AJLPP Update

February 23, 2009

AJLPP Disputes Arroyo stand on EDSA Uprising 23rd Anniversary

Los Angeles- The Alliance-Philippines disputes President Arroyo;s assertions that there should not be anymore EDSA. Referring to the People’s Revolt against dictator Marcos in 1986, Arroyo abhorred another EDSA after she herself was propelled into power by another EDSA in 2001 againt former President Joseph Estrada

As this developed a group of rebel soldiers linked to alleged attempts to destabilize President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration declared on Monday that no one, not even she, could dictate that there should be no more people’s revolts in the future.

At the legislature, the AJLPP learned through media sources that Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III warned that another EDSA popular uprising could still happen under Ms Arroyo’s watch if there would be no elections in 2010.

The reactions were provoked by Ms Arroyo’s statement on Sunday at the start of a four-day commemoration of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that the world would not forgive another EDSA upheaval and, instead, would condemn the Philippines as a country with a “hopelessly unstable” political system.

“EDSA I and EDSA II happened for several reasons and if these are still present now, no one—President Macapagal-Arroyo or a lowly citizen—can say that there shouldn’t be another people power,” retired Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda said in a statement relayed to the Philippine Daily Inquirer by his lawyer, Trixie Angeles.

Miranda is facing mutiny charges along with 27 other officers for his alleged participation in the Marine standoff in February 2006. He is currently detained at the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo, the military’s general headquarters.

The charges against them stemmed from an alleged plot by the former Army Scout Rangers chief, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin to lead soldiers in a withdrawal of support from Ms Arroyo over allegations of election fraud.

“An uprising doesn’t just happen. There are reasons for it and if the factors that led to the previous uprisings are still present, then no one is capable of saying that there won’t be another in the future,” Miranda said.

No-election scenario

Meanwhile the AJLPP sources learned that army General Danny Lim, in a statement given through lawyer Vicente Verdadero, said it was not the world which was facing the problems of corruption and injustice but the Filipinos.

“So the decision must be on the Filipino people,” Lim said.

Speaking to reporters, Aquino said that even if the Arroyo administration had just over a year to go, another EDSA revolt could happen “if the situation in the country worsens.” He cited as instance a “no-election” scenario in 2010.

“If there will be no election in 2010, that could be an outlet for the people to show what direction it wants for the government,” Aquino said, warning against trying the patience of the people. Aquino said he had been invited to attend the flag-raising ceremony at the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City on Wednesday but he had sent his regrets.

He said his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, was also not attending any EDSA celebrations because she was still undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer.

Arroyo’s ally Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Ms Arroyo’s statement was “acceptable” in “our temporal world.” Enrile and his former bodyguard, Senator Gringo Honasan appeared in a ceremony in Fort Bonifacio national cemetery with Arroyo for the first time after more than 23 years after the EDSa uprising in 1986.

“But things like these are not always under the control of men,” Enrile told reporters. “What happened in 1986, as far as I’m concerned, we did it. But it’s possible that a Divine Spirit directed the whole thing. So you cannot predict the future,” he said.

Sen. Francis Escudero said that it was the “inherent right” of the people to “oust, corrupt leadership.” “It’s curious that she (Arroyo) used ‘world’ and not the ‘Filipino people.’ Perhaps a slip or admission that she is not as confident when it comes to the Filipino people,” Escudero said in a statement.

Antidote to Arroyo

In another development, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo disputed Ms Arroyo’s statement that the world would not forgive another EDSA.

“The judgment of the international community on an extra-constitutional action is directed at the result, and not on the action itself. They will check if it is good for the country or not. Past uprisings are disparaged because no change took place,” Ocampo said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño said a mass revolt was the answer to leaders like Ms Arroyo. “People power is the ultimate antidote to corrupt leaders like her who undermine democracy, violate human rights and abuse state power. No wonder she is so paranoid,” Casiño said.

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano said what was unacceptable was “another Gloria,” not another EDSA.

Limits to power

The president of the Catholic Church of the Philippines, Archbishop of Jaro Angel Lagdameo, said the commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution served to warn national leaders against committing abuses, including perpetuating their hold on power.

“Our leaders should be good stewards of power and the country’s riches. These are not meant for one family or for one political party only,” Lagdameo said in an interview on Radio Veritas.

“Power and riches should be used for the national good. If our leaders know that they are mere stewards of God, they will not be tempted to perpetuate themselves in power to become a dictator,” he added

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The Alliance-Philippines disputes President Arroyo;s assertions that there should not be anymore EDSA. Referring to the People’s Revolt against dictator Marcos in 1986, Arroyo abhorred another EDSA after she herself was propelled into power by another EDSA in 2001 againt former President Joseph Estrada

As this developed a group of rebel soldiers linked to alleged attempts to destabilize President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration declared on Monday that no one, not even she, could dictate that there should be no more people’s revolts in the future.