For some time, while waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on the issue of executive privilege, there was a lot of talk, and excitement although to a far lesser degree, about the reported willingness of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia to come forward and spill the beans.

Understandably, some elements of the opposition, including those closest to the former Speaker, were touting this revelation as the one that could finally bring to an end the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Understandably as well, some other elements of the opposition were wary of the noise being generated by JDV, insisting that the nature of JDV's personality is such that all the smoke and noise you could hear are part of a complex dance the former Speaker is so used to engaging in, a dance that is meant to raise the ante in protracted negotiations. In effect these elements of the opposition were dismissive of JDV's so-called "threats" and doubtful that he had much to offer anyway. Or at least much to offer that would not explode in his own face, having been so tied up with the Arroyo government from Day One.

In fact the doubters wondered how JDV could come forward when his hands were far from clean; that he hasn't come forward at all makes them all the more convinced they were right to think that there was nothing behind all that bluster.

Not to mention, of course, the impression that a JDV "expose" so late in the day would leave: worse than a "me-too", JDV would appear as someone who stayed for the ride for as long as he had a front seat in the Administration. And what a front seat he had! And then, when he was no longer part of the inner circle, part of the group that divided the pie every day of the political life of this Administration, he was now coming forward - never mind so belatedly - seeking to expose the sins of the Administration he was so willingly a part of.

To whatever expose he could or would make the response,, if I am asked, should be: "We suspected as much, and we hold you accountable for those sins as well."

A week ago I asked the listeners of the daily program "Pananaw sa DWWW 774 kHz" what their impressions, suspicions, even conclusions were about the ZTE-broadband controversy given all that they had seen, heard or read and now that no new information would ever be forthcoming from Romulo Neri thanks to the blessings given him by the Supreme Court. Given that the Senate inquiry has not (yet) been concluded; that Lozada is still in the custody of nuns; that Abalos is retired and flipping "burjers", that Joey de V is thinking of running for a House or Senate seat, and that so many other scams and exposes have followed to wipe off the front pages any stories about ZTE - what was in the minds of the program's radio listeners about the ZTE deal, about the cast of characters involved in it, and about the government in general and PGMA in particular?

I must say that I wasn't surprised about the results.

Out of about 25 callers, all but two listeners seem to have come to the conclusion that the ZTE deal was a deal that was supposed to result in some very lucky chaps in government pocketing hundreds of millions of pesos, at taxpayers' expense, and that the deal was only foiled because of a fight over the spoils.

More importantly, many linked the ZTE deal to the 2004 elections and the allegations that the victory of GMA in that polls was thanks to the help of friends in the Comelec, in the military and the PNP. That the Comelec chair in the 2004 polls was Benjamin Abalos himself has led many listeners to believe that the ZTE deal was his "just reward".

While I am inclined to believe that such a reward has only resulted in Abalos simply flipping burgers in disgrace, others believe that ZTE had given some advances which could very well be financing some peoples' retirement, even if early.

And this being the disgrace is very rarely a lifelong curse. Especially for those involved in the respectable calling called politics.

And so, JDV or no JDV, even if the Senate were to conclude the ZTE investigations today, citing the inability to get to the truth due to many roadblocks along the way, it appears that to a significant segment of the Philippine population the conclusions have been made and the judgment handed down, albeit one in the realm of the court of public opinion. And it is a judgment that is unkind to the incumbent president, unkind to many of her minions involved in the ZTE deal, unkind even to some members of her family. It is also a judgment that continues to link ZTE to the controversial elections of 2004, in what is a continuing crisis of credibility and legitimacy that this government may never be able to overcome.

To think that a Thai prime minister's ouster is sought because of a TV cooking class stint, and we can't even oust a government for cooking deals or cooking election results?

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My quick trip to Sydney recently was via Philippine Airlines, and I must say that I was quite satisfied with the service, the travel time, and the on-board attention given to passengers. Thanks to the crew of PR 210 which left Sydney on Sept. 1 and arrived in Manila via Melbourne at 6 a.m. on Sept. 2.