nd so the drama of Philippine politics continues with yet another plot twist as the opposition gets a taste of its own medicine. Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, on Thursday (7/14) presented the media a compact disc of alleged wiretapped conversations between ex-president Joseph Estrada and as yet un-named individuals, wherein plans to overthrow the government were discussed. The end result of this new allegation could be the addition of "treason" to the charge of "plunder" already facing the former president.

It appears that Estrada may have dug himself deeper into a hole should Governor Singson's allegations prove true. In point of fact, there are many who question how someone under detention is even permitted to talk with anyone over the phone or make statements to the press. Even the United States, a country that champions press freedom, does not afford Saddam Hussein that level of leniency. The same should be true for Estrada.

And for Gloria Arroyo, the choice she must make is clear: She can do herself--as well as Estrada--a favor by the strict enforcement of his detention rules; or she can continue to allow him the soapbox from which he can continue to undermine and destabilize her government. Given the many pressing problems facing the country, that choice should be an easy one for the president to make.