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Monday, July 07, 2008
Palace denies chasing anti-admin groups
MANILA -- Palace official denied allegations that Malacañang is going after allies of anti-administration forces following the coup charges filed against Homobono Adaza, legal lawyer of some rebel soldiers.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol said there is enough evidence to back the charges against Adaza and his co-accused and to establish probable cause.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
"That's not true. There is enough evidence against Adaza and the four colonels, and also against (Alvarez) Isnaji, that's why they filed the cases. Our problem is, it's not easy to look for justice in this country if we listen to the opposition, because the opposition always plays politics, not justice," he said.
Apostol reacted to comments of opposition Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. that the administration has shifted its attention by including the lawyers of those against the government.
Adaza, Pimentel said, is only defending soldiers charged with toppling the government.
He also said Indanan Mayor Alvarez Isnaji was only negotiating for the release of a television crew and a professor from the hands of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).
Apostol said authorities are building up cases against these individuals and are backing up the allegations with evidence.
He said Adaza was allowed to post bail since the proposal to commit coup is a bailable offense. "I believe there is probable cause."
He added that a related extortion case filed by lawyer Raymund Fortun, impeachment lawyer of former President Joseph Estrada, against Adaza, former Colonels Oscarlito Mapalo and Cesar de la Pena, and ex-superintendent Rafael Cardeño for allegedly asking his Japanese client for US$4 million to finance the supposed plot boost the charges.
Adaza and his co-accused were arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) last Wednesday for an alleged plot against the administration, after Fortun accused them of inviting him to join a conspiracy to mount an armed revolt against the government.
He also filed charges of extortion on behalf of his client.
Presidential Management Staff (PMS) head Cerge Remonde said on Sunday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would proceed with her activities, including those outside Malacañang and Metro Manila, despite reported coup threats against her and her administration.
"The President will continue to focus on public service. She will not be distracted by politics or political destabilization. After all, public service is the best politics," Remonde said.
Arroyo on Monday is set to address the 8th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Science and Technology Week that the Philippines is hosting and opening at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said on Friday that intelligence reports showed that there are planned movements and actions close to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of the President on July 28.
His pronouncements came at the heels of Adaza's arrest for alleged plot to topple the government. (JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (July 7, 2008 issue)
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