GMA: Disregard all coup rumors

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — Apparently exasperated by persistent coup rumors, President Arroyo advised the nation yesterday to "disregard any rumor of any impending coup" since the military’s "strength of character" would disprove such rumors.

"For the last time, I wish to tell the nation to disregard any rumor of any impending coup," the President said in a speech that was delivered by Vice President Teofisto Guingona during the 103rd anniversary celebration of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

The President herself assured that her administration is stable and "dreamers" have no capability to stage a coup d’état.

"My government is stable. My government is stable," Mrs. Arroyo said during the first episode of her weekly radio program dubbed "May Gloria ang Bukas Mo."

"In the first place, our people have nothing to worry about because whoever is dreaming of a coup d’état has no capability nor support," she said.

"(But) why does (the rumors) refuse to die down? It’s because those who are dreaming about it are the ones spreading the rumors but that’s all they can do," she pointed out.

Palace officials said the President and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo could not attend the PMA’s anniversary celebration because they are preparing for their trips to Hong Kong today and to Beijing tomorrow.

But Guingona read the President’s speech and later assured that no coup attempt would succeed because there was no moral cause to support such an adventure

"It was the character built by the PMA that moves most PMAyers to take the side of truth and good governance in EDSA I and then in EDSA II," Guingona said, reading the President’s speech.

"This very same strength of character, displayed by PMA alumni and cadets, is also the reason why I ignore rumors about ‘Black October’," she added.

She was referring to the coup plot supposedly hatched by people involved in the EDSA II uprising that ousted former President Joseph Estrada and paved the way for her succession to the presidency.

She said she has "no doubt that the PMA cadets of today and the years to come will live up to the exacting standards of the PMAyer: to be the complete professional soldier, united in thought and action, strictly adhering to the chain of command and observing the culture of professionalism, excellence and meritocracy."

The President also lauded the military’s continuing drive against secessionists and local terrorists and noted that "at no other time in contemporary history has security been more meaningful to the Filipino nation than now."

At Malacañang, the President also asked media organizations not to make a big deal out of coup rumors.

"I am asking the media not to make headlines out of rumors. Let’s not make big stories of it in the evening news. I believe the media is the most influential institution today," she said.

Speaking to reporters after delivering the President’s speech, Guingona stressed the persistent rumors "have no basis because there is no moral cause for anyone to stage a coup unless it is personal."

The Vice President said the Arroyo administration is a government dedicated to resolving the problems of the poor and of the economy.

"All efforts are substantially being done," Guingona said but stressed the Arroyo administration needs more time since it has only been in office for nine months.

"Even in marriage, there is a nine-month period before productive results become evident," he said.

Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes concurred with the vice president and stressed that while there may be attempts to destabilize the government, there are no attempts to stage a coup d’état. – With reports from Marichu Villanueva, Edith Regalado