Will this be the crucial weekend?

First, when Sammy Ong announced he had the original tape, people waited if this exposé would lead to People's Power. It did not come that weekend. Nor last weekend.

This time, the crowds are bigger. As of this writing, multisectoral groups are now in Makati as in the past two EDSA events. Will this crowd continue to draw supporters, enough to challenge the present Malacañang occupants?

Aside from the playing of the first of the Gloriagate tapes, from Alan Paguia, and the diversion of the jueteng hearing back to the Jose Pidal signature issue, the impact of the EVAT implementation by July 1 is predicted to send more angry Filipinos to the streets. The public will not immediately be able to add up all the extra amount that they need to shell out from their own pockets so that government can rake in the taxes which they explained will be used for the long-awaited services, for education and health. But what about employment and wages?

When the public will finally add how much more they are spending for EVAT for their LPG, for their gasoline and transportation, for electricity, and the list can go on, then more will really be so angry and they may just decide to vent their anger out in the streets very soon. By then, the public will clearly realize that all else have increased but their wages. Then, the millions of our poor will ask this government why they are the ones made to carry the burden of paying for the welfare needs that they have themselves been awaiting for. Why will the poor be made to raise the money to help themselves? Why didn't this government try other means to help the poor? Why didn't this government tap other sources to help the poor? Curb corruption at all levels, realign debt repayment or ask those who incurred these debts from among the present government officials and business people responsible for the private debts assumed by the government (during the time of the widow who became President Cory)? Why not exempt the poor from more taxes when they already have nothing more to tighten up as they have long lost their belt to continuing poverty? The middle class will also join the angry crowd very soon. How far can their low salaries bring them? How much food can they bring home this time? Will they have to give up so much now with EVAT? They will also ask why they, like the poor, are made to pay for the welfare needs of the poor when there are the few rich and few corrupt who have been responsible for draining the funds meant for all.

Add to Gloriagate, jueteng, and EVAT the emotional outburst from a very angry widow. Ms. Susan Roces, the till-now very reserved widow of FPJ, is now reclaiming the right of Da King as truly elected President of this land. The masses who loved her husband and her husband's friend, former President Erap, are already conspicuous among the swelling protesters in Metro Manila. The opposition is certainly hoping to fast track events and see a change of leadership soon. Will that change come this weekend?

Will a storm stop or bring change as early as this weekend? Malacañang hopes not. Certain provincial governments have invited Malacañang to transfer should Metro Manila get too hot for the present leadership.

When Pontius Pilate, after a lapse of judgement, washed his hands about the fate of Jesus Christ, the angry crowd and their leaders crucified the Lord on a Holy Friday but He resurrected on a glorious Sunday. Which side will the Lord in heaven bless?

Which way will the present political turmoil take? And will this be the crucial weekend?