Senators whose massive betrayal of public trust had to mitigate these evil exploits by engulfing the Presidency for similar deeds – hinted that DAP funds were used to impeach a sitting Chief Justice.

The pot calling the kettle, black!

The onus to defend what is left of the majesty of the presidency was left to the colossal bungling of the president’s men. They were unable to act as the primary “heat-shields” and ‘lightning-arresters” of what was once the “teflon” president. Pnoy instead had to use his scarce precious political capital and waste them defending himself and his minions.

“Ang Daang-Matuwid” was unraveling at the seams. The Pnoy’s trust rating has been eroding fast.

The last straw perhaps was a realization that the succeeding occupant of Malacanang in 2016 may do to him what he did to Gloria and what Gloria did to Erap. Pnoy could languish in jail.

But what if he threatens to run again to succeed himself as President? Ah, but a slight problem; mother Cory’s constitution prohibits it.

Then amend the Constitution!

In the Kennedy School, my professor, Alan Altshuler called this “Changing the Face of an issue”.

The opening was provided by thePnoy’s trusted friend and confidant. Mar proposed that there are “...threats to democracy and good governance...” and Pnoy must continue his good works by seeking a second term. His sycophants in a well-orchestrated chorus further advanced “...the indispensability of Pnoy at the helm to continue reforms started by the administration...”.These threats presumably refer to the “Judicial overreach” that to his mind has disturbed the classic co-equality of the three branches of Government. The Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional Pnoy’s perceived tool for keeping his allies in congress in line – the PDAF; and his economic “stimulus fund” which turns out to be a strong stimulant for corruption permeating all levels of government.

But such is the influencing power of the Presidency in these times of modern social media to temporarily re-focus the character of the debate from that of exposes and further scrutinizing corruption in Government to that of curtailing the power and perceived encroachment by a co-equal branch, preserving democracy; and the all- important necessity of the comfortable continuity of the familiar – “daang-matuwid” beyond 6 years.

He has titillated the thousands of charter change advocates of several decades tempting them into supporting this current initiative with the hint that – yes, introduce for debate and constitutional amendments a Federal & Parliamentary form of Government. Allow Pnoy to run as Member of Parliament and go for the Prime Ministership instead.Perhaps Pnoy has calculated thathis allies can get him an additional 6-year term – what he really wants.

But can he sustain this debate cloaked in motherhood statements of higher intent i.e. “...preserving democracy...” and acceding to the voice of “his bosses” – we the people.

Therein lies the genius of the man, if he can pull it off; amend the constitution which he has defended as “sacred and should not be tinkered with”; and ram through in 20 months a constituent assembly and a subsequent plebiscite for a second term.

On the other hand, he has arrayed before him veterans of constitutional fights in the past who will not allow him a second term – much as they did not allow Fidel Ramos and Gloria Arroyo theirs.

Cardinal Sin who rallied the troops against FVR in his time may no longer be around but we have a new set of young bishops and new leaders of religious groups who will gladly assume the Cardinal’s role.

There are chances too that Pnoy may not succeed in pushing for his amendments. Then people will revert back to looking at the reality of poverty, corruption and the incompetence of his governance. Then we will soon hear louder whispers of people who would gladly see Pnoy on the other side of another Edsa People Power 1.

Then mother Cory will be really be turning all over in her grave seeing her son, making an idiot of himself.