated with the self-righteous are strongly pushing to proceed with the impeachment trial, which in the past was used as a springboard for an unconstitutional takeover.

A stupid reaction by the Philippine National Police (PNP) under the administration’s fair-haired boy, Nicolas Torre, to the escalating conflict is employing tactics that only evoke a return to the period preceding the 1986 power shift.

The statement of those seeking the Senate trial of VP Duterte is ominous:

“It has become increasingly clear that President Marcos Jr. himself continues to be the main stumbling block to the impeachment trial, as he has consistently expressed his opposition to the proceedings and shown disinterest in addressing systemic corruption in government. His statement about his willingness to reconcile with the Dutertes also threatens efforts at achieving accountability,” according to a manifesto being circulated to force a trial for VP Duterte.

The mobsters are now presenting themselves as a logical option by keeping pressure on the feuding camps.

The call from some groups associated with the charlatans is for a “mutually assured destruction” of the contending camps that would be exploited for another yellow renaissance.

The Red destabilizers, despite their candidates being soundly beaten in the polls, have the machinery to mobilize protestors through their legal fronts.

The declining influence of the communist movement makes it convenient for its forces to consolidate through the heightened political drama during the Senate trial.

By branding the current situation as a symptom of dynastic power struggles, the mob is also positioning its candidates as viable alternatives.

The Senate court is seen as a venue to neutralize VP Duterte, a leading contender for the 2028 presidential election, as a conviction would permanently bar her from public office.

Yet, in the process, the House-led opportunists have fueled a public backlash, which has ricocheted against PBBM as his survey ratings plummeted.

The administration is incorrectly addressing the decline in public support by throwing government money into stopgap measures, such as the massive government subsidy to fulfil the P20 per kilo rice pledge of Mr. Marcos.

Economic hardship mirrored the social unrest that fueled the 1986 uprising, but the situation is now very different, as it involves a betrayal of trust.

The impeachment process, although initiated by anti-Duterte political opportunists, has inadvertently united disparate opposition groups who see an opportunity to challenge what is being framed as a dynastic power.

Seeking to dislodge VP Duterte through a strategy aimed at eliminating her from the political arena is threatening to boomerang against the incumbent, as it has strengthened groups that it considered threats at the ballot.

VP Sara’s trial galvanized her supporters, particularly in Mindanao, while resurrecting the politically dead yellow movement.

What the nation is witnessing is a classic fumble brought about by a desperation for political survival.