“Vivere Pericoloso,” or living dangerously, is how one would describe the Political mood of the moment in Manila this week.

In the last three weeks. We’ve seen a surge in Politcal drama and a stage set for  a showdown in the hours, days, and, weeks  ahead. While far from the drama and  desperation and dilemma in the aftermath of the 1986 Snap elections that set the stage for the EDSA revolt by the members of RAM or reform the armed forces movement of the Philippine Military and later in collapse of the coup attempt that led Cardinal Sin to call on People to defend the military rebels who had bolted from the folds of the Marcos Government.

There is a feeling I got — watching an old movie on TCM on cable TV — I saw while I was still in elementary school, Mel Gibson and Sigorny Weaver’s ‘A dangerous life’ which ironically was filmed in the Philippines.

With tonight the Armed forces on red alert and calls for change echoing from three former Philippine Presidents,

While former Presidents Corazon Aquino did not catagorically call for the resignation of President Arroyo she has been publically supportive of a man whose testimony has rallied opposition forces against the current president.

[]Cory Aquino to lead opposition in remembering Edsa 1
Inquirer.net, Philippines -
By DJ Yap MANILA, Philippines–Former President Corazon Aquino will join Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr. and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay in a thanksgiving mass at a …
Ramos going to EDSA Shrine; Aquino to Sto. Domingo Church Inquirer.net  []

Friday night’s statement by pardoned former President Joseph Estrada, who Arroyo replaced in popular uprising– had already been at odds with President Arroyo in the past.

[] Erap to AFP: Support call for truth

Philippine Star, Philippines -  Former President Joseph Estrada called on the military yesterday to support the people’s call for truth and justice as part of their … []

His statement and public call for the military to heed the people’s calls for change — might be seen by some as ‘payback’ — where in a strange change of positions he is now allied with the very same groups who led EDSA II revolt that ousted him. And in the irony — that is most strange of all the charges leveled agianst Arroyo stem from corruption which was at the core of the movement that ousted him.

However, the sudden very public critcism of the way things are by Former President Fidel Ramos. Who is widely believed to have been the key player that ‘saved’ Arroyo from a 2006 coup attempt.

[]  An immoderate threat
Inquirer.net, Philippines - Fidel V. Ramos is a politician. And he has been a politician without a message for some time now, cranky digs at President Macapagal-Arroyo notwithstanding. …
Ramos: Pre-EDSA I sins are back Inquirer.net []

Ramos’s speech at a commemoration of the 1986 revolt has made the cross spectrum of liberal, rightist, and popular nationalist forces allied in a strage group of bedfellows seeking an end to Arroyo’s term or at least major changes be made in her governance.

Amado Dorinilla’s column seemed to sum up the wider populist view.

[] Analysis : Mounting outrage, little momentum / Amando Doronila

Inquirer.net, Philippines -
It was former President Ramos who helped save the government from collapse. Last Sunday, former President Aquino, the beneficiary of Edsa I, …[]

But the Philippine Military leadership has taken the public position of begging politcal groups not to seek thier participation in any more ‘adventures of intervention’…Esperon warns of ‘vicious cycle’ in military intervention

While the National Police leadership has declared their support for the constitutional process. It’s Director General has said te loyalty of the rank and file sites firmly with the administration. Razon says police remain loyal to Arroyo :

Overall some declarations made in the heat of last week have toned down. President Ramos earlier today speaking in Mindanao tired to explain things further in his speech statement — that according to – mindanews -  called the current scandal besetting President Arroyo as but a blip on the national radar of problems and issues that need to be dealt with.

He blamed the mirraid of problems raning from the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal. To the Hyatt 10 and other calls for Arroyo’s resignation in the past and Mayo Uno 2001 protest some call EDSA Tres and also other issues and forces that still have not really been properly settled fully.

He did he clarified mean to add more fuel to the growing fire — but give critical opinion to the current issues and also in context of the EDSA ’86 spirit recall the energy many felt in trying to cure the country’s ill’s at the time.

He also called for more dialogue and interaction between all sides — citing the need for more cooperation between the legislative, executive, and, courts in working to consensus in dealing with the country’s issues.

The time of the moment by some may be seen on the surface as somewhat problematic. Yet will this 25th of February anniversary taking place in a few hours from now as I write this lead to ‘ides of march’ or more of the same movements  and noise or will this as all other protests and investigations and scandals go the way of all others and slip from the view of the moment and mood towards more  “Vivere Pericoloso”- Dangerous living for the rest of the current adminitraitons term or lead to some clear change and focused reforms that Arroyo hersefl has said will be metted out to all those who attempt to engage in corruption during her time at the helm of this ship of state that is being tossed through another season of politcal storms?

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