THE Philippine military has earned the people’s ire and distrust because of its subservience to Mrs. Arroyo’s orders. It has been involved in various cases of electoral fraud, corruption, human rights violations, and political harassment. Filipino soldiers should use their coconuts and not blindly obey their superiors’ orders if these are unconstitutional. Should Mrs. Arroyo declare martial law to prolong herself in power and thwart oppositon, Filipino soldiers should resist.

Cruz’s confirmation of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.’s statements lends credence to the latter’s claim that Mrs. Arroyo tried to declare martial law in 2005 at the height of the “Hello Garci” controversy. His statement that National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales does not speak to the media without the knowledge of Mrs. Arroyo is also valuable. These could only bolster speculations that Mrs. Arroyo is keeping the martial law option open at present, because of growing opposition to her administration’s Con-Ass initiative.

Cruz’s statements alert us to the importance of Mrs. Arroyo’s recent dialogue with Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panneta and her upcoming meeting with US President Barack Obama. It seems that Mrs. Arroyo is actively and blatantly seeking US support – for a combination of some form of martial rule and term extension, or for political immunity in general. Cruz and de Venecia’s statements show just how important the US is in the country’s politics.

Cruz’s fate in the Arroyo administration – his resignation in 2006 over a falling out between the Arroyo ruling clique and the Carpio, Villaraza & Cruz law firm on the issue of people’s initiative to change the Constitution – shows the Arroyo regime’s determination to implement Cha-Cha. The Arroyo ruling clique, it seems, wants Cha-Cha so bad it is prepared to break ranks with political allies who oppose this move. This is another alarm signal for the Filipino people.