Conflicts within the ruling classes further intensify
Conficts between the ruling Macapagal-Arroyo clique and the pro-Estrada clique continue to intensify. Simultaneously, cracks within the Macapagal-Arroyo clique itself are becoming apparent due to intense jockeying for the 2004 elections.
There are precious few resources that could be peacefully divided. Thus, the ruling faction is sucking dry and wishes to monopolize the milking cows of the former ruling Estrada clique. Two striking examples are the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) that were both raided by the Estradas on a regular basis. The president�s husband Mike Arroyo has illegally utilized PCSO funds to defray the costs of the May 2001 elections. The regime has also been conniving with cronies of former presidents, from Marcos to Estrada. Among them are Danding Cojuangco and Lucio Tan.
The conflicts have reached their utmost intensity. Reactionary anti-Macapagal-Arroyo groups have in their immediate agenda the overthrow of the regime. Some have threatened to replace the regime with a provisional civilian-militarian junta.
Among those that have ranged themselves against the Macapagal-Arroyo clique are a number of forces that actively supported EDSA 2, such as the Philippine Consultative Assembly (PCA) composed of retired pro-Ramos military officials and personalities, a faction of RAM-YOU (Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa-Young Officers Union) and the Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA) composed of forces close to Jose "Peping" Cojuangco. Grouplets led by opportunist traitors to the revolutionary movement have also hitched a ride with these organizations.
These forces have been aligning themselves against the Macapagal-Arroyo regime since October and have started rumors about coup threats and "EDSA 4". The seriousness of such threats and schemes can be reflected in the killing on December 31, 2001 of Lt. Baron Cervantes, a former YOU member, a consultant of Roilo Golez and a known supporter of Macapagal-Arroyo. Cervantes was silenced for having spilled the beans on the coup plots against the regime.
Meanwhile, threats from the pro-Estrada groups have not waned. Neither have Gen. Panfilo Lacson�s armed supporters been completely suppressed. Reports point to Lacson�s involvement in arming and training the so-called Urban Poor Army that includes the pro-Estrada People�s Movement Against Poverty. Even the Estrada camp has threatened to wage another EDSA-type uprising.
Some anti-Macapagal-Arroyo reactionaries have also chosen to cast their lot with the growing opposition to direct armed intervention by American soldiers. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, Rodolfo Biazon and others from the reactionary opposition have been assailing the entry and projected long-term stay of growing numbers of American soldiers in the country as a violation of the reactionary constitution and laws. Imee Marcos has also exposed and assailed the secret MLSA accord between Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and US president George W. Bush.
Even within the ruling coalition, personalities such as former Sen. Jovito Salonga and Sen. Joker Arroyo, have severely criticized the intervention of American soldiers in the country.
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