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Sunday, March 07, 2004
More local execs laud SC decision
LOCAL administration and opposition party members along with other sectoral groups are mixed in their reactions to the Supreme Court's decision declaring presidential bet Fernando Poe, Jr. as a natural born Filipino.
In separate interviews with Sun.Star Thursday, Lakas-CMD believes the decision now removed suspicions the Palace was behind the failed disqualification case.
They also believe that Arroyo can still "comfortably" win over Poe.
But the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) for their part believed it was the "Voice of God" while others said the eight-five-one decision in favor of Poe could be a "sample" of the "landslide results" for the action star in the coming May Elections.
KNP senatorial bet and former Cagayan de Oro Mayor Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. said the decision just boosted the SC's integrity in the eyes of the public.
"I expected the Supreme Court to rule that FPJ is a natural born Filipino citizen. SC has grown ten feet taller in the eyes of people especially of the Chief Justice and Justice Vitug upholding FPJ side," he said.
Muslim Bangsamoro Multi-Sectoral Assembly head Datu Lax Dalidig based in Marawi City said it was a sign that justice can still prevail in the country.
"Justice prevail and it is a Gift of God to the Filipino People that we still enjoy peace in Halalan 2004," he said.
Karapatan lawyer Atty. Beverly Musni said everyone should just respect the ruling since the SC is the "final arbiter of the land."
Comfortable win
Meanwhile, Lakas-CMD candidates Cagayan de Oro Rep. Constantino Jaraula, Misamis Oriental First Dist. Rep. Oscar Moreno and councilor Jose Benjamin Benaldo voiced their own opinions on the case.
Jaraula "welcomes" the SC move while Moreno said it should be respected. Benaldo then expressed "disgust" over the decision.
Jaraula said the SC decision would now "stabilize" the political campaigning of the national candidates.
Despite this development, he said the President will still "comfortably win" in Cagayan de Oro City based on her performance.
"No other president has poured in as much or as many projects in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental as President Arroyo has," he said.
Moreno for his part said the SC decision has now erased doubts that Arroyo was indeed the one behind the disqualification case.
"Let's respect the decision of the Supreme Court, our country's highest court. This should dispel the baseless accusation that the Palace was behind the failed disqualification case," he said.
Good decision
But Benaldo said, "I am not just disappointed but disgusted over the SC decision."
The city councilor explained that Fr. Joaquin Bernas, one of the Friends of Court invited for the FPJ citizenship hearing, has flip-flopped on his earlier definition of a natural born Filipino citizen.
Benaldo recounted how Bernas was his professor when he was studying law in Ateneo University College, Manila.
He said Bernas then explained this "natural-born" Filipino provision as someone who was born as a Filipino without any question.
"Nga walay nakapahid nga laing dugo (That he is not exactly mixed blooded)...Fr. Bernas said to be a natural-born Filipino there would be no other action needed to complete that person's being a Filipino citizen," he said.
"But now he (Fr. Bernas) is saying the legitimacy and illegitimacy is not Poe's fault...I am disgusted," he added.
Lakas-CMD Iligan city mayor Franklin Quijano said, "Walay laing (There is no other) Supreme Court, let the matter rest and let's face the process of strengthening democracy-elections."
For another Lakas-CMD member Camiguin congressman Jiji Romualdo, the eight Supreme Court justices made a "good decision."
Triumph of justice
But Claveria town Mayor Rocky Calingin believes it was a "bad omen" for Arroyo. "It was a sign of GMA's incoming defeat in the coming election!" he said.
Opol town mayor Dixson Yasay for his part believes the SC decision was a "fair" one while KNP mayoralty bet Atty. Antonio Soriano said, "Great. Now the battle is drawn."
Zaldy Ocon, an opposition candidate for city councilor in Cagayan de Oro, voiced convictions the SC just showed that indeed "justice is still alive in the country."
For PDP-Laban local spokesperson Atty. Roderico Villaroya said it was "a triumph of justice and truth which had almost been blurred by a woman's (Arroyo) insatiable lust for power and fleeting glory. It might even be the voice of God reminding his people never to lose their sanity."
PDP-Laban city councilor bet and incumbent Lapasan barangay chairman Bong Lao said the SC decision was a "remarkable" one.
"We can conclude that the justices couldn't be swayed with political pressure but rather the interest of our nation is what matter most. This will bring our country into normal situation and at peace," he said. LJA
(March 5, 2004 issue)
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