EDSA RALLY SET TODAY: Some 30,000 people will hold a big rally at the
People Power Monument along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) near Camp
Aguinaldo in Quezon City today to demand the ouster of President Estrada.
Metro Manila police commander Director Edgar Aglipay said yesterday he will
deploy at least 6,000 policemen to maintain peace and order at the rally
which organizers call "Salubungan sa EDSA Part 2."
Another assembly point of the rallyist is Baclaran in Paranaque City, he
added. Pedregosa said members of some 30 militant labor unions, which are
affiliated with Sanlakas, are also expected to take part in the
anti-Estrada rally.
Rally organizers are reportedly planning to repeat the 1986 People Power
Revolution that led to the overthrow of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Another group, the All Resign Movement of the Lawyers, is calling for the
resignation of President Estrada, Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
and members of Congress.
Argee Guevarra of Sanlakas, who is a convenor of ARM the lawyers, called on
the people to launch another EDSA revolution to force all government
officials to resign as what had happened in the 1986 uprising against
Marcos.
At the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, a "people's bazaar" of anti-Estrada
paraphernalia, discussions and mini-programs will be held at 10 a.m.
At 2 p.m., a parade will start from the grandstand, then pass by Roxas
Boulevard and go in and around communities before heading for Chino Roces
(Mendiola) Bridge in Manila just across Malacanang Palace.
Known as "Parada ng Mamamayan: Erap's Deadliest Sins," the parade will be
spearheaded by BAYAN, Estrada Resign Movement (RESIGN), Council for
Philippine Affairs (COPA), Kangkong Brigade, and Couples for Christ.
The south contingent of protesters will assemble at Magallanes in Makati,
while the north contingent will meet in front of the Bonifacio Monument in
Caloocan. Phil. Star, 12/18/2000
ESTRADA ADMITS P5-M CHECK WENT TO US CONSULTANT: President Estrada admitted
yesterday that an American consultant working for him accepted a check for
P5 million from Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, but said the aide
was unaware the money came from illegal gambling lords.
Mr. Estrada said the consultant, Paul Bograd, deposited the money in a
personal bank account and may have used it to finance opinion polls.
Bograd has worked for the President since the 1998 election campaign,
conducting polls and giving advice on political strategy.
The check is the second payment from Singson that Mr. Estrada has
acknowledged was accepted by aides.
The President previously said he rejected a bribe of P200 million from
Singson, but later discovered the money had been given to an aide and ended
up in the bank account of a scholarship fund for Muslim youth which he
founded.
Critics say the Muslim Youth Foundation was a front used by the President
to cover up payoffs, but Mr. Estrada insisted yesterday that he planned to
provide scholarships to 100 people per year to study in the United States.
In his testimony yesterday, the seventh day of the impeachment trial,
Singson said Mr. Estrada's son, San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, collected
payoffs from jueteng operators in Bulacan but the President, who did not
want his children to participate, did not know his involvement.
He said the younger Estrada collected P3 million a month from jueteng
operators in Bulacan. He said Jinggoy turned over P2 million to him and
pocketed the rest.
Jinggoy Estrada has denied any involvement in jueteng and said he is ready
to testify at the impeachment trial to deny the accusations.
He will likely be called to the witness stand next week. Testifying for the
third straight day, Singson said Bulacan had been a problematic area and
most of the collections were delayed. He said this problem was solved when
Jinggoy said he would be responsible for Bulacan.
Singson reiterated his earlier testimony that he personally delivered the
jueteng collections of P5 million every 15 days to the President, except
once when the money was delivered by his secretary Emma Lim when he was
unavailable. Phil. Star, 12/16/2000
SWS: 78% OF PINOYS WANT ESTRADA TO TESTIFY: A majority of Filipinos want
President Estrada to take the stand at his impeachment trial and personally
refute the allegations against him as he earlier vowed, according to a
nationwide survey.
Further, Mr. Estrada's accuser, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson,
emerged as the most credible witness in the trial, the poll revealed.
In the survey, conducted by the Social Weather Stations Inc. (SWS) Dec.
8-11 and commissioned by ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp., 78 percent of the
1,200 respondents said they wanted Mr. Estrada to appear at his trial,
while 19 percent said otherwise.
Sixty-eight percent of the respondents believe it would do Mr. Estrada good
if he testifies personally, while 28 percent said he should "let his
lawyers argue for him" which they have been doing for the past days.
Among the witnesses who appeared at the trial, 13.4 percent of respondents
said Singson "gave very believable testimonies at the trial."
Singson is followed by his secretary Emma Lim (7.1 percent), alleged
jueteng auditor Yolanda Ricaforte (4.6 percent), and former PNP chief
Deputy Director General Roberto Lastimoso (3.4 percent).
Dwelling the cellar are presidential lawyer Edward Serapio (0.7 percent),
presidential adviser Anton Prieto (0.6 percent), close presidential
associate Charlie "Atong" Ang (0.6 percent) and San Juan Mayor and
presidential son Jinggoy Estrada (0.4 percent).
On the other hand, 9.2 percent said Singson "gave very unbelievable
testimonies." He was followed by Ricaforte (8.6 percent) and Lastimoso (3.5
percent).
So far, according to the survey, the public remained largely undecided on
whether the President should be convicted or acquitted by the Senate.
Fifty percent said they "don't know enough about the case" in order for
them to make an opinion, while 27 percent said Mr. Estrada "should be
convicted" and 19 percent said he "should be acquitted."
Asked whether or not Mr. Estrada "should resign without waiting for the
Senate's decision," 47 percent of respondents said the President should
wait for the outcome of the trial, while 25 percent said he should resign,
and 24 percent were undecided.
Asked if they were satisfied with the impeachment process, 40 percent said
they were satisfied by the way the House of Representatives impeached Mr.
Estrada. Twenty-eight percent said they were dissatisfied, while 29 percent
were undecided.
As to the speed the impeachment complaint was elevated to the Senate, 45
percent said it was "just right," 32 percent felt it was "deliberately
rushed," and 18 percent said it even appeared that it was "deliberately
delayed."
Forty-two percent of the respondents said they were satisfied by the
conduct of the trial in the Senate; 41 percent of them by the fairness of
the prosecution; and 45 percent by the fairness of the defense.
Asked if Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will do a better job if Mr.
Estrada is removed, only 20 percent believed that Arroyo will do a better
job while 46 percent believed that she would perform the same as Mr.
Estrada, and 26 percent said she would do even worse. Phil. Star,
12/16/2000
PANEL SAYS VALHALLA PAPERS LEAD TO ESTRADA: The prosecution panel yesterday
said it had uncovered a paper trail proving that businessman Jaime Dichaves
opened the bank account of Jose Valhalla/Velarde with Equitable PCIBank on
behalf of President Estrada.
Prosecutors said the documents included copies of checks from the
Valhalla/Velarde account and affidavits of different individuals privy to
the acquisition of the "Boracay" mansion, one of the pieces of property
that the President allegedly acquired.
They said the documents would strengthen their claim that Valhalla was no
other than Mr. Estrada.
The prosecutors said the documents showed that a P142-million check was
issued to purchase the Boracay mansion on 100 11th St., New Manila, Quezon
City, from the Madrigal family.
The money was transferred from the Equitable PCIBank account of
Valhalla/Velarde to the account of St. Peter's Holdings Inc., an alleged
dummy corporation set up by associates of Edward Serapio, the President's
personal lawyer.
In one of the documents, Serapio's former partners admitted that the firm
was merely a "shell" company and that they signed all its pertinent
documents "in blank."
"Considering that these holding companies are merely 'shell' or 'shelf'
companies, as they are commonly known in corporate practice/parlance, we
prepared and signed, at the time of incorporation, undated nominee
agreements and declarations of trust/deeds of assignment, with the
principals in blank," Serapio's former associates said in an affidavit.
They said they signed "undated resignation letters as officers and members
of the board of directors."
In another sworn statement, former housing czar Jose Luis "Sel" J. Yulo,
the registered chair of St. Peter's Holdings, admitted that he was fronting
for Dichaves, a close friend of the President and a telecommunications
equipment supplier.
Like Serapio's former partners, Yulo admitted that the documents he signed
for St. Peter's Holdings were all endorsed to him "in blank."
The documents showed that on Oct. 6, 1999, a P142-million check, drawn
against Valhalla's current account No. 000110-25495-4 with Equitable
PCIBank, was deposited at the Bank of Philippine Islands branch on
Greenbelt Drive in Makati City under Yulo's personal account.
On the same day, Yulo withdrew P50,000 from his personal account,
apparently to open a corporate account for St. Peter's Holdings at the same
BPI branch.
Two days later, Yulo, who is also a close friend of the President, withdrew
P142 million from his personal account and deposited the money in the
current account of St. Peter's Holdings.
Shortly after the P142 million was credited to St. Peter's corporate
account, the "dummy" corporation applied for three cashier's checks, two in
favor of Vicente AS Madrigal and/or Gerardo AS Madrigal in the amounts of
P86,766,960 and P1,301,504.40 respectively.
The other check, amounting to P53,931,535.60, was issued to Mercedes A.
Reyes.
While St. Peter's Holdings is supposedly a company capable of acquiring a
multimillion-peso property, bank records show that its current account has
only between P2,000 and P5,000 left just a few months after the
P142-million transaction.
"Apparently, the company (St. Peter's) was set up for the sole purpose of
buying the New Manila property from the Madrigals," private prosecutor
Romeo Capulong said.
Rep. Eduardo Nachura, one of the prosecutors in the impeachment trial, said
the panel would present at least three "surprise witnesses" this week.
Nachura said the witnesses could buttress the allegations that Dichaves was
merely fronting for the President.
He said the witnesses would also show the movement of the funds from the
Valhalla/Velarde account to the time the acquisition of the Boracay
property from the Madrigals was consummated.
Capulong said the documents would show that the Valhalla/Velarde account
and St. Peter's Holdings belonged to the President. said. Inquirer,
12/18/2000
FIGHT ERUPTS OVER CRUCIAL P142-M CHECK: House prosecutors yesterday begged
the Senate court to admit as evidence a secret bank account in Equitable
PCI Bank, saying it was the backbone of their case against President
Estrada.
"Please give it to us . . . Otherwise we cannot prove our case," Rep. Joker
Arroyo, one of the 11 prosecutors, told the Senate tribunal.
But defense lawyers objected, saying the bank account had nothing to do
with the President's illegal acts alleged in the Articles of Impeachment.
Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., the Senate trial's presiding officer,
asked both sides to submit their written arguments within 18 hours, after
which he would make a ruling.
"This is the meat of the issue--the materiality of what is to be produced.
I am sure that the impeachment court will not stop anyone from producing
evidence related to the facts alleged," Davide said.
Even so, he assured both sides that the court "will also be looking for the
truth."
Arroyo earlier said the Equitable PCI Bank account had been used to fund a
shell company's purchase of the so-called "Boracay mansion" in Quezon City
for one of Mr. Estrada's mistresses.
Introducing the evidence would prove Equitable PCI Bank "laundered money of
the President" and he therefore committed graft and corruption, Arroyo
said.
"If the President is doing that, he cannot stay (in office) any minute
(longer) because he is committing a continuing violation," he added.
The bank surrendered on Tuesday night records of the account and a
P142-million check issued by a certain "Jose Valhalla" or "Jose Velarde" to
Jose "Sel" Yulo, one of the President's friends and former housing adviser.
The signature on the check, according to prosecutors, resembled closely the
President's signature on peso bills.
Prosecutors also said Yulo was a mere front for St. Peter's Holdings that
acquired the P86-million prime lot and later made massive improvements on
the property.
The bank records have been placed in a sealed envelope and entrusted to
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. for safekeeping pending the court's
decision on their admissibility.
In his oral arguments, Arroyo said another bank, United Overseas Bank, also
cited the bank secrecy law in refusing to turn over its records.
The United Overseas Bank was allegedly used to launder part of a
P130-million tobacco tax kickback pocketed by the President.
UOB representatives turned over the documents subpoenaed by the prosecution
later Thursday.
Bank of Philippine Islands, in which Yulo reportedly kept an account, has
cooperated with prosecutors, according to Arroyo.
During oral arguments, former Chief Justice Andres Narvasa contended that
the bank records were not only "immaterial" but also "unfair and
prejudicial."
Narvasa, head of the defense panel, said prosecutors were fishing for
evidence against purported offenses not included in the Articles of
Impeachment.
Misamis Oriental Rep. Oscar Moreno, a House prosecutor, said the Equitable
PCI Bank records would open "a Pandora's box."
Moreno said the documents would prove that the President not only accepted
bribes but also committed graft and violated the Constitution. He said the
defense panel wanted to subordinate the constitutional principle on the
President's accountability to technical legal issues.
Mr. Estrada on Wednesday denied the signature on the P142-million check was
his.
But Arroyo said investigation by prosecution experts showed "it's really
the President's handwriting. "Prosecutors had also flown in an expert
from Britain's Scotland Yard to inspect the account's specimen signatures.
Inquirer, 12/15/2000
ROW OVER PRIVATE COUNSEL DELAYS CHAVIT TESTIMONY: A legal opinion from the
chief legal counsel of the House of Representatives threatened to delay
last night's resumption of the direct examination of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis
"Chavit" Singson.
Earlier yesterday, Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella transmitted Leonardo Palicte
III's opinion to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
In his cover letter to Pimentel, the Speaker said the House had "not
authorized the appointment of private prosecutors" in President Estrada's
trial.
Palicte's legal opinion was in reaction to the prosecution panel's decision
to allow private lawyer Simeon Marcelo to handle the direct examination of
the prosecution's star witness on Wednesday.
That decision triggered protests from the defense panel as well as
arguments from the senator-judges that, in turn, caused a 49-minute delay
in Singson's testimony.
Another delay appeared to be in the works last night when defense counsel
Estelito Mendoza raised Palicte's opinion immediately after Chief Justice
Hilario Davide Jr. ordered the resumption of Singson's testimony.
But the presiding officer swiftly noted that the legal opinion was "merely"
that of "a House counsel," and ruled that private prosecutors would be
allowed to question witnesses subject to the defense's "continuing
objection."
Singson was called at 6 p.m. But because of Mendoza's raising of Palicte's
opinion and subsequent arguments presented by Rep. and Prosecutor Joker
Arroyo and by some senator-judges, his questioning was resumed only about
25 minutes later.
In his letter to Pimentel, Fuentebella said the House had authorized only
11 members to represent the chamber as the "sole prosecutor" in the
impeachment court.
In his memorandum to Fuentebella, Palicte said "public policy will be
breached" if the 11-member prosecution panel was allowed to hire or appoint
private counsel.
An incensed Leyte Rep. and Prosecutor Sergio Apostol quickly dismissed
Palicte's opinion as "definitely not binding."
Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte, prosecution panel manager, said
raising questions on the use of private lawyers was an "insidious defense
tactic aimed at, once again, delaying the truth from coming out."
Arguing last night, Arroyo said Palicte's opinion "is just an opinion" and
"has no effect on us." Inquirer, 12/15/2000
PALACE PREPARING FOR ESTRADA ACQUITTAL: The impeachment trial of President
Estrada may only be on its sixth day, but the President's men are already
preparing for his acquittal.
Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said this yesterday as he revealed a
"post-acquittal" scenario wherein the President would implement sweeping
reforms in his administration.
Zamora maintained that the reforms have started with the President himself.
The worst crisis to hit the administration has made the Chief Executive
come to work early, see less and less of his so-called midnight Cabinet,
and be a "hands-on manager" even on economic matters, Zamora said.
Zamora noted that should the President be acquitted, it would give way to a
"new beginning" for the Estrada administration.
Zamora said the President has not taken the impeachment trial sitting down.
In fact, he said, the President has began implementing a number of reforms
in his administration, starting with the policy on state-run gambling
operations.
The executive secretary also said that the impeachment trial has greatly
changed the President's management style. "He's now a hands-on manager," he
said, referring to the President's serious handling of his Economic
Coordinating Council, which meets with him every week.
According also to Zamora, the President is now seeing less and less of his
"buddies" or members of his so-called "midnight Cabinet" who, in the past,
usually join him till the wee hours of the morning in drinking sessions.
Zamora revealed that the President now even beats him in coming to office.
Before the impeachment controversy, he said he was the first man to report
for work at Malacanang Palace every morning.
This early, opposition leaders are issuing warnings that protest rallies
would worsen should senators, who are serving as jurors in the impeachment
trial, acquit the President.
Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said yesterday he will resign from the
Cabinet to run for San Juan congressman.
Zamora told reporters he would like to become the next House speaker, but
that he has yet to discuss the matter with the President.
Seven Cabinet secretaries will reportedly resign next month to prepare
for various positions in next May's congressional and local elections.
They include Press Secretary Ricardo Puno Jr., Interior and Local
Government Secretary Alfredo Lim. Metro Manila Development Authority
Chairman Jejomar Binay is also expected to resign.
Puno will reportedly run for senator; Lim for mayor of Manila; and Binay
for mayor of Makati City. On another front, Defense Secretary Orlando
Mercado said yesterday the Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP) could still
come up with a "credible" and "very strong" line-up for next year's
elections whatever the outcome of President Estrada's impeachment trial.
Mercado said his decision to run for the Senate will depend on the "advice"
of President Estrada, and that he will remain in the Cabinet if that is the
wish of the Chief Executive.
LAMP is comprised of President Estrada's political party Partido ng Masang
Pilipino (PMP), Angara's Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), and the
National People's Coalition (NPC) of Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco. Phil.
Star, 12/15/2000
FEARS OF ESTRADA ACQUITTAL WEAKENS PESO: A possible acquittal of President
Estrada at the end of the ongoing Senate impeachment trial triggered fresh
concerns yesterday among local banks which opted to gobble up dollars and
to take a long position on their foreign exchange holdings.
This resulted in a weakening of the peso, which again breached the
50-to-the-dollar level to close at 50.085 to $1.
At the Philippine Dealing System, the peso hit a low of 50.150 during
intraday trading before recovering at the end of the session. The local
currency closed 11 centavos lower from Wednesday's close of 49.975 to the
dollar.
The peso opened at 49.950 to end at a weighted average rate of 50.071 to
the dollar. Total volume traded amounted to $114.10 million.
Foreign exchange dealers said the market is sensing that the impeachment
trial of President Estrada may result in an acquittal as the prosecution
panel appears to be performing poorly.
Analysts said the peso has not really gained ground against the dollar
despite the heavy inflow of dollars from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)
and returning Filipinos abroad.
Since the start of the impeachment trial, the peso has hovered at around
49.850 to the dollar.
Even at its temporary high, the peso did not manage to appreciate back to
the 48-to-the-dollar level, traders said. Dealers said the BSP did not
intervene at the foreign exchange market yesterday. Phil. Star, 12/15/2000
3 SCENARIOS PRESENTED IN CASE OF ERAP OUSTER: The military may take one of
three possible steps in the event that President Estrada is removed from
office, former Defense Secretary Fortunato Abat said yesterday.
Speaking at a forum organized in Camp Aguinaldo by the Association of
General and Flag Officers (Agfo), Abat said the military could:
Install the constitutional successor, Vice President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo;
"Install a group of men and women with probity, integrity, commitment to
country, and highest degree of competence, together with a set of policies
that must be followed by the new set of officials;"
Establish a "revolutionary government, like what Corazon Aquino did in
1986, manned primarily by civilian personalities who must be clean,
competent, credible . . . the best and the brightest in our land."
After it has completed its task, Abat said, "the military returns to
barracks."
The former Army commander said the military had two models to choose from
should it decide to intervene in the political crisis gripping the nation.
He said these were the Indonesian formula, wherein the AFP would "directly"
tell Mr. Estrada to resign, as then Indonesian military chief General
Wiranto did to President Suharto in 1998; and the 1986 revolt model,
wherein the military would withdraw support from Mr. Estrada, "as what
happened at Edsa." Inquirer, 12/13/2
CORY LAUDS EMMA LIM; ALL LIES, SAYS ESTRADA: Former President Corazon
Aquino was so impressed with the composure of prosecution witness Emma Lim
when she testified during the trial that she wants to meet this unassuming
secretary of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.
But if Aquino only had praises for Lim, Mr. Estrada found her a
questionable witness who could not even get the furniture arrangement of
the President's Malacanang residence right.
Lim testified last Monday that she personally delivered P5 million in money
to Mr. Estrada's office in Malacanang. She was the first prosecution
witness to directly link President Estrada to jueteng payoffs.
But Mr. Estrada doubted whether Lim had even set foot in the Presidential
Residence.
Mr. Estrada denied receiving the P5 million and dismissed Lim's testimony
as "lies."
The President also pointed out that Lim had the furniture arrangement in
his Malacanang residence wrong.
Lim had testified that the furniture in the Presidential Residence was to
one's left when entering the front door.
When reporters asked whether Lim's claims against his son San Juan Mayor
Jinggoy Estrada were true, the President snapped: "Let Jinggoy prove it,
I'm not Jinggoy."
In her testimony last Friday, Lim claimed receiving jueteng money from
Jinggoy and that he even issued a personal check to her.
In Davao City, Lim drew admiration from anti-Estrada forces that
congratulated her for "escaping unscathed" the defense lawyer's intense
questioning.
As expected, Malacanang officials also shot down Lim's testimony.
Press Secretary Ricardo Puno Jr. noted that Lim did not have any "direct
evidence" showing that she indeed gave the P5 million to the President.
Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora also mouthed defense counsel Estelito
Mendoza's claim that the United Overseas Bank Philippines where Jinggoy was
supposed to have maintained an account had already certified that the
President's son has no account with them.
In a bid to discredit Lim, the President's lawyers plan to summon an
official of the United Overseas Bank Philippines who earlier issued a
certification that Jinggoy did not have a current or checking account with
the bank.
Defense panel member Raul Daza said they will likely summon UOBP executive
vice president Isabelita M. Papa to acknowledge personally the
certification she issued last Dec. 11 that Jinggoy, whose real name is Jose
P. Ejercito, "never had a current or checking account" with the bank.
Inquirer, 12/13/2000
`LACK OF INVESTORS WORRIES METRO FOLK': People in Metro Manila appeared to
be most concerned about the foundering economy followed by the juetengate
charges facing President Estrada.
In particular, Metro Manila residents are more worried that the economic
growth is slowing down because investors have no confidence in the
President, according to results of the latest tracking survey by Pulse Asia
called Project JEST.
The survey, commissioned by The STAR, was conducted between Nov. 17 and
Dec. 10. In that poll, the respondents were asked which two issues troubled
them most.
About 32 percent said the investors' lack of confidence in the Chief
Executive worries them most.
Economic Planning Secretary Felipe Medalla had predicted that if the
political uncertainty stretches beyond June 2001, the growth of the
country's gross domestic product could fall to two percent and inflation
rise to as high as eight percent, with benchmark 91-day Treasury bill
interest rates ranging from 16 to 18 percent.
Another issue over which Metro Manila resident expressed concern is whether
Mr. Estrada received jueteng money.
About 30 percent said they were worried over this issue. Twelve days
earlier, 45 percent of those polled were concerned over reports that Mr.
Estrada received payola money.
The third issue that concerns most Metro Manila residents is their
perception that Mr. Estrada "is not being given justice because they
already judged him to be guilty when the charges against him have not yet
been proven to be true." Twenty nine percent of those polled gave this
remark.
Meanwhile, 22 percent said "most of the Chief Executive's friends and
regular companions are supposedly 'cronies' ... who cannot be trusted."
Another concern raised by those polled is Mr. Estrada's supposed immorality
and his having many families. Eighteen percent agreed to this problem.
The same number of respondents said the President "is supposedly engaged in
graft and corruption with public funds" and that "he has lost the capacity
to govern the country."
Ten percent said his style and work habits do not befit that of a
president. Phil. Star, 12/12/2000
US EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER COUP RUMORS: Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado
said last Wednesday the US government is concerned about talk that the
military would launch a coup against President Estrada amid the impeachment
trial that started yesterday.
Earlier, Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accused Philippine National
Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson of planning to overthrow
the government and install himself as president.
Mercado told reporters at a diplomatic function that US Embassy charge d'
affaires Michael Malinowski asked him about the statement of some retired
military officers urging active members of the Armed Forces to take action
and force the President to resign.
Mercado said he told Malinowski that he has "always been telling the
soldiers not to allow the opposition to use them since we will also not use
them to stay in power."
Mercado said Malinowski was grateful for his assurance that the Department
of National Defense would not allow the military to be embroiled in
politics.
However, Mercado refused to say whether or not he and Malinowski discussed
Lacson's controversial trip to the US last week, which prompted Arroyo to
announce that the PNP chief was seeking American help to overthrow
President Estrada.
Lacson returned home early yesterday morning.
Mercado also told reporters he is ready to fight former Armed Forces chief
retired Gen. Lisandro Abadia to keep the military from breaking up into
factions.
A highly placed source said yesterday Abadia has been doing the rounds of
military camps to urge soldiers to join moves to force Mr. Estrada to
resign.
However, Mercado said the officers and men of the Armed Forces do not trust
Abadia because of his involvement in alleged malversation of soldiers'
retirement funds.
Earlier, former defense secretary and Army commander retired Lt. Gen.
Fortunato Abat called on active members of the Armed Forces to take action
and persuade the President to step down.
On the other hand, Mercado said yesterday the Armed Forces is on alert for
possible terrorist attacks by the New People's Army (NPA).
Mercado said in a telephone interview the NPA may take advantage of the
present situation following the start of President Estrada's impeachment
trial, and in preparation for the 32nd anniversary celebration of the
Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Mercado said all military and police units will be on "defensive posture"
and would not hesitate to go after any armed group committing criminal
acts. Phil. Star, 12/08/2000
PULSE ASIA HEAD ADMITS AVENTAJADO PAID P620,000 FOR IMPEACH SURVEY: Prof.
Felipe Miranda admitted yesterday that a presidential adviser paid his
polling firm Pulse Asia P620,000 to conduct a controversial opinion survey
of Metro Manilans that showed President Estrada's public acceptance rating
going up amid his impeachment trial.
But Miranda, chief of Pulse Asia, said he did not know if government money
was used to pay his firm for the survey.
He said Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects Robert
Aventajado told him a pro-Estrada group commissioned the survey. He also
said Aventajado paid him with a check for the Palace-commissioned survey
last Dec. 4.
Miranda gave assurance that although the Estrada camp bankrolled the
survey, the results were not manipulated to please the financier.
As this developed, Mr. Estrada twitted his detractors who doubted the
results of another Pulse Asia poll research commissioned by the Philippine
Star showing improvement in his public acceptance rating even as the
impeachment trial began.
The STAR survey indicated that seven out of ten Metro Manilans are against
the continuing protest rallies and demonstrations demanding the
presidential resignation.
The respondents preferred the impeachment process as a constitutional mode
of ousting the President.
Miranda also clarified that Pulse Asia conducts a quarterly opinion poll on
government performance at the behest of the budget department.
Miranda disclosed that Aventajado even requested him to conduct a briefing
on the survey at Malacanang on Dec. 6, the eve of the impeachment trial.
Miranda asserted that Pulse Asia had nothing to do with the timing in the
release of the survey results, adding it was the prerogative of the
sponsors. Phil. Star, 12/10/2000
GMA WARNS OF NEW POLITICAL REPRESSSION: CLARK FIELD, Pampanga The
harassment of people supporting the move for President Estrada's
resignation was the start of a "new chapter of political repression," Vice
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo warned here yesterday.
At the same time, the Vice-President decried what she said were lies and
disinformation being peddled against members of the political opposition.
"It seems we are again in another phase of political repression," said
Arroyo, who was a guest of the Korea-Philippines millennium conference held
here last Friday.
She cited the case of her chief of staff Renato Corona and the missing
publicist Salvador "Bubby" Dacer.
Last month, armed men attempted to search Corona's home on the pretext that
a background check had to be conducted in connection with his nomination to
a government post. Dacer, on the other hand, was abducted along with his
driver by still unidentified men, one of whom was allegedly wearing a
policeman's uniform, last Nov. 24.
She also expressed fears for the safety of witnesses now testifying in the
impeachment trial of the President.
Arroyo also vowed to continue consolidating the anti-Estrada forces despite
the black propaganda being waged against them. The other day, Rep. Roilo
Golez accused Philippine National Police chief Director General Panfilo
Lacson of doing a hatchet job on the Vice President in the US.
Golez claimed his friends in the US Congress told him Lacson raised
concerns about Arroyo's connections with the communist movement as well as
the business activities in San Francisco, California of her husband.
Earlier, black propaganda Christmas cards had also been distributed. Phil.
Star, 12/10/2000
PEOPLE'S TRIAL' OPENS; ERAP FACES NINE RAPS: Mock trial lawyers might be
able to do a better job of convicting President Estrada in his impeachment
trial than the congressmen who are prosecuting the case.
Organizers of the four-day "People's Trial" of the President, which began
yesterday, said their lawyers could perform better than the real
prosecutors who, they said, have thus far disappointed their clients, the
Filipino people.
Ma. Socorro Diokno, secretary general of the Free Legal Assistance Group,
said the 11 members of the House prosecution panel should be humble enough
to admit their "limitations and weaknesses."
About 300 people attended the opening of the People's Trial, organized by
religious and human rights groups, at the Miriam College auditorium in
Quezon City. It was timed with the celebration of International Human
Rights Day.
Touted as a "parallel activity" to the impeachment trial, the mock court,
complete with prosecutors, jurors and defense counsels (who expectedly did
not show up yesterday), will hear nine charges that were not included in
the four Articles of Impeachment filed in Congress against the President.
The new charges against Mr. Estrada are:
Plunging the people into deeper poverty because of mass layoffs in the
labor and peasant sectors.
Causing deaths and sufferings in Mindanao with his "all-out war policy"
against Moro rebels.
Depriving the people of basic social services.
Reviving cronyism and patronage politics.
Submitting to foreign capitalists through "indiscriminate trade
liberalization."
Bowing to the "neo-liberal economic model" espoused by the International
Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Legitimizing a double standard, sexual exploitation and the further
degradation of women.
Accelerating the commercial exploitation of the environment.
Violating indigenous people's rights over ancestral domains.
Today, the People's Trial will be continued at the Senate grounds in Pasay
City. Anti-Estrada groups will also hold today, and every day until the
end of Mr. Estrada's trial, a "Jericho March" around the Senate grounds at
4:30 p.m.
This time, the marchers are hoping that police do not block their way like
what happened during the opening of the impeachment trial last week.
The marchers will come from the Dec. 7th Organizing Committee, the Kongreso
ng Mamamayang Pilipino II, Bigkis Pinoy, the Labor Solidarity Movement and
the Kangkong Brigade.
The march will coincide with a daily vigil in tents behind the "Tanglaw ng
Katotohanan" (Torch of Truth) at the Senate grounds.
During the vigil, protesters will write letters to the senator-judges to be
delivered personally by "karteros ng bayan" (people's mail carriers).
Inquirer, 12/11/2000
ESTRADA WOOS CHURCH, LEFT: COMMUTES ALL DEATH SEMTENCES TO LIFE, FREES ALL
POLITICAL PRISONERS: BACOLOD CITY In a surprise move, President Estrada
announced yesterday he would commute to life imprisonment the court-
affirmed sentences of all death convicts and release some 35 communist
rebels and 200 political detainees before Christmas.
"I will order tomorrow (Monday) all those sentenced to death commuted to
life imprisonment on the occasion of the Jubilee year," the President said
after attending a "Mass for Enlightenment, Reconciliation and Peace" at the
St. Jude Thaddeus Church here.
Mr. Estrada was responding to a homily by Bacolod Bishop Emeritus Antonio
Fortich, who appealed to the President to issue a decree freeing all
political prisoners as a Christmas gift.
The President said 35 communist rebels, jailed for various criminal
offenses, will likewise be released as part of a peace agreement signed
earlier in the day with a communist breakaway group.
These include Jose Winnie Bargamento, Joaquin Esparez, Armando Occeρa,
Ronnie Rotuni and Saez Villaespin, who are to be released within 24 hours.
Mr. Estrada said two rebels Romeo Medalla and Federico Lulan were
released earlier.
However, officials traveling with the President were apparently caught off
guard and could not give more details on the announcement on the
commutation of death convictions.
There are currently more than 1,300 convicts on death row at the National
Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City. Many of their cases still have to be
affirmed by the Supreme Court (SC), which under the law automatically
reviews each case.
The decision effectively commuted the death sentences of at least 18
prisoners scheduled to be executed this year to life in prison because
authorities will not be able to execute them within a prescribed six-month
period.
Mr. Estrada had previously backed the death sentence, saying he wants
executions to serve as a warning to would-be criminals, especially
potential rapists and drug traffickers. Phil. Star, 12/11/2000
TRIAL OFF TO QUICK START: `ESTRADA'S SECRET ACCOUNT MAINTAINED MISTRESSES':
The impeachment trial of President Estrada took off to a quick start
yesterday with the 11-member prosecution panel of the House of
Representatives accusing the Chief Executive of keeping a secret bank
account under a false name.
The prosecutors said Mr. Estrada used the secret account to hide his
ownership of mansions owned by his mistresses. While Rep. Joker Arroyo, one
of the prosecutors of the trial, presented the evidence, Press Secretary
Ricardo Puno Jr. said Mr. Estrada was obviously hurting as he watched the
proceedings on television.
Arroyo showed senators a check for P142 million, which carried the
signature of "Jose Valhalla." He said it was similar to the signature of
the President as shown on peso bills.
Jose Valhalla's check was channeled to the bank account of Mr. Estrada's
close associate Jose Yulo who, in turn, funded St. Peter's Holdings, a
corporation which acquired an P86-million property on Oct. 1, 1999, on
which was built a luxurious mansion that allegedly housed one of Mr.
Estrada's mistresses.
"It follows that President Estrada provided the funds as the real and
beneficial owner of St. Peter's Holdings to buy (the mansion)," Arroyo
said.
Arroyo said this was among the pieces of evidence they would present to
show that Mr. Estrada violated the law, making it necessary to unseat him.
Before Arroyo presented the case, Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., the
prosecution manager, asked the senator-judges that Mr. Estrada "be removed
from the presidency at once for the sake of the country and for the sake of
the people."
Speaking alternately in English and Filipino, Belmonte read out Mr.
Estrada's oath of office in 1998 in which he pledged to serve the country,
execute its laws, and consecrate himself to the service of the nation.
Arroyo said that "except for his name, he (Mr. Estrada) violated every
word" of his oath of office.
He alleged that Mr. Estrada had "systematically diverted the people's money
to himself and his family" by embezzling about P130 million in tobacco
excise taxes.
Rep. Sergio Apostol, another member of the prosecution panel, called Mr.
Estrada "the lord of all gambling lords" and said the prosecution team
would demonstrate how a "criminal syndicate directed by the highest office
of the land" now "threatens to rule us."
Defense lawyer Estelito Mendoza, meanwhile, insisted that the prosecutors
don't have sufficient evidence to convict Mr. Estrada and remove him from
office. He also took to task Rep. Wigberto Tanada, another member of the
prosecution panel, for stating that the guilt of the President need not be
proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Tanada cited the journals of the Constitutional Commission on the
impeachment provision to buttress his argument that in a political trial
like impeachment, evidence need not be beyond reasonable doubt.
Mendoza said that if the prosecution is certain of having a strong case,
they should say they could prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.
The former solicitor general then accused the prosecutors of confusing
things with undue emphasis on mistresses and mansions.
As lawyers stated their cases, some senators appeared to pay scant
attention, with one reading a book and another talking on a mobile phone.
Phil. Star, 12/08/2000
SENATE STILL UNDECIDED ON TRIAL VOTING RULES: The historic impeachment
trial of President Estrada started yesterday with the Senate still
undecided on the basis of the two-thirds vote needed in the chamber to oust
him whether it is the 24 stated in the Constitution or the actual 22
members of the Senate.
Senators Raul Roco and Renato Cayetano have been very vehement in arguing
that it should be 22, with the death of Sen. Marcelo Fernan in July 1999
and the election of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as vice president in 1998.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. agreed that it might be very
difficult to argue for 24 as the basis of the two-thirds vote. He noted,
however, that there might be added debates with the continued absence of
Sen. Robert Barbers who is in the United States, bringing the number of
senators down to 21.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, a son of the senator, said that
his father is tentatively set to arrive on Dec. 20. He said that his father
underwent a tonsil operation.
He added, however, that the real problem is with the health of his mother,
who is afflicted with cancer.
If Barbers will arrive on Dec. 20, then the first case would have been
finished by then. The impeachment court, in consultation with the lawyers
of Mr. Estrada and the prosecution, have agreed to limit the hearing of the
bribery case to only 10 days, or before Dec. 20.
Pimentel said that Barbers could base his decision on the documents
presented before the impeachment court during his absence. He added that
Barbers could no longer seek the recall of any witness for clarification.
He stressed that Barbers could even decide not to vote on the case heard
during his absence. Phil. Star, 12/08/2000
PESO CONTINUES TO DECLINE AGAINST DOLLAR: The peso continued to depreciate
yesterday, closing at 50.210 to the dollar, as the first day of President
Estrada's impeachment trial in the Senate cast a pall of uncertainty over
the foreign exchange market.
At yesterday's trading at the Philippine Dealing System (PDS), the peso
weakened by another 16 centavos from Wednesday's close of 50.050 to $1. The
peso hit a low of 50.450 during intraday trading, but managed to recover to
50.210 to $1 at the end of trading.
"The weakness of the peso could be attributed to the uncertainty over the
impeachment trial of President Estrada," Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
Governor Rafael B. Buenaventura said.
Buenaventura, however, remained optimistic that the renewed weakness of the
peso is temporary and that the local currency would stabilize back to the
49 to $1 level once the impeachment trial ends.
The peso had appreciated to the 49 level a few days ago as dollar
remittances from overseas Filipino workers started coming into the banking
system.
With fresh inflows, the country's gross international reserves rose to
$14.496 billion as of end-November from $14.412 billion in October.
While Buenaventura refused to comment on how the peso would behave in the
coming days, he said that the recent forex projection of the Development
Budget Coordinating Committee (DBCC) is realistic.
The DBCC's worst case scenario for the peso next year is that it would hit
51 to $1 while the best case scenario is for a 47 to $1 exchange rate.
Phil. Star, 12/08/2000
COPS BLOCK `JERICHO' MARCH ON PIMENTELS ORDER: Participants of the "Jericho
March," numbering 80,000 strong, could have gotten their dramatic message
across had they not been blocked by police barricades on orders of Senate
President Aquilino Pimentel.
The barricades had been installed at the Manila Film Center close to a
kilometer away from the Senate. The marchers, led by former President
Corazon Aquino and Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, were forced to
march to the Senate in batches of 500.
"What a pity. We only wanted the senators to realize that thousands of
people came. We hoped they would allow everyone to come here so we can show
them how many of us are here praying for them," Aquino said, adding:
But Macapagal said what happened was "good enough." Despite their failure
to march around the Senate, she said, they were able to relay the message
that the majority of Filipinos wanted the truth to come out.
March negotiators led by former Defense Secretary Renato de Villa, Fr.
Robert Reyes, Rep. Roilo Golez and Laguna Gov. Joey Lina complained that
police had belatedly tried to change the agreement that they would be
allowed to march around the Senate building.
They said the agreement was reached in three days of negotiations with
authorities.
The marchers were allowed to go past four police barricades after "tense
negotiations."
They thus failed to implement their plan to form a chain of 25 people
marching abreast and surround the Senate building.
Earlier in the day, Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin called on the
President to testify at the trial.
Bearing the "torch of truth," the Jericho marchers--belonging to the
Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kompil) II, Makati Business Club, Trade
Union Congress of the Philippines, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Bagong Alyansang
Makabayan and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines--were made to
march 10 abreast so they would occupy only one lane of the street leading
to the Senate.
They were allowed only up to the front of the Senate grounds. Then they
made a U-turn, exiting through the parking lot, to allow another batch to
come in.
Tension arose when police allowed pro-Estrada demonstrators numbering about
10,000 into the Senate grounds even before the last of the Jericho marchers
came up to the space fronting the Senate, Reyes said.
Chief Supt. Edgardo Aglipay, director of the National Capital Region Police
Office, said Pimentel had issued an order to clear the grounds,
specifically the space directly in front of the Senate, to make way for
whatever "untoward incident" that might occur inside the building.
At around 2:45 p.m., the second batch of marchers were allowed to follow
the first at the side of the Senate.
As if on cue, the pro-Estrada demonstrators claimed that they were being
set aside in favor of the rich when the two batches, or about 1,000
marchers, led by Aquino and Macapagal were allowed in.
When negotiations were almost over and Senate Secretary General Lutgardo
Barbo allowed the marchers to hold a few minutes of prayer in front of the
Senate, tension arose again when Senators Franklin Drilon and Teofisto
Guingona went outside the building to join the marchers.
Pangasinan Rep. Hernani Braganza also joined the marchers.
For five minutes, the Jericho marchers held a noise barrage and blew on
rams' horns. They also recited special petitions for the senators to "see
the truth."
Heated negotiations then ensued when Lina insisted that the marchers be
allowed to go around the Senate and exit at the back.
Police blocked their way and directed them to the parking lot.
But around 5 p.m., even before the last of the batches of the Jericho
marchers were allowed in front of the Senate, the police let in the rest of
the pro-Estrada group.
This group occupied the Senate grounds, making the last of the 5,000
marchers belonging to Bayan and KMU wait up to 7 p.m. at the Film Center.
The Bayan-KMU delegation decided to proceed to the Penguin Cafe in Malate,
where an anti-Estrada concert will be held.
Most of the marchers stayed at the adjacent lot of the El Shaddai grounds
to hold a vigil. A Mass is to be celebrated at dawn today. Inquirer,
12/08/2000
EX-PNP CHIEF FIRST WITNESS VS. PRESIDENT: Retired Deputy Director General
Roberto Lastimoso, a former Philippine National Police chief, went down in
history as the first witness to be called in President Estrada's trial.
While not a few expected an explosive testimony from the former PNP chief,
the prosecutors surprised even the judges when they only relied on two
affidavits previously submitted by Lastimoso to the Senate blue ribbon
committee, which earlier investigated Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit"
Singson's allegations.
Prosecutor Roan Libarios handled the direct examination for the
prosecution.
"(Lastimoso) should have been made to narrate (the details of the two
affidavits)," said Senator-Judge Raul Roco.
The prosecution committed a minor blunder when Libarios proceeded to
conduct a direct examination on Lastimoso based on the affidavits but
failed to furnish the senators copies of these.
Lastimoso's first affidavit told of how, in late 1998, the President
summoned him to the Malacanang Guest House.
It was there that he met Singson. The President told Lastimoso "Help him.
He will handle jueteng in Luzon. Coordinate with each other."
The other document the prosecution submitted to the impeachment court was a
supplemental affidavit wherein Lastimoso corrected himself on a remark he
made in a press conference in October.
He said he merely corrected his remark that the President had told him to
"go easy" on jueteng.
"My interpretation was to 'go easy' on jueteng because the President had
instructed me to help Singson. But he did not categorically and
specifically order me to do so," Lastimoso said.
On cross-examination by defense counsel Siegfried Fortun, Lastimoso was
presented with a copy of a memorandum dated July 31, 1998 which discussed
the "continuing conduct of illegal gambling, particularly jueteng,"
nationwide.
In that memo, Lastimoso had purportedly given an "ultimatum" to all PNP
personnel and officials to "stop jueteng."
But Libarios objected to the proposal that the memo be accepted as
evidence, saying that the copy presented by Fortun was merely a photocopy
and not even a certified true copy.
As a result, Lastimoso was excused and his testimony deferred until the
defense panel could produce either the original copy or a certified true
copy of the memo.
The President's alleged auditor, Yolanda Ricaforte, was also sworn in as
witness later in the night. She submitted the original copy of the ledger,
or "list," as she called it, which purportedly listed the jueteng payoffs
made.
She will take the stand today when the trial resumes at 2 p.m.
Earlier, Prosecutor Sergio Apostol said the prosecution team would present
witnesses other than Singson.
Apostol said other witnesses were willing to testify against the President
but he refused to reveal his witnesses' names for their own safety.
He said most of the witnesses voluntarily approached the 11-member House
prosecution panel tasked with proving Mr. Estrada's guilt. Inquirer,
12/08/2000
CNN POLL SEES ERAP CONVICTION: A new poll posted yesterday morning by
CNN.com showed that many believe that the impeachment trial will result in
President Estrada's ouster.
The poll, which is still ongoing, showed that as of 6 o'clock last night 75
percent of 558 participants in the survey believe that the trial will lead
to Mr. Estrada's removal from office.
CNN.com stresses that the poll is not scientific and reflects the opinions
of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The results
cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general,
nor the public as a whole. Inquirer, 12/08/2000
ESTRADA LAWYERS: LIMIT TRIAL TO STRONGEST CASE: Pres. Estrada's lawyers
floated a proposal yesterday to speed up his corruption trial by limiting
the scope of the case to only one of the four articles of impeachment laid
by Congress.
Mr. Estrada risks being unseated at the trial beginning Thursday in the
Senate, the first for an Asian leader. The House of Representatives
impeached him last Nov. 13 for bribery, corruption, betrayal of public
trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
Officials have fretted that a drawn-out trial could prolong the political
uncertainty and push the economy to the brink of recession.
"They should pick the strongest case. If he is convicted that's the end of
it. If he is acquitted the trial is also over," said Mr. Estrada's lawyer
former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza in a radio interview.
Mendoza said that if the House prosecutors agreed, "the trial would be over
before Christmas." He did not say if the President's legal team would
present a formal proposal to abridge the trial.
"If there's an agreement in that kind of procedure and the Senate approves
it, it could possibly be done," said Jose Flaminiano, a member of Mr.
Estrada's defense panel.
The STAR reported that one of the jurors, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, had
floated a similar proposal which he described as a "winner take all"
formula.
On the other hand, the 11-member prosecution panel said it will oppose
Enrile's proposal. "We are against it. We felt that it is our duty to our
people that we should inform them of all the facts about the charges
against the President," said Minority Leader Feliciano Belmonte Jr.,
manager of the prosecution.
Under the scheme, the prosecution and the defense would choose one article
of impeachment through a raffle, present their evidence and then let the
jurors decide on this specific charge.
If the President is acquitted, the other charges against him would not be
pursued. If he is convicted, he is of course automatically removed from
office.
In addition to the prosecutors, Belmonte said he was sure the complainants
in the impeachment case would not agree to Enrile's proposal.
Citing an example, Belmonte said the accusations that Mr. Estrada did not
properly divest his interests in the corporations he owned and did not
reflect all his assets in his statement of assets and liabilities "are
unspectacular but no less serious." Phil. Star, 12/05/2000
SENATE TRIAL HOUSE PROSECUTORS EYE ERAP MISTRESSES AGAIN: The 11-member
House prosecution panel yesterday revived its plan to call First Lady Dr.
Luisa "Loi" Ejercito Estrada and mistresses of President Estrada to the
witness stand in his impeachment trial.
Misamis Oriental Rep. Oscar Moreno said the President's defense lawyers had
left him and the other prosecutors no choice when they opposed their motion
to inspect Mr. Estrada's grand mansions.
Moreno said his team had wanted to take a look at Mr. Estrada's private
home in Greenhills, San Juan, the alleged houses of his three mistresses in
Metro Manila, and a luxurious log cabin in Tagaytay City.
But Mr. Estrada's lawyers opposed the prosecution motion, branding it a
publicity stunt.
Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., presiding officer of the impeachment
court, withheld authorization for prosecutors to photograph and videotape
the five houses. Davide said he would make a ruling on the motion in the
course of the testimony of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson and others
who would say in court they witnessed the delivery of jueteng payoffs to
the President in these addresses.
He said the First Lady would have to answer allegations before the Senate
impeachment court that she and the President had failed to declare all
their assets in tax returns.
Prosecutors earlier said the mistresses were needed to corroborate
allegations that Mr. Estrada received millions in "jueteng" payoffs at
homes he had given them. Moreno did not name the mistresses.
The President, a former action movie star who acknowledges children by at
least three ex-actresses, has pleaded with the public to leave his extended
family out of politics.
Mr. Estrada, however, has acknowledged having children by ex-actresses
Laarni Enriquez, Guia Gomez and Joy Melendrez. Mr. Estrada denied any
romantic link with Rowena Gomeri Lopez, a PAL flight stewardess. He
recently said he had given up extra-marital affairs as his work as
President had left him no spare time.
Davide has called members of the prosecution and defense panels to a
closed-door meeting at 2 p.m. today to agree on a timetable for the trial,
list of witnesses, their schedule of appearance, and other rules.
The trial starts Thursday when the prosecution and defense panels will be
given two hours each to make their opening statements.
Three witnesses are scheduled to take the witness stand, most probably on
Friday. They are alleged jueteng auditor Yolanda Ricaforte, former police
chief Roberto Lastimoso and presidential assistant Anton Prieto.
Singson has linked the three witnesses to the jueteng payoffs.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said he was still expecting the
trial, which he had described as a nightmare, to be over within the month.
He said there would be holiday breaks on Dec. 22 and 29. As agreed upon,
the impeachment court will hold sessions from Monday to Friday.
Pimentel opposed the defense panel's "winner take-all" proposal to speed up
the trial. Under the proposal, the President would be tried only on one
charge the prosecution would choose. If he is acquitted on this particular
charge, however, he gets acquitted on all the charges. Inquirer, 12/06/2000
POLICE TO STOP `JERICHO MARCH': It looks like participants of tomorrow's
"Jericho March"--including Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former
Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, and Church and sectoral
leaders--will meet up with resistance.
Senior Supt. Manuel Cabigon, director of the Southern Police District
(SPD), said yesterday that law enforcers would not allow the planned march
around the Senate building to push through.
Instead, he said, portions of the PNB road leading to the Senate building
would be reserved for pro- and anti-Estrada demonstrators--the area used by
the El Shaddai every Sunday for the former, and the area near the Film
Center for the latter.
The Jericho March was planned by the Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino
(Kompil) II, United Opposition, Bigkis Pinoy, Kangkong Brigade and National
Secretariat for Social Action of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines in time for the start of President Estrada's trial at the
Senate.
According to the organizing committee, "250,000 marchers in groups of
20,000 will walk in cadence 25 abreast around the Senate" starting at 1:30
p.m.
The march draws parallelisms from the biblical story of Joshua and the
Israelites who surrounded the city of Jericho and screamed in unison until
its walls crumbled.
Organizers earlier said the activity would be conducted, not for the Senate
walls to fall, but for truth to fall on the senator-jurors.
Cabigon said that as a concession, police would allow 500 demonstrators
each from the pros and antis into the area in front of the Senate.
Demonstrators are expected to converge starting at 7 a.m. tomorrow at the
Plaza Rajah Sulayman in front of the Malate Church.
Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin will celebrate Mass at the square at
10 a.m., during which he will bless a "flame of truth" to be later
enshrined at a planned site before the start of the Jericho March.
Believing they are "the strongest and bravest" among the sectors advocating
the President's resignation or impeachment, youth and student groups said
they would field around 10,000 from their ranks to the mass actions
tomorrow.
In a press conference yesterday at the De La Salle University, leaders of
the Akbayan-Youth, Kompil II-Youth and Youthwatch coalitions invited their
members and other youths and students to stay after the Jericho March and
join a "text party." Inquirer, 12/06/2000
GMA: LACSON IN US TO SEEK SUPPORT FOR POSSIBLE TAKEOVER: Vice President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo claimed yesterday that Philippine National Police
(PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson flew recently to the United
States to seek Washington's support for a possible takeover of the
government.
A source based in Washington also alleged that Lacson was planning to mount
a coup in case President Estrada is acquitted of corruption charges, and
against Arroyo in case she assumes the presidency.
Citing intelligence reports, Arroyo said Lacson purposely went to the US to
consult and seek its nod for his own "succession plan."
She said the intelligence reports indicated that Lacson and colleagues were
actually seeking US support for themselves, not for the Estrada
administration.
She added that another purpose of Lacson's US trip was to persuade
suspected gambling lord Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda to testify against her.
Arroyo, constitutional successor to Mr. Estrada, has been accused by her
detractors of having received gambling payoffs from Pineda. However, she
has vehemently denied the allegations, adding she knew him only through his
wife, the incumbent mayor of her hometown of Lubao in Pampanga.
The Washington-based source, who was reportedly privy to Lacson's 90-minute
meeting with Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher and congressional
adviser Al Santoli, said Lacson has claimed his popularity rating was
higher than those of Mr. Estrada and Arroyo.
The source said Lacson, who made the rounds of Washington courtesy of
lawyer Steven Karalexas, has been telling American officials that Arroyo
"is not the solution" to the political and economic crisis in the
Philippines.
Lacson also said acquittal for the President in the impeachment trial was
very likely.
The PNP chief reportedly asked permission from Mr. Estrada to go to the US
to attend a seminar on anti-terrorism.
The source said Lacson, who was accompanied in the US trip by Gen.
Marcelino Malajacan, senior assistant to Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado,
Chief Superintendent Francisco Zubia and Senior Superintendent Michael Ray
Aquino, made no efforts to defend Mr. Estrada or Arroyo.
Lacson also allegedly told the US officials that alternative plans were
afoot to replace Mr. Estrada, but insisted that Arroyo is not the solution
because of her communist dalliance.
The source also revealed that newly installed Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella
will be the next Philippine official to go to the US.
Meanwhile, sources at the Department of Foreign Affairs said Lacson went on
a personal mission to the US, but refused to coordinate his activities in
Washington with the Philippine Embassy there.
Lacson reportedly met with US Assistant Defense Secretary Franklin Kramer,
although details of the meeting were not immediately known.
The DFA sources said Lacson failed to get an appointment with State
Department officials. Phil. Star, 12/06/2000
`SOLDIERS IN PROTEST MOVE TO FACE COURT MARTIAL': Soldiers going on
unauthorized leave to join protests against impeached President Estrada
will be court-martialled, National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre
warned yesterday.
He warned troops against heeding the reported calls of several retired
generals to withdraw their support from Mr. Estrada, who goes on trial in
the Senate tomorrow for alleged corruption.
A newspaper quoted a group of retired generals as calling for the military
to withdraw their support from the President, without resorting to a coup.
These retired officers include Fortunato Abat, the former commanding
general of the Army, former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte and
former military affairs adviser Gen. Ramon Montano.
Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, however, described the reports as
"propaganda," saying no group from the Armed Forces had asked to go on
leave.
AFP chief Gen. Angelo Reyes added that whatever concerns individual
soldiers might have were already being addressed through constitutional
means.
Reyes also said that Abat's justification for a military intervention "is a
serious matter that should not be trifled with or entertained by those in
the active service."
Aguirre said that Abat's assertion that a military intervention is within
the bounds of the Constitution is wrong. Phil. Star, 12/06/2000
FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN CALL FOR ESTRADA'S RESIGNATION: The foreign business
community has joined the clamor for President Estrada's resignation,
further broadening the ranks of the opposition from the grassroots to the
elite class.
A top official of a foreign business chamber, who asked not to be
identified, said a recent survey of multinational companies operating in
the Philippines showed a "strong majority" of respondents were inclined to
believe that the President is guilty of the charges lodged against him in
the precedent-setting impeachment trial at the Senate.
The foreign executive did not cite actual survey results but indicated the
proportion of those who felt Estrada should step down hovered between 60-80
percent.
The source said the political scenario now is beginning to look like the
last days of the Marcos regime, when a widespread social unrest led to the
historic people power revolt that ousted the former strongman even though
he won in the snap elections.
"One of the biggest casualties is investment, which is the basic underlying
factor in a developing economy. If businessmen are not interested or are
hesitant to put in investments, then it would not be surprising if the
Philippines ends up as the slowest growing country in Asia," the source
added.
The foreign official cited the case of US-retail giant Wal-Mart, which had
reportedly put on hold its entry into the country due to the weak economic
prospects and the prolonged political crisis. Phil. Star, 12/03/2000
ESTRADA PLEADS NOT GUILTY: Pres. Estrada entered yesterday a plea of "not
guilty" to the impeachment complaint under which he will be tried by the
Senate starting Dec. 7 on corruption and other charges.
"The accused respectfully prays that a plea of not guilty be entered for
him in the records of this case and, thereafter, after due proceedings, a
judgment of acquittal be rendered by the Senate," his lawyers said in a
pleading.
This developed as the 11-member prosecution panel from the House of
Representatives asked the impeachment tribunal to subpoena presidential son
and San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada so that he could testify as a "hostile
witness."
Such a witness is somebody who will appear in favor of the defense but who,
before making his testimony official, suddenly testifies for the
prosecution, or vice versa.
Mr. Estrada, in a chance interview in a Quezon City hospital, said he will
not object to the prosecution's request.
"If we determine that we can elicit new testimonies or information from
them, then we will have them summoned," House Minority Leader Feliciano
Belmonte Jr., prosecution manager, told radio station dzRH.
He said if in the prosecutors' judgment no such information could be
elicited, the President's women would not be subpoenaed.
In a 16-page response, Mr. Estrada's lawyers argued that the charges do not
constitute impeachable offenses and insisted he had been "faithful to his
oath of office." The prosecution panel now have five days to reply to
Mr. Estrada's response.
Mr. Estrada will be removed only if at least two-thirds of the 22 senators
vote to convict him. Currently he is believed to have a narrow margin of
support for remaining in office.
Rep. Roan Libarios of Agusan del Norte, one of the 11 prosecutors, said Mr.
Estrada's brief and general response to the charges was expected. The
prosecutors asked the Senate yesterday to allow an inspection of several
expensive mansions which Mr. Estrada is accused of having acquired while
in office for the use of his mistresses.
They also requested subpoenas for several witnesses, including Jinggoy,
bank officials, and a woman who allegedly kept records of the gambling
payoffs.
Meanwhile, Belmonte said it's up to the team of Reps. Joker Arroyo and
Oscar Moreno to suggest whether to have the presidential mistresses
summoned or not.
The Arroyo-Moreno team is in charge of prosecuting the bribery charge and
another offense having to do with several mansions allegedly owned by the
President and his women.
Speaking at the Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan alumni homecoming in
Cagayan de Oro City, Pimentel said the President could cling on to power
and simply ignore the heightening protest rallies, demonstrations and
general strikes meant to force his resignation.
Pimentel said Mr. Estrada would hang on and fight the impeachment charges
up to the last prosecution witness.
"That is why it looks like there is no other constitutional way to test the
validity of the President clinging to power than by subjecting him to the
impeachment trial that the Senate is now conducting," Pimentel said.
He said the series of mass actions demanding for the Chief Executive's
ouster, as well as the pro-Estrada rallies, merely cast doubts on the
Senate's ability to render a fair and logical decision on the impeachment
case. Phil. Star, 12/02/2000
PALACE TV DOCU DETAILS `SINS' OF AQUINO, ESTRADA: Impeached President
Estrada, his back against the wall, has turned the tables on his critics
with a Palace-sponsored TV documentary highlighting the achievements of his
administration and the failures of his two predecessors.
The documentary, aired simultaneously Saturday on the government-owned
PTV-4 network and the Lopez-owned ABS-CBN News Channel, detailed the
faults, blunders and scams during the terms of former Presidents Corazon
Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos.
The one-hour documentary, "Halal ng Masa," also sought to discredit Ilocos
Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson and former Securities and Exchange
Commission Chair Perfecto Yasay Jr., two key witnesses in the impeachment
case against the President.
The documentary tried to project that the present Estrada administration
was better than the past two administrations in terms of economic
performance, development projects for the poor and nearly all aspects of
governance.
It said that only in the game of perception and propaganda did the Estrada
administration seem to be losing.
In reality, according to the documentary, the present administration was
"cleaner" than those of Aquino and Ramos, especially the latter who had
been involved in scams involving P97 billion.
The documentary urged the people to take a second look at the terms of
Aquino and Ramos, both of whom were now spearheading the campaign for Mr.
Estrada's resignation.
The documentary, a production of the Office of the Press Secretary and the
Philippine Information Agency, used dramatic musical scoring and visuals.
It was done in Filipino, the target being the lower classes, the support
base of the Estrada administration.
The documentary showed how Aquino failed to implement her centerpiece
program, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, especially in her
family-owned Hacienda Luisita, that led to the so-called "Mendiola
Massacre."
The documentary interviewed Hacienda Luisita farmers who were denied the
piece of land promised them or who expressed frustration at the stock
distribution option followed by the Aquino family.
The documentary also touched on the so-called "Kamaganak Inc.," referring
to Aquino's relatives who got juicy posts and deals during her term.
It also cited the failure of the Ramos administration in defending Filipino
overseas workers abroad as shown in the case of Filipino maid Flor
Contemplacion.
According to the documentary, the Ramos administration was also marked by
an acute shortage in rice supply, low economic performance, and high crime
rate.
In contrast, the documentary played up the achievements of the Estrada
administration in terms of better economic growth, military victories in
the campaign against Moro rebels in Mindanao, recovery of all but two of
the hostages held by the Abu Sayyaf, and lower crime rate.
The documentary showed how the present administration was dealing with
graft and corruption, problems in agriculture, and the lack of housing for
teachers, policemen, soldiers, overseas Filipino workers, and the poor.
Inquirer, 12/03/2000
PULSE ASIA SURVEY: MOST PINOYS WANT TRIAL FOR ESTRADA: Despite the almost
daily rallies against President Estrada, most Filipinos still prefer an
impeachment trial rather than a forced resignation in removing Mr. Estrada,
according to a latest public opinion poll.
In a random survey of 300 Metro Manila residents conducted daily from
Nov. 16 to Dec. 2 by Pulse Asia at least 75 percent of the respondents
agreed that "constitutional processes should be followed in trying to
remove" the President.
On the other hand, about one out of 10 favored a resignation ahead of the
impeachment trial, while about one out of 10 was undecided.
The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus six percentage points. It
is designed to determine how Filipinos view political issues concerning the
nation as the jueteng scandal drags on.
From Nov. 16 to Dec. 2, the number of respondents favoring an impeachment
trial remained basically steady, ranging from a low of 74 percent to a high
of 78 percent.
As for the number of those opposed, it ranged from a low nine percent to a
high of 14 percent during the same period. The number of undecided ranged
from 10 percent to 14 percent.
In the same poll, those who believed that Mr. Estrada should not resign
outnumbered those who believed that the President should be kicked out
right away.
From Nov. 16 to Dec. 2, the number of Filipinos who said Mr. Estrada should
not resign ranged from 42 percent to 50 percent, while the number of those
who said he should immediately resign ranged from 31 percent to 39 percent.
However, this does not mean that all of those who favored an impeachment
trial automatically support Mr. Estrada, said political analyst Felipe
Miranda, president of Pulse Asia.
Many of the respondents interviewed for the survey were critical of the
President, Miranda said, and they preferred an impeachment trial because
they wanted Mr. Estrada to answer the impeachment charges against him.
A resignation ahead of or during the impeachment trial, they pointed out,
would allow Mr. Estrada to step down from the presidency without disputing
the charges, Miranda said.
Many said they were also keen on Mr. Estrada taking the stand and
personally disputing the charges against him, Miranda said, adding that
they also expect a fair trial. Miranda said many of the respondents also
want the senators, who will sit as jurors in the historic trial, to be
open-minded in the admission of evidence that will be used.
That is because they expect Mr. Estrada's innocence or guilt to be proven
beyond reasonable doubt, Miranda said. Phil. Star, 12/04/2000
AFP READY TO BACK ARROYO MERCADO: CLARK FIELD Defense Secretary Orlando
Mercado said here Saturday the Armed Forces will support Vice President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in case President Estrada is convicted by the
Senate in his impeachment trial and removed from office.
Speaking at a press conference after a meeting of the Presidential
Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, Mercado said the officers and
men of the AFP have assured him that they will remain loyal to the
Constitution and whoever is commander-in-chief.
Mercado said he believes the President will honor any decision of the
Senate whether the impeachment tribunal convicts or acquits him.
Mercado said soldiers were told "not to engage in partisan political
activities and not (to allow themselves) to be used by opposition (members
in their politicking). Phil. Star, 12/04/2000
ANTI-ESTRADA PROTESTS MARK BONIFACIO DAY: Estrada-Resign rallies continued
unabated yesterday throughout the country, with tens of thousands of people
from three big militant groups flocking to "protest centers" in Metro
Manila. Labor and peasant causes took precedence in assemblies at the
Liwasang Bonifacio, Chino Roces (formerly Mendiola) Bridge and Mabuhay
Rotunda to mark the 137th birth anniversary of Katipunan founder and
revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio.
In Baguio City, protesters posted symbolic eviction notices to dramatize
their resignation call. And in the Visayas, protesters defied tropical
storm "Toyang's" rains and strong winds and massed in the streets.
Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and
groups under the Estrada Resign Movement (ERM) assembled at the Chino Roces
Bridge. They had camped overnight at the intersection of C.M. Recto Avenue
and Legarda Street.
Activities at the historic bridge began as early as 6:30 a.m., with a
calisthenics exercise followed by prayer sessions.
At 3 p.m., organizers led by Bayan secretary general Teddy Casino estimated
the Mendiola crowdwhich filled the stretch of Recto from the bridge up to
Quezon Boulevard, and both sides of Legardaat 30,000. The Western Police
District pegged it at half the number.
But at 4:45 p.m., the crowd swelled to an estimated 75,000 with the arrival
of protesters belonging to the Akbayan, Trade Union Congress of the
Philippines (TUCP) and Kongreso ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kompil) II.
At 6 p.m., the WPD tactical operations center reported that the crowd had
dwindled down to some 13,000.The protesters dispersed peacefully at 7:30
p.m.
In a press statement, Bayan said it "welcomes and whole-heartedly supports"
the call of former President Corazon Aquino and Jaime Cardinal Sin for a
big rally at the Senate complex in Pasay City on Dec. 7.
The date marks the start of the President's impeachment trial.
The Sanlakas and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino rallied at the Mabuhay
Rotunda on the Manila-Quezon City border after holding a noise barrage at
the Liwasang Bonifacio.
A third group, Kilusan Para sa Demokrasya (KPD), and its affiliates under
the People's Action to Remove Estrada aired their protests at Espana
Boulevard in front of the University of Sto. Tomas.
About 1,000 KPD members later proceeded to the N. Reyes (formerly Morayta)
Street and finally to the Liwasang Bonifacio.
Some 17 employees of the Philippine Airlines staged a moving picket in
front of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.
Holding placards, the members of the Tanglaw ng Palea (PAL Employees'
Association) chanted "Erap resign!" as they walked around the parking area
of Centennial Terminal 2, which is exclusively used by the airline.
Around 500 members of Sanlakas-BMP and urban poor from allied groups
reiterated their "resign-all" call at a rally atop the Bicutan interchange
at around 11 a.m.
Earlier, Sanlakas offered Bayan a truce after the two groups started
accusing each other of conspiring with traditional politicians.
Bayan responded by saying it would accept a truce if Sanlakas junked its
"resign-all" call, which, Bayan said, was divisive and served to benefit
Mr. Estrada.
Satur Ocampo, president of the Bayan Muna party and former spokesperson of
the National Democratic Front, and Bayan's Teddy Casino welcomed the Kompil
II-TUCP delegation.
The delegation was led by "running priest" Fr. Robert Reyes, Akbayan Rep.
Loretta Ann Rosales, Isabela Rep. Heherson Alvarez, and former housing
chief Karina David.
The welcome was marked by wild cheers as the flags of the moderate TUCP and
the militant KMU, ideological rivals before the anti-Estrada protests,
mixed together in the crowd.
Some 10,000 protesters came from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon, and
some as far as Occidental Mindoro, and the Bicol and Ilocos regions.
In Baguio, about 70 protesters posted symbolic eviction notices at the
gates of the Voice of America compound and the mansion owned by banker
Manuel Zamora.
The President and his close friends reportedly own a P40-million log cabin
at the VOA compound. He is said to stay at the Zamora mansion on Paterno
Street every time he visits the city.
In Victoria, Laguna, the 70-member Social Action Network of Southern
Tagalog expressed support Wednesday for Cardinal Sin's call to the people
to unite and join the Dec. 7 rally.
In Bacolod City, protesters danced in the streets and sang songs despite
the bad weather.
In Tacloban City, the Sanghiran San Katawhan Ha Sinirangan Bisayas also
ignored the heavy rains and held a "marketplace for the people's issues" at
the Plaza Rizal, with the participation of street children, farmers and
urban poor. Inquirer, 12/01/2000
ERAP LAWYERS WAIVE FEES; HOUSE PANEL NEEDS FUNDS: Donations are financing
the daily operations of the prosecutors in the trial of Pres. Estrada
because the House of Representatives committee on accounts has yet to
release the P5-million budget for the impeachment trial.
"We are operating on charity and donations, mostly given by 93 congressmen
who endorsed the impeachment complaint against the President," said
Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., co-chair of the secretariat for the
11-member prosecution team.
But the President's defense lawyers appear to have no problem with funding.
Lawyers for Mr. Estrada have waived their fees in exchange for a chance to
take part in his historic impeachment trial, according to Executive
Secretary Ronaldo Zamora.
The President's lawyers include former Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, former
Justice Minister and Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza, and former Samar
Rep. Raul Daza.
The prosecution's secretariat lashed out at the committee on accounts for
refusing to release the P5-million budget of the prosecutors despite
Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella's approval of the panel's request for the funds
two weeks ago.
The committee on accounts approves and releases funds for special
operations.
Andaya warned that the prosecution panel might not be able to recruit
competent staff without the budget.
Expenditures for capital outlay are being restricted because of the
government's poor revenue collection. Andaya said that under ideal
circumstances, their meetings should take place in hotel rooms to ensure
privacy and convenience.
Senate President Aquilino Pimentel earlier said he wanted the impeachment
trial finished in a month.
But Iloilo City Rep. Raul Gonzalez, one of the 11 prosecutors, said the
pace of the trial would depend on whether senators sitting as jurors would
ask too many questions.
In Baguio City, Rep. Roilo Golez enjoined Filipinos to follow closely the
proceedings in the Senate.
He said some members of the House would join the vigils in the Senate if
their schedules in the House permit. Inquirer, 12/01/2000
BUSINESSMEN WANT CABINET REVAMP NOW: Two influential business groups want
President Estrada to immediately revamp his Cabinet and disband all the ad
hoc bodies that he has formed since he assumed office.
This was disclosed by a source privy to what transpired at a meeting held
yesterday between Malacanang officials and leaders of the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Employers Confederation of the
Philippines (Ecop).
According to the source, the business leaders raised the need for immediate
reforms in the government and pointed out that the President's trial had
put the administration in "suspended animation."
Among those said to have been present at the meeting were Ecop president
Donald Dee and former PCCI president Alberto Fenix.
The business leaders are supposedly less interested in the outcome of the
impeachment trial than in the President's efforts to reform his
administration.
The business leaders also expressed alarm over "how policies change from
day to day, depending on who or which among the many advisory groups has
(the President's) ear," the source said.
Thus, the Ecop and PCCI officials want Mr. Estrada to do away with the
"many councils, commissions and task forces" that not only duplicate the
functions of existing Cabinet offices but even "muddle the decision-making
process," the source said.
Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said a number of business groups had
expressed support for the political opposition and promised to help
revitalize the economy in the event that she takes over the presidency.
Macapagal made the statement Wednesday at the weekly forum sponsored by the
La Dolce Fontana restaurant.
She named one of these groups as the Asean-American Business Council, whose
leaders, she said, "have written formally to say they're supporting our
group and . . . that they will help in the economic recovery."
She said a number of fund managers had also visited her to say that if a
new administration were put in place, they would conduct a "fund forum."
Macapagal also said the underwriting community had gotten in touch with
Promdi president and former Cebu Gov. Lito Osmena to express similar
support and to say that it would be "ready to do business" once a new
administration is installed. Inquirer, 12/01/2000
LEFTISTS SCORE US MEDDLING: A left-leaning group has scored US intervention
in Philippine internal affairs, after Vice President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo rebuffed American Embassy officials' reported attempt to
dissuade her from associating with local leftist groups.
At the same time, the founding chair of the Communist Party of the
Philippines denied any links to the United Opposition which Macapagal
heads, after the Vice President was accused by US Embassy officials of
being influenced by the left and supporting anti-American demonstrations at
the embassy.
Satur Ocampo, president of the leftist group Bayan Muna, bristled yesterday
at the US Embassy's reported attempt to persuade Macapagal from consulting
with leftist groups, saying it was a clear case of meddling in the internal
affairs of the country.
Ocampo was reacting to a report that embassy political affairs adviser Dan
Larsen had said in a phone call to Joey Rufino, Lakas-NUCD director, that
leftist groups were influencing Macapagal.
Larsen, who reportedly made the call in behalf of charge d'affaires Michael
Malinowski, cited Arroyo's Nov. 16 dialogue with Bayan Muna and the Bagong
Alyansang Makabayan at St. Theresa's College in Quezon City.
Jose Maria Sison, founding chair of the CPP, said in a statement that there
is no existing formal alliance between Macapagal and the revolutionary
movement.
Sison said the psy-war machinery of President Estrada was engaged in
redbaiting by harping on an imaginary alliance between the CPP and
Macapagal.
Macapagal has justified her "tactical" alliance with the left, saying it
was part of the broad united effort calling for Mr. Estrada to resign.
CPP spokesperson Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal, however, warned Macapagal that
in the event Mr. Estrada stepped down from the presidency, she should
depart from the present anti-people policies of the government or face the
same protests being staged against the President.
Rosal warned that as long as Macapagal does not address the people's
grievances, she would face bigger and more intensive workers' strikes, as
well as a surging peasant struggle in the countryside.
And in honor of Bonifacio Day yesterday, two other groups called Macapagal
the "Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo" of today who is leading the "ilustrados" in
betraying the interests of the masses and capitalizing on their gains to
seize power.
The comparison was made by Sanlakas and the Bukluran ng Manggagawang
Pilipino, two progressive but moderate groups, which demanded that
Macapagal resign her office instead of waiting to assume the presidency.
Inquirer, 12/01/2000
