I am sure Erap has learned survival tricks from PGMA, so he wants another shot at the presidency. Isip siguro ni Erap, "Ba't nga ba di ko ginawa yon?"
1) Fatten the generals and the police honchos, not just your Chinese kibitzer-friends and drinking partners. When there's a people power or a massing of protesters, have yourself whisked to Camp Crame and drink coffee with your generals under the glare of camera. Or fly to the province and inaugurate a bridge or a dam (total may kickback ka rin naman dyan), and show how the provinces welcome you (dahil bihira lang silang makita ng nakasapatos). Kung magkulong ka sa Malacanang, kakalampagin ka talaga ng tao palabas tulad ni Marcos at Erap.
But nobody can unseat you if you are not physically in your seat in Malacanang.2)
Make sure you find government positions for retired men-in-uniform, preferrably in low-key diplomatic posts or ceremonially advisory positions. That way, they don't get too bored in the garden and plot against you. Saka matampuhin ang mga heneral kapag pakiramdam nila hindi na sila gwapo.
3) If you need money to continue to keep their loyalty, never ask for it from jueteng lords and other underworld financiers. Instead, train technocrats to deal with huge foreign suppliers for projects funded by their governments to make sure your 100% tongpats is secure. Kung ex-professor ang front mo, may dignidad yan na hindi ka ikakanta (lalo na't may private dossier ka na rin na ikakanta sa kanya kung sakaling gawin man nya yan). Pero kung sa swertes or jueteng lord ka, naku, hustler yan sa kanto at sa ringside, pwede kang baligtarin anytime kapag nakahanap ng mas matatag na protektor.
4) Manila is not the Philippines, so
make sure your travel itinerary to the province is always full. Kahibawo man ka sa probinsiyanong Pilipino, pareho sa Bol-anon, ug naay bisita nga naka-sunglass gikan sa Manila, abi-abihon ug ayo murag turista. Unya naa pay publicity nga ikaw para gyud sa gagmayng tawo.
5)
Make people feel and believe that you are responsible for their employment abroad, by making a regular round of the heads of state of all the major employers of seamen, domestics, entertainers, nurses, caregivers, etc. Never mind that you are tearing families apart, the dollars will make up for that.
6)
Kung may whistleblowers sa Senate o sa House, keep your cool. Never, never do a Dacer. Let the people fix themselves to the TV screen. They'll watch it tearfully like a Korean or Mexican soap, top-rating for weeks or months, but forgotten completely when another comes along. Pray for Manny Paquiao to win or Martin Nievera to sing the anthem off-beat, or even dare to ask for blessings-in-disguise, like a natural calamity, rice shortage or an epidemic that will divert people's mind.
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