Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Gonzales gathers Mindanao governors By Ben O. Tesiorna
NATIONAL Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales called for an emergency meeting with all Mindanao governors in a hotel in Cagayan de Oro City Sunday. About 90 percent of the governors attended.
During the meeting, Gonzales opened the idea of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo staying in Davao Region for a week to meet with all of them.
The meeting was reportedly announced Saturday and lasted for around three hours last Sunday at the Coresco Hotel during which Gonzales rallied the governors to support the President.
In the meeting, the governors agreed to assert their collective and individual authority to resist any unconstitutional and illegal moves to oust or force to resign President Arroyo.
Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas, in a text message, said they agreed not to recognize in their respective provinces any "usurper" who benefits from the ouster of Arroyo.
Cagas said Gonzales also briefed them of the real score on the destabilization plot against the President.
When asked if the Palace promised anything in exchange for their support to the President, Cagas said there was none.
He added that even if there was any promise of reward for their loyalty and support, he said it was the last thing on their mind.
"Obviously while there was no such promise, Secretary Gonzales as National Security Adviser is in position to give that. President Arroyo will favor us with gratitude if she survives with our help. But it wasn't any promise or reward that prompted us to make such resolve but our strong feelings para la patria and President Arroyo," Cagas said.
It was Compostela Valley Governor Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy who revealed that Gonzales also discussed with them the possibility of the President staying in Davao region for a week to meet with Mindanaoan governors.
But he denied that Arroyo is seeking refuge here in Mindanao as anti-Arroyo sentiment in Metro Manila grows.
"Para lang daw makausap niya yung buong Mindanao officials. The governors of Mindanao also suggested that the President should put up a Malacañang of sort here. And to give Mindanao a fair share from the national treasure. After all we are the food basket and the future in Mindanao is even better," Uy said.
He said Gonzales promised to relay the governors' sentiments to the President after their meeting.
