Norberto Gonzales
Norberto Gonzales, the one who proposed that a National Transition Council be implemented prior to the elections, is now Defense secretary. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro handed the flag to him yesterday. Teodoro, if you still don’t know, will run for the presidency.
With the appointment of Gonzales, formerly head of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency or Nica, what is the message being sent out by Malacanang? Two things: first, Gonzales’ appointment affirms the so-called strength of the Gonzales proposition inside the palace. That the proposition resonated among Gloria’s minions is a certainty. Now, how viable is it for them to actually do something to realise Gonzales’ dreams remains a mystery?
Gonzales is an ideologue of the vicious kind. From being an avowed socialist, Gonzales has shifted to become a clerico-fascist.
Gonzales is the go-to guy, a realiable operator and a shrewd political animal. He can make things happen. And he’s one of Gloria’s trusted men.
Why is now positioned as the defense secretary? That leads us to the second reason–the pending House bill which aims to designate an acting president in case of a failure of elections.
According to the bill, should the elections fail, the bill propose that the top Senator who topped the 2007 elections and whose term ends in 2013, should ascend the presidency. Now, if none of the senators act as transition president, it would be the Supreme Court Chief Justice who would serve as the transition president.
This possibility is okey if the elections push thru and there’s a failure of the exercise. What if there’s an emergency and government declares it, then, it could be a means to extend the incumbent’s term.
November 17th, 2009 @ Ricky Rivera
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