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Saturday, July 16, 2005
Arroyo uses ‘people power’ in political battle (5:35 p.m.)
MANILA -- Matching masses against masses, supporters of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo held their own "people power" rally Saturday to counter suggestions that all Filipinos want her to quit over allegations of vote rigging.
Police estimated the crowd at about 50,000 people--well short of organizers' goal of 200,000 but still larger than the 40,000 who gathered for an opposition rally Wednesday in the capital's financial district.
The solid turnout could give Arroyo the boost she needs to survive the political crisis that erupted six weeks ago when it was revealed she talked to an election official before the results were announced in last year's presidential ballot. The opposition has accused her of fraud; she has denied any wrongdoing.
Dozens of buses and colorful jeepneys, some bringing people from adjacent provinces, lined seaside Roxas Boulevard leading to Rizal Park, where the late Pope John Paul II preached to a huge crowd in 1995.
The atmosphere was festive with drummers and other musicians offering entertainment from the grandstand.
Still, the message was serious. A huge flag in the middle of the site dubbed the rally "Gathering for peace, unity through the rule of law," and the grandstand was festooned with streamers that read "Heal our land" "Law, not uprising" and "Jobs, not chaos."
"Thank you for being one with us," beloved boxer Manny Pacquiao told the cheering crowd. "To my fellow Filipinos, let us all unite."
Bert Rodriguez of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ religious group claimed that people cannot remove Arroyo from office "because she was appointed by God."
Saturday's rally organizers included religious groups and local government leaders capable of motivating tens of thousands of people to attend, including government workers who can be required to attend rallies.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, an Arroyo ally, invited the opposition to attend the rally, which he called a "prayer gathering... for a peaceful resolution to this problem of ours."
"We are for the rule of law and we do not join the street mobs calling for the resignation of the president unjustifiably," Atienza said. "The president cannot step down on the basis of an accusation. There should be a trial and (the charges) should be proven true."
Among those attending were Angelo dela Cruz, a truck driver snatched in Iraq who credits Arroyo with obtaining his release from captivity.
"I came here on my own to support the president," dela Cruz said. "I don't believe the accusations against her because I know she was elected by the people." (AP)
(Reposted with updates) |
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