PART 4: The government's attempt to reach out to the INC leadership

Part 1: INC Rebellion - INC's role in bringing the crowd to the EDSA 3 rally
Part 2: INC Rebellion - INC's role in the rebellion plot
Part 3: The government's response to the plot, specifically against the INC

The government's attempt to reach out to the INC leadership

The inside story:The Fall of Joseph Estrada: The Inside Story - a book by Amando Doronilla
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It was clear to Malacanang that the key to the successful EDSA 3 rally was the support from INC and El Shaddai. Some of the presidential advisers were reportedly not very keen to deal with Manalo and Velarde. But convinced that the pullout of the faithful followers of Manalo and Velarde from the rally and the stop to the 24-hour coverage of INC media outlets would be a big blow to the protest movement, the president had decided to reach out to the two even before coup rumors spread. According to an INC source, the president sent word thrice that she would like to meet Executive Director Erano Manalo. The source said that Manalo did not meet the president at the height of EDSA 3 because he was very unhappy with the way Estrada was being treated by the government.

Other sources said tha INC was also uncomfortable with the influence of the Catholic church, particularly Jaime Cardinal Sin, in the Macapagal Arroyo administration. Some influential INC members were recommended to positions in the new government but none was appointed since members of the Macapagal-Arroyo screening committee were identified closely with the Catholic church. In fact, there were reports od a plan to attack Villa San Miguel, the cardinal's residence in Mandaluyong City, not far from the EDSA shrine. Television stations ABS-CBN and GMA-7, accused of biased reporting, were reported to be similar targets.

A presidential adviser said, even before the arrest of Estrada, the INC leadership had already told the palace its bottomline demand: house arrest for Estrada while cases against him were being heard. The palace replied that the demand was against the law, but the Sandiganbayan could allow Estrada to stay in a hospital, if the doctors certified that he needed immediate medical attention. It was the first time the concept of house arrest was considered.