BY ELLEN TORDESILLAS

AS the political storm brought about by allegations of massive corruption continues to slam President Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro stays by her side to provide her the option of a graceful exit by resignation, an adviser to De Castro told a member of the opposition.

The source said the expectation of De Castro, as relayed by his advisers who have started talking with different opposition groups like the United Opposition, Makati Business Club, and the Black and White Movement, the end of the Arroyo presidency is a matter of time and he (De Castro) expects to take over as the Constitution mandates.

"De Castro expects the presidency to fall into his lap like manna from heaven," the source said expressing the frustration of many in the opposition over De Castro’s refusal to take a position on the issues of corruption and obstruction of justice that stemmed from the exposé on the alleged overpriced $329-million national broadband network deal with the Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

The position of De Castro is that becoming hostile to Arroyo would push her to take the hard-line position which could lead to a violent regime change. By giving her the option of resignation, De Castro thinks she could be persuaded to give up the presidency peacefully.

That would mean, however, that the two would have a deal, which could include sparing Arroyo from facing criminal charges.

The source said De Castro’s advisers do not seem to have a keen grasp of the reasons for the people’s outrage against the current administration and the danger that he could be swept away together with Arroyo.

Many in the opposition find De Castro unacceptable not only because of the perception of incompetence, but his turning a blind eye to the alleged crimes of Arroyo is said to betray a questionable sense of values. Leah Navarro, a member of the Black and White Movement, said they told De Castro’s representatives they want to see him to make a stand and "show us his heart."

Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada, star witness in the ZTE deal investigation, does not believe that Arroyo will ever resign.

"The ‘Arroyo resign’ call is a myth. She has to be ousted," he said as he called on the military and police to make a stand and join the people demanding truth and justice in the government.

De Castro said he is "prepared" for the presidency. "From Day One, I already knew my duties under the Constitution as elected vice president."

That is contrary to the explanation of his adviser to an opposition personality when asked why De Castro ignored the call of Black and White to join its call for Arroyo’s resignation in 2005. He said at that time, De Castro "was not yet prepared."

The opposition is split over the issue of what happens if Arroyo is ousted. While some agree to follow the constitutional provision, others are calling for a resignation of both Arroyo and De Castro and the holding of snap elections. Others want a revolutionary council as a transition government.

The Black and White Movement said De Castro’s silence on the current issues is not helping.

The BWM includes the "Hyatt 10" or the 10 Cabinet and other key officials who resigned en masse from the Arroyo Cabinet in 2005.

"We would like to ask the Vice President to bare what’s in his heart so we can see if he is worth supporting for as a replacement for President Arroyo," said Navarro, BWM executive director. "We hope he can tell us what he thinks about the various issues facing the country so we can make an informed decision."

Navarro said De Castro owes it to the people to say if he "pro- or anti- Gloria, is he for the truth, is he for the status quo like a traditional politician? Does he feel capable?"

Former Social Welfare secretary Corazon "Dinky" Soliman, a "Hyatt 10 member," said while De Castro is the constitutional successor, he has to make a stand because he would be leading a transition government.

De Castro on Sunday said he was "prepared" for the presidency but left to legal processes the determination of the truth in the NBN allegations.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said De Castro was merely stating a fact when said he is "prepared" to succeed Arroyo if the need arises.

This does not mean De Castro is calling for Arroyo’s ouster, Bunye said.

Bunye made the statement as De Castro stressed he is the vice president of the Filipinos and not of the President.

"He has stated that he is prepared, that is correct; he has stated that he’s not asking for the resignation of the President, that is also correct; and I believe he stated that he has attended all or practically all the Cabinet meetings, which is a way of really keeping himself prepared for any eventuality. But let me repeat that he is not asking for the resignation of the President," Bunye said.

Bunye said there is also nothing wrong in De Castro’s pronouncement that he is also interested in the truth "but he wants the courts to be the one to pursue this search for truth."

He expressed confidence De Castro would remain to be a part of the Arroyo government.

He described De Castro as a "credit" to the Cabinet as he has done a good job at the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

"We’re confident that the Vice President would remain as one of the most active members of the Cabinet… I don’t see any reason for the Vice President to change that posture," he said. – With Ashzel Hachero and Jocelyn Montemayor