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Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Senate chief may be penalized by party: chairman
MANILA -- Manila Mayor Jose Atienza Jr., the national chairman of the Liberal Party (LP), said Monday the party may have to discipline Senate President Franklin Drilon for allegedly being behind a plot to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Atienza said in an interview after the red carpet welcome hosted by Arroyo for boxers Manny Pacquiao, Rey Bautista, and Bryan Viloria in Malacañang that his party may have to meet soon to discuss and decide on the fate of Drilon, who is the LP president.
He said Drilon is dragging the whole party into the oust-Arroyo plot but the reality is majority of party members support the Chief Executive. He said they are worried about the type of politics that Drilon is adopting.
Drilon has denied allegations that he and former president Corazon Aquino are plotting to forcibly remove Arroyo from office.
Atienza said many in the party does not agree with the actions taken by Drilon and are now disassociating themselves from him. He added that Drilon has violated several party regulations but Atienza did not specify what they are.
He said no date has been set for the party meeting.
The Manila mayor shrugged off the allegations made by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye that Drilon is involved in destabilization plots against the President. He said the officials have their reasons and basis for making such statements.
Asked if Drilon is capable of such a plot, Atienza said, "Pagka-ikaw ay nalalabuan na ng kagustuhan mo sa kapangyarihan, talagang malalabuan ka na rin sa tinatawag na wisdom." (If you can't seem to get anymore what you want from those in power, you also have the tendency to lose some sense of wisdom.)
Bunye said Drilon "set up" Arroyo while Santiago said the Senate President and Aquino are involved in the plot to remove the President from power by October 15.
Atienza said he respects Aquino and had been among her staunch allies. "Isa akong talagang naniwala sa kanya (I am one of those who believe in her). I hope she can also explain her side and her position on these issues. Right now, I'd rather not comment on the allegations against her," he said.
Bunye said whether the alleged plot against Arroyo is true or not, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) is prepared to ensure the safety and security of the President and her family.
He said other law enforcement authorities would conduct the necessary investigations to verify the alleged plots. He said this would be done objectively, based on evidence and following due process.
"Unlike the Senate investigations, we are not going on a witch hunt. We will not heap suspicion and insults upon the person of anybody. Other than that, we leave the investigation of the matter to the NBI," he added.
Bunye added that Arroyo would not be affected by these threats.
He also dismissed allegations that Malacañang is behind the alleged smear campaign against Drilon and Aquino.
Bunye said Santiago may have her own sources about her revelations and what he has as basis for his earlier statement was a previous meeting he and Drilon had attended.
He also distanced Malacañang from any possible move to replace Drilon as Senate President. Bunye said that is the business of the Senate and "as for us, it is enough that we have exposed his hidden agenda."
"It is also enough that we have called attention to the fact that so many bills of national importance are languishing in the Senate under the present leadership and this has been due to the numerous investigations in aid of destabilization," he added.
Atienza said it's time to move on and put an end to politicking.
PSG commander Brigadier General Delfin Bangit said they have reduced the alert status from red to blue, mainly due to the peaceful and orderly conduct of the JIL rally.
The alert level was raised following the Jesus is Lord (JIL) anniversary at the Quirino Grandstand Sunday night. The prayer rally turned into a political rally following the attendance of members of the pro-impeachment bloc in the House and detractors of the President led by members of the so-called "Hyatt 10".
Bunye said the conduct of the JIL rally is part of the people's right to choose their religion, assembly, and free speech.
Bangit admitted they are maintaining high security alert and taking necessary security measures following the reported threat against the life of Arroyo.
He said whether the report is true or not, it does not mean that we are not taking the reports seriously.
Bangit said they are assessing the situation daily and no restrictions have been imposed on the President nor were any of her activities outside the Palace restricted. (JMR/Sunnex)
(October 4, 2005 issue)
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