The Philippines The Joker Was Not Laughing

Seated in the mahogany-paneled state dining room at Malacanang Palace, members of President Corazon Aquino’s Cabinet stared at the blank sheets of paper that had been placed before them. “Of course, you all know what this meeting is about,” said the President. Most did not, though they may have had a sense of deja vu once she began explaining. Aquino reminded them that ten months earlier she had asked the Cabinet to resign in the turmoil following an + alleged coup plot. Now, in the wake of the most serious coup attempt yet, it was time for another reshuffle. Complying with her request, each member scribbled, “I hereby tender my resignation.” Defense Secretary Rafael Ileto, arriving late for the meeting, was asked by reporters outside if he would quit with the rest of the Cabinet. Said Ileto: “Well, if that’s the fad, why not?”

Political turmoil is becoming a regular fact of life for Aquino. In the past six weeks, a Cabinet Secretary was assassinated, a general strike paralyzed major cities, and the bloody military uprising late last month came closer to unseating her than four previous attempts. Since that failed revolt, Aquino’s leadership has come under severe question. Some 2,000 rebel soldiers remained at large, and bickering was mounting among her political supporters. Last week’s mass resignation may have bought Aquino time to reorganize her government and recapture the sense of high expectation that marked her early months on the job. But allies and opponents alike wondered whether she would move decisively enough to capitalize on the opportunity. Said Blas Ople, a member of the opposition who was a Labor Minister under Ferdinand Marcos: “This is a government that lives hand to mouth, politically and intellectually.”

Aquino may reinstate most of her Cabinet ministers, but one case will be a problem: Executive Secretary Joker Arroyo. When she asked the Cabinet to resign last November, the move was designed largely to oust a rival, Juan Ponce Enrile, who was then Defense Minister. This time the likely target is a faithful friend of more than 15 years. Arroyo, 61, whose first name derives from his father’s fondness for card playing, is easily the most powerful member of the Cabinet. The former human rights lawyer screens Aquino’s official papers and correspondence as well as all requests to meet her.

Critics charge that Arroyo has been too protective of the President, blocking access to her, suppressing documents he does not want her to see, and generally insulating her from political and economic realities. His public criticism of the military has alienated the country’s top officers, among them such staunch Aquino loyalists as Armed Forces Chief Fidel Ramos. Almost every attempted coup in the past 18 months, including the most recent one, has demanded the ouster of Arroyo as well as that of another outspoken Aquino adviser, Speechwriter Teodoro Locsin. Many military men allege that Arroyo is a Communist, a charge he denies but that they feel is supported by his endorsement of amnesty for guerrillas of the Communist-led New People’s Army.

The opposition to Arroyo solidified last week, after he appeared before the Philippine Congress to defend the government’s performance in quelling the last mutiny. Though he had planned to ask Congress to close ranks behind Aquino, Arroyo instead spent three hours berating the military, the Roman Catholic Church and the business community for failing to support her during the uprising. He compared Ramos’ spokesman Colonel Honesto Isleta with Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propagandist. Arroyo said that three of the country’s leading businessmen, all longtime Aquino boosters, are guilty of treason for plotting to have him fired. He also attacked Vice President Salvador Laurel, who a few days earlier had polled loyal soldiers on their opinion of Colonel Gregorio (“Gringo”) Honasan, the leader of the most recent rebellion. The soldiers felt that Honasan should not only be pardoned but also promoted. Arroyo accused Laurel of fomenting dissent.

If Arroyo’s congressional outbursts sealed his fate, he provided a dramatic encore in private Malacanang sessions. Palace insiders report that the President witnessed a series of intense backroom shouting matches between Arroyo and Trade and Industry Secretary Jose Concepcion, whose twin brother Raul was among the businessmen the Executive Secretary had accused of treason. As other Cabinet members joined in the melee, a furious Aquino said, “Don’t you people have anything else to do except fight and quarrel with each other?” To the officials present she said, “I want all your resignations right now.” She then called the emergency session of the full Cabinet. Said U.S. Political Analyst Richard Kessler: “For a long time, the question has been, ‘Can Cory live without Joker?’ Now she really can’t live with him.”

Even without Arroyo, Aquino would still face daunting difficulties. “Dropping him may change the climate,” said Blas Ople. “It won’t change any fundamental problems.” Though she has managed to revive democratic institutions, Aquino has yet to forge a clear set of legislative priorities. Her attempts at promoting economic recovery were sidetracked by last month’s uprising. Meanwhile, rumors are swirling that Honasan is planning to launch another takeover attempt, this time using tanks under his command. And late last week, Communist guerrillas waged a heated battle with government troops + just 30 miles away from Manila. Aquino is likely to find that keeping Arroyo in the Cabinet could make her life more difficult — but that dropping him may not make things much easier.