There’s no doubt in everybody’s mind that local government officials, particularly the governors and mayors nationwide, will get a good share of what they aspired for after they had given in to the demand of the Palace to rally their support behind the embattled President Arroyo, whose husband was allegedly linked to the multi-million anomalous ZTE-NBN broadband deal.
Why not? With the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) under the Executive Branch of government, who wouldn’t think that this is again the handiwork of Mr. Ronnie Puno, who is known to be good at crafting and implementing political strategies.
Being the DILG’s boss, LGU officials couldn’t muster enough courage to say no to his invitation to save the president, especially if something goes along with the invitation for a caucus.And who would resist the offer? Unless that local government official is a die hard element of the opposition block. But everything these days can be softened with rewards, especially if they run in millions.
Look what happened to House Speaker Jose de Venecia at the Lower House in the Philippines. It was reported in the papers that the two sons of the First Gentleman at the House of Representatives had worked hard for JDV’s ouster by allegedly handing out millions to majority of the congressmen, who eventually and secretly accepted the grease money.