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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Arroyo warns she could impose emergency rule anew
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday said she would not hesitate to use emergency powers again to fight groups seeking her ouster and maintain peace and order in the country.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, started hearing arguments on seven petitions seeking to declare Arroyo's decree unconstitutional. A ruling was not expected this week.
Arroyo said the conspiracy by left-wing and right-wing groups that the government quelled last week would have destroyed democracy in the Philippines if it had triumphed.
"The laws are there and, as I said when I lifted the state of emergency, I am monitoring events and I will not hesitate to do what needs to be done to uphold the law," Arroyo said in an interview with GMA radio, which was broadcast nationwide.
Arroyo imposed the emergency on February 24 and withdrew it on Friday, expressing confidence that order had been restored. She said she needed the emergency decree to thwart an alleged coup plot involving communist rebels, "misguided" soldiers, opposition politicians and businessmen.
"I am a strong believer in democratic principles," Arroyo said.
"But I also believe that we should stop people who abuse their freedoms and install groups that will one day destroy those very freedoms - the communists who conspire with the extreme right."
"We showed how strong and stable our government was," she said. "We moved swiftly and we averted violence."
Arroyo thanked the soldiers and policemen who did not allow themselves to be recruited by rogue officers who were allegedly involved in the destabilization attempt on her administration last February 24.
During the interview with GMA Channel 7 anchorman Mike Enriquez, Arroyo praised the station and branded a rival network as irresponsible.
She added that government is still monitoring media despite the lifting of the state of national emergency.
Arroyo called Enriquez a "model journalist" and said she chose him for her first interview after lifting the state of emergency because he is not seditious.
Enriquez tried to butt in by saying that he also makes criticisms.
But Arroyo was not about to be stopped in her praises, and told the broadcaster: "Nagbabatikos ka, ikaw ay hindi isang langisero, ganoon pa man, hindi ka seditious (You criticize but you do not foment trouble, you are not seditious)."
The President said she is not looking for "praise releases" but she is looking for a journalist who knows his limits and who is aware of the difference between "fiscalizing journalism and sedition."
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. earlier said government is looking into the allegedly seditious tone of ABS-CBN's coverage of the Fort Bonifacio standoff last February 26.
Government officials claimed that ABS-CBN encouraged people to come to Fort Bonifacio and support the Marines who were planning to break away.
Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor, at the height of the standoff, even called on media not to cover the event, stressing that it was an "internal matter."
Also on Tuesday, a small group of left-wing protesters unfurled a banner at an overpass along one of Manila's major roads that read "Resist Arroyo tyrannical rule."
Leftist groups have vowed to continue protests and calls for Arroyo's ouster over corruption and vote-rigging allegations.
A handful of militant students also gathered outside the Supreme Court, demanding Arroyo's resignation and holding a placard saying, "Never again to martial rule."
In the wake of the emergency decree -- which gave the government powers to ban rallies, arrest people without warrants and crack down on media -- a left-wing lawmaker has been arrested and charged with rebellion. Five other left-wing legislators are under virtual house arrest at the Congress compound.
The commander of the Army's elite Scout Rangers, the chief of the police Special Action Force, and the commandant of the Philippine marines have been relieved of their posts on suspicion they were involved in the plot that was to have been carried out during last week's 20th anniversary of the "people power" revolt that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Police also had raided the opposition newspaper Daily Tribune, but stopped short of closing it.
Arroyo's spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said the administration will abide by whatever the Supreme Court decides on petitions questioning the legality of emergency rule.
Solicitor General Alfredo Benipayo argued Monday that questions about Arroyo's proclamation have become moot since the decree was lifted. He said the proclamation did not clip or suspend any rights and had a clear basis in the Constitution.
In the interview, Arroyo said she wanted to work with political opponents but will not wait for their response.
"I am not withdrawing my call for unity, but I will not use up all my time and energy for that because I need to also pay attention to the economy." (JMR/AP/Sunnex)
(March 8, 2006 issue)
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