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Monday, February 27, 2006
Palace: State of emergency necessary, not an overkill
MALACAÑANG on Sunday told former President Fidel Ramos that the declaration of a state of national emergency was not an overkill but "a needed move" to protect the 1987 Constitution and the Arroyo administration from those threatening it.
Ramos, in a press conference last Saturday, criticized President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for declaring a state of national emergency and called it as overkill. He said not even Ferdinand Marcos closed a newspaper until after he declared Martial Law.
He was also slighted because he was not consulted before the declaration and retired general Ramon Montano, who was his presidential adviser on police matters, was invited for questioning.
"The former President is entitled to his own opinion, but the basis of Proclamation 1017 is clear. We are saying that it was a necessary move to protect our Constitution and duly constituted authorities," said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye.
Bunye said government's actions are "well-calibrated and there is no overkill." He said the Constitution and the institutions of government are "in full operation."
Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio said government still adheres to the 1987 Constitution, including the protection of civil liberties and human rights. He said the writ of habeas corpus has not been suspended.
"There is no overkill in that. How can it be an overkill when the President has endured and tolerated all the seditious indignity, abuse and destabilization thrown against her and the state for a long time now?" Claudio asked.
He said Malacañang has sent to Ramos materials on Proclamation 1017 and other issuances related to the declaration of a state of national emergency. He apologized to Ramos, saying the legal basis and circumstances behind the presidential proclamation might not have been adequately explained.
"We will avail of any opportunity to listen to him and also to share the perspectives of the Palace," he added. (JMR/Sunnex)
(February 27, 2006 issue)
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