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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Charter change poll coming: Arroyo
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo warned Monday that the people will soon be called upon to end the political deadlock, hinting that a plebiscite determining the fate of the proposed Charter change and shift in form of government may be forthcoming.
Arroyo, in her Independence Day speech at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and later at the vin d' honneur in Malacañang, said there are sectors who dishonor the memory of those who fought for Philippine independence through misguided initiatives.
"Democracies can be lively but they must not be divisive and that the fight to uphold independence must not be done among ourselves," she said.
"Many of those who shout in the streets have done nothing for this nation except foment strife and stagnation. But time will eventually expose them as false prophets whose primary platform is self-interest and national division," the President further said.
Arroyo said our forefathers and national heroes did not make sacrifices just to create an independent nation where politics takes precedence over progress.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Presidential adviser for political affairs Gabriel Claudio said the President was most likely hinting about a plebiscite as the people's initiative to change the Constitution gains momentum.
Ermita said that since proponents of the people's initiative have already gotten the three percent required signatures from each district and the signatures from 12 percent of the total voting population in the country, the plebiscite may no longer be far behind.
Claudio, for his part, said Arroyo did not specify it but he believes "the decision-making process is underway."
He said there is still time, even if possibilities of meeting the timeframe set by the House and the proponents of Charter change are slim.
Papal Nuncio Fernando Filoni, representative of Vatican to Manila and dean of the diplomatic corps, wished Arroyo success in her "ambitious but sustainable plans" that include institutionalizing political reforms.
About 6,000 police and soldiers were deployed to guard Independence Day celebrations led by Arroyo in the capital. Security concerns were exacerbated by a bomb attack by unidentified assailants that damaged a mobile police station Sunday in suburban Manila.
Police Monday said they detained 15 left-wing students who tried to disrupt a flag-raising ceremony at a historic shrine, led by Vice President Noli de Castro, in Cavite province.
The students barged into a public square where de Castro was delivering a speech and unfurled red banners reading "Oust Arroyo." Surprised policemen grabbed the banners and took the students to a police station. They were released after a few hours without charges.
"This is a fake Independence Day," said protest leader Teresa Pangilinan, one of those taken to the police station. "There are much more killings today, many young people couldn't go to school and we couldn't exercise our freedom of speech."
Pangilinan, 23, gained national prominence in April when as a graduating college student she stood up while Arroyo was delivering a speech at a state-run Cavite university and called for the President's ouster.
Politically themed banners and shirts, along with "hakot" crowds, were the order of the day during the celebration in various areas of Metro Manila.
In Manila, green "Serbisyo Muna" T-shirts with the face of Arroyo plastered at the back replaced the blue "Pangulong Gloria" shirts worn by street sweepers.
Out-of-school youths wearing the green shirts were seen "patrolling" the Rizal Park where Arroyo led the flag-raising ceremony.
Several groups brought placards and signs that read "We need you GMA!" "Mahal ka namin GMA (We love you GMA)" and "Mahal na pangulo, maraming salamat sa ibinibigay ninyong trabaho (Beloved president thank you for the jobs you provided)!"
The pro-Arroyo placards were seen ferried on trucks of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, together with "bystanders" in civilian clothes.
Government multi-cabs and vehicles brought in city employees, boy and girl scouts, and war veterans.
Apparently still sore from last Friday's "lapse in judgment," police, soldiers and presidential guards kept tight guard over Mendiola Bridge near Malacaang, including all the side streets leading to it. (JMR/MSN/ECV/Sunnex/With AP)
(June 13, 2006 issue)
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