GROUPS OUT TO OUST GLORIA?

With all the talk behind the President’s accountability issue, Filipinos are left wondering what could be behind all these again. Another looming ouster plot maybe?

The Alternative Budget Initiative, or ABI, is very insistent on Gloria’s ouster by exploiting the glooming inquest of the First Family’s non-declaration of assets. ABI, which has links and is said to be co-financed by former Pres Joseph Estrada, claims to be a movement for a participatory, transparent and accountable budget system in the government. Since ABI’s inception, there are reports that Erap had been consistently funding it with not less than a Php 100,000 per month. According to insiders, ABI plans to present its “case” on linked-up media outfits, which could very well build up on the issue in order to generate public outrage like the scenarios in 2001 Edsa Dos.

Part of ABI’s current efforts is its participation in the ongoing Social Watch Philippines that had been scrutinizing the 2009 financial budget. Thus, this explains the projected hype on Gloria’s spendings here and abroad.

Top personalities like Dulce Cepeda, Bebu Bulchan and other close associates of former Pres. Fidel Ramos had also been on the list of ABI benefactors. These two also got involved in last November 28, 2007 Peninsula Stand-off. Apart from which, they were also seen with Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Marili Osias of the Concerned Citizens’ Movement, Gus LAGMAN of Black and White (BnW) Movement, Linda Montayre of the Fortunato ABAT group (Coalition for National Salvation) and ex-ambassador Roy Señeres.

There is a lot of money involved in keeping this anti-Gloria phenomenon alive and kicking. Keeping track on this administration’s finances is obligatory for concerned taxpayers. There is nothing entirely wrong with it, however, it loses respect whenever politicians especially a convicted plunderer puts his hand on it.

To oust, or not to oust? Ask Fidel Ramos, he surely knows how to stash all the money he plundered from the sale of Fort Bonifacio and the failed Expo Filipino. ##