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Thursday, November 01, 2007
Arroyo hits back at critics
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday criticized those calling for her resignation and the conduct of snap elections and told them to wait for the next election in 2010.
Arroyo said the successful outcome of the recently concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections underscored the firm commitment of Filipinos to "democracy and strong political institutions."
Malacanang's pardon order
Post comments here on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's grant of pardon to former President Joseph Estrada.
"That message should not be ignored by groups that are out to destroy the gains of a strong economy through extra-constitutional means. The Constitution clearly sets our next elections in 2010," she said.
She urged the public to support her administration in its effort to sustain the economic gains and eventually translate them to better public service through better health care and education, among others.
"Let us not be distracted by the impatient few who believe they are above the rule of law, and thus entitled to undermine the sacrifices and hard work of our people," she added.
Several groups, including disgruntled soldiers, some members of the opposition, and bishops are calling on Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro, Senate President Manuel Villar Jr., and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. to resign to pave the way for snap elections.
They claimed that Arroyo has lost the moral authority to lead the country, citing several controversies hounding her administration like the "Hello Garci" wiretapping controversy, fertilizer scam, National Broadband Network (NBN) deal, and alleged bribery involving lawmakers and local government officials.
An Arroyo aide, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, also advised the public to ignore all calls for the resignation of Arroyo and other top government leaders.
Ermita said in the end people would see that Arroyo's decision redounds to everyone's benefit.
He cited the conditional pardon that Arroyo granted to former President Joseph Estrada that was greeted with support from all sectors.
"You cannot expect 100 percent agreement from all the Filipino people but I can tell you it's the power of the President to grant such pardon under the Constitution," he said.
He also dismissed an online petition calling for the resignation of the country's leaders, which has now gathered 1,009 signatories as of October 31 or 10 days since it was started on October 21.
The petition, which also calls for snap elections in 60 days, stated that Arroyo has already lost moral authority following several controversies.
Ermita acknowledged Chief Justice Reynato Puno's rejection of calls asking him to head a transition government in case Arroyo, de Castro, Villar and de Venecia heed calls for their resignation.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, is distancing itself from the calls of a multi-sectoral group for a transition government headed by Puno.
Military public information officer Bartolome Bacarro said the 120,000-strong establishment is not commenting on the call of the group headed by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and Bishops Julio Xavier Labayen, Antonio Tobias, and Deogracias Iñiguez, saying the matter is purely political.
"That is a political question and it is not the work of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to indulge itself in political matters. We have processes that have to be followed and that should be followed," said Bacarro, when asked for the military's stand on the call.
The military played a key role in the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and of Estrada in 2001. Arroyo has survived two major military adventurisms since she took over the presidency from Estrada.
Asked if the military considers the resignation call as another attempt to destabilize the government, Bacarro said they are not the proper group to determine that. (JMR/VR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (November 1, 2007 issue)
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