THE United Opposition (UNO) on Wednesday said the reported appointment of Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane as national defense secretary puts in serious doubt the neutrality of the Armed Forces in the coming elections.             

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, UNO president, said the name of Ebdane, a former National Police chief, has been mentioned as one of the so-called special operators of President Arroyo in the 2004 presidential elections.           

“We in the opposition have serious reservations about his planned appointment to the defense department. Secretary Ebdane still has to answer questions regarding his alleged role in the widespread cheating in the 2004 elections,” Binay said.             

Binay, campaign manager for the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the 2004 elections, said widespread cheating and systematic fraud marred the presidential elections.       

Proadministration congressmen on Wednesday gloated over the move by former senator Francisco Tatad, an opposition stalwart, to sever ties with UNO over the issue of political dynasty, and predicted more defections from the minority in the run-up for the May elections.               

The lawmakers said Tatad’s departure from the opposition showed deep cracks in the opposition that would undermine its campaign to win majority seats in the Senate and at the local level.              

In a joint statement, Lakas Reps. Antonio Cuenco of Cebu City and Salacnib Baterina of Ilocos Sur said they expect dissension within the opposition in the wake of criticisms over the selection of senatorial candidates.

Cuenco, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said many opposition members could no longer stomach the brand of politics that former President Joseph Estrada is espousing—that of making the Senate a bastion for political dynasties.       

Tatad has called it quits with the opposition to dramatize his protest over the choice of its senatorial candidates belonging to the same political families. Among these are Nacionalista Party Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano of Taguig, elder brother of Sen. Pia Cayetano; San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, a brother of incumbent Sen. Jinggoy  Estrada; Aquilino Pimentel III, son of Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.; Liberal Party Rep. Benigno Aquino III of Tarlac and his aunt, former senator Teresa Aquino-Oreta.               

Baterina, vice chairman of the House Committee on Justice, said: “When desertions like this happen, it shows that some members are disgruntled over the position taken by opposition leaders led by Estrada.”           

“This is a sign of disunity that will doom the opposition slate. On the other hand, the administration coalition is doing well in finalizing its senatorial ticket and preparing for the election campaign,” he said.       

Tatad earlier warned that “should error and madness prevail,” three families—the Cayetanos,  Estradas and Pimentels—would control six Senate seats.

Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles pooh-poohed the so-called Third Force, calling it a bunch of “fence sitters, who are neither here nor there.”     

“Those in the third force would be fence sitters, who will likely appear to be opportunists, who are here, there and everywhere.”           

Nograles said the administration would field a complete senatorial ticket, contrary to speculation that it was struggling to put a 12-man powerhouse senatorial team that would slug it out with the opposition.

Among those already assured of berths in the administration ticket are Michael Defensor Jr., Arroyo’s chief of staff; Lakas Reps. Juan Miguel Zubiri of Bukidnon and Prospero Pichay Jr. of Surigao del Sur; Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Gilbert  Teodoro of Tarlac; and Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson of Ilocos Sur.      

In Pampanga, Defensor said he is open-minded with regard to the invitation of the so-called “third force” for him to join the said group’s senatorial slate for the May elections.            

“When I was invited to join the third force, they told me it is a unity slate and there were names of senatorial bets mentioned, including reelectionists and those making a comeback and opposition,” Defensor said.  

“I’ve been calling for a unity slate so I told them I have an open mind and I think that is a very good idea. But of course I have to consult with the administration, my party, my group, before I join the third force,” he stressed.

CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE, Pampanga—Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor revealed on Wednesday the formation of an arbitration committee to resolve the conflict among administration allies in the countryside.

Charlie “Atong” Ang has entered into a plea bargain agreement with the government wherein he admitted to the lesser crime of corrupting public officials instead of the plunder case that is currently pending against him with the Sandiganbayan.

THE National Police and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday that they would try to minimize if not eradicate election-related violence even as they vowed to train their sights on private armed groups maintained by politicians.

Opposition hits Ebdane’s appointment to DND

THE United Opposition (UNO) on Wednesday said the reported appointment of Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane as national defense secretary puts in serious doubt the neutrality of the Armed Forces in the coming elections.