Word: estrada
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...still puzzling out the implications of a military-heavy government. Some segments don't like it at all. "Gloria is more beholden to the military than to People Power," complains Wilson Fortaleza, president of the leftist political movement Sanlakas, which helped get people on the streets to oppose Estrada. Politicians are concerned about the military's renewed role. "One question remains to be sorted out," says Senator Rodolfo Biazon, former armed forces chief of staff. "Are we setting a standard for our military to be always a major factor in the resolution of political controversies in our country?" People Power...
...being genuine, the general must have been the only person in Manila not imagining a coup last week?and the rumor mill had them coming from all sides. The biggest warning was that uniformed loyalists of Joseph Estrada could be planning an armed comeback for their ousted ex-Commander in Chief, who was holed up in his posh mansion in San Juan, a Manila suburb, reportedly drinking lots of expensive red wine. General Espinosa was supposedly marshalling his forces for a truly petty reason: he was one of the first generals to decide to abandon Estrada two weeks...
...euphoria over People Power II is fading as Filipinos recognize the hazards that accompany a constitutionally challenging change of leaders. Estrada hasn't formally resigned, although the Philippine Supreme Court backed Arroyo's ascension, and is unlikely to rule favorably on any court challenges. A more tricky issue: the 1987 constitution singles out the military as "the protector" of the people, rather than the government, and that role has never been formally challenged...
...That move will make some generals happy and, presumably, loyal. The problem is that it makes others envious and potentially restive. And unlike the coup plotters in the 1980s, disgruntled military elements have in Estrada a ready rallying figure for an uprising. Despite his ignominius overthrow, Estrada retains considerable popular support. Senate President Aquilino Pimental says the former president can definitely cause Arroyo problems. "I will not use the word 'threat,'" he says, "but Estrada has a large following." Especially, Pimental noted, among rural lower income families and the poorest of the poor. Estrada was praying a lot last week...
...took a few canny tricks to win Abdurrahman Wahid the presidency of Indonesia in the first place, but holding onto it now may be beyond even his legendary political skills. At first glance, Wahid's position Tuesday looked remarkably like that of Philippines president Joseph Estrada two weeks ago, just before his ouster in a palace coup: A parliamentary inquiry has concluded that the president was involved in two recent financial scandals, boosting calls both from within the legislature and on Jakarta's rowdy streets for his impeachment...