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Monday, June 13, 2005
No to more uprisings: mayor, congressman
By Raquel C. Bagnol and Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Supporters of the opposition in Manila who are taking to the streets in an attempt to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cannot count or expect support from Davao City.
If people in Manila continue to plot the ouster of whoever President there is, then they will just have to do it without Mindanao, said Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and Davao first district Representative and House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles Sunday.
"It's about time the militants in Manila know that they are not the only ones living in the country. Mindanao is not just going to watch them in an uprising and accept who the next leader would be," Duterte said, warning that Mindanao might just opt to be a separate republic if Manila continues to mess around with the country's political stability.
In far off Pampanga, Kapampangan leaders were also uniting in support of President Arroyo amid attempts by some sectors to destabilize the present administration and calls from the opposition for her to step down.
Pampanga Governor Mark T. Lapid urged the business sector, as well as government and non-government organizations, to unite as one and rally behind Arroyo in a meeting at a restaurant in the City of San Fernando Sunday.
Nograles said in Davao City that Mindanao did not participate in the Edsa 1 and Edsa 2 that whipped up "people power" uprisings that toppled Marcos in 1986 and Estrada in 2000.
"The people of Mindanao just waited to see who becomes the next leader, but not this time," Nograles said.
He said it was high time to shift to a parliamentary form of government where any leader involved in a scandal shall have automatic "loss of confidence" and can be asked to leave at a moment's notice.
Nograles added that instead of going out into the street or public court, there are specific agencies tasked to handle whatever alleged violations Arroyo may have committed.
"If election fraud really existed, we have the Comelec to handle that. The Department of Justice or the Office of the Ombudsman should handle the jueteng payoffs issue if it involves public officials," Nograles said.
Nograles said the country is in political shock and immediate drastic changes are needed. He also urged the people to follow the rule of law and due process.
He quoted Susan Roces who told opposition supporters to "stay calm because this is not doing any good for the country."
Mayor Duterte also said that another uprising would be courting trouble that would hasten the break up of the country.
"Let the events unfold legally. If you want to build a Republic of Edsa, go ahead but you can't take Mindanao for granted at all times. We will not allow it this time," Duterte said.
Duterte said he is not restricting militants in Davao City from conducting rallies to air their grievances.
"If you want to demonstrate and conduct mass action, feel free to do so. You can occupy any plaza you want and shout until nighttime as long as you don't disrupt traffic or disturb the normal flow of things," Duterte said.
But, Duterte said, if ever a new "Edsa republic" is catapulted to power due to a revolution in Manila then Mindanaoans are better off having their own republic here away from the manipulation of politicians in Manila.
"If you want to set up a Republic of Edsa, fine. Ayaw mi idamay or else we will set up our own republic. Just give us a fair share," Duterte said. Nograles concurred with Duterte's sentiments saying many of Mindanao congressmen are also of the same opinion.
"We don't want to be dictated by imperial Manila anymore. Soloha ninyo na," Nograles said.
Duterte then called on the New People's Army and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as well as on all other freedom fighters to form a coalition that would run things here in Mindanao. The mayor said he would not mind at all to be under a Bangsamoro republic. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(June 13, 2005 issue)
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