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Tuesday, March 02, 2004
Cardinal Vidal linked to destabilization plot
CEBU CITY -- Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal has been linked, along with other personalities, to destabilization plots against the Arroyo administration.
Both Malacañang and the Cebu Archdiocese described the report as "absurd and unverified" and made without basis.
"These reports are absurd, especially the purported attempt to link even a high religious personality in the person of Cardinal Vidal and also some members of the opposition," said Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye.
"But what is even more absurd is for the opposition to use this incredible report as a campaign issue in an obvious attempt to boost their dwindling support," he said.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. bared a 17-page report dated Feb. 18 containing a list of personalities supposedly monitored and being linked by the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp) to destabilization plots against the government.
In recent weeks, Cardinal Vidal has received presidential aspirants Fernando Poe Jr. and Raul Roco as visitors in his residence.
But Cebu Archdiocese media liaison officer Msgr. Achilles Dakay said it is preposterous to link the cardinal to plans to take down the government.
"Bisan kinsa nila (politicians) igo ra gyud na mo-amin sa cardinal kon makabisita dinhi sa Sugbo, sort ba ug pagpromote nila (Politicians who come to visit only go so far as kiss the hand of the cardinal)," Dakay said.
Dakay said the cardinal told outright members of the national media who called up Monday afternoon that he does not know anything about the report Pimentel had bared.
Former president Joseph Estrada was close to the 72-year-old cardinal. He even preferred him over then Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.
Aside from Vidal, others included in the list were Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) senatorial bets Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile and Francisco Tatad and incumbent Sens. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Edgardo Angara, Vicente Sotto III and Tessie Aquino-Oreta.
Pimentel criticized the government for coming up with such a report, which he said builds a premise that the opposition is engaged in destabilization
He said it would not be surprising if the administration would soon cite them for rebellion and later charge them.
Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita earlier revealed that there is continuing recruitment of junior officers by groups connected with the Magdalo group, which mounted a failed mutiny last July 27 to join plots against the administration.
Msgr. Dakay, however, rejected the talks about Vidal'a alleged ties to these plots, pointing out that no constant communication even takes place between the archbishop and members of the opposition party.
"Where is the missing link? Do they have a photo showing the cardinal meeting with the destabilizers? The burden of proof is with the military, if indeed the reports came from them," Dakay said.
In 2000, Cebuanos and some priests rallied against the cardinal for not supporting the call for the resignation of Estrada. Cardinal Vidal instead called for due process through impeachment, which may also result in his resignation.
While the administration is aware that some errant groups are plotting against the government, Bunye said they would not engage in a witch-hunt nor would they simply accuse anyone without basis.
Baseless
Administration Sen. Ramon Magsaysay, who was also linked to the destabilization plot, said the report is a "baseless lie."
Magsaysay said the report is "fabricated, malicious and baseless" as he is one of those supporting the conduct of clean and honest elections in May.
"As a senator of the Republic, I have the mandate to take up issues brought up by our ordinary citizens from all sectors and ensure their rights under our laws," Magsaysay added.
He refused to give credence to the exposé of Pimentel, as he suspected that it just part of the electoral campaign.
Magsaysay said although he knows some personalities of the Council of Philippine Affairs (Copa) like Pastor "Boy" Saycon, it doesn't mean that he is part of any destabilization plot. JMR/JPM/AIV
(March 2, 2004 issue)
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