Groups like COPA can’t threaten GMA, Lakas solons say

The Council on Philippine Affairs (COPA), or any organization or individual for that matter, cannot threaten the highest official of the land, congressmen belonging to the ruling Lakas said yesterday.

"COPA, Pastor Saycon or any of its official should not threaten President Arroyo. You don’t do that to the President," said Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri of Bukidnon.

He said if Saycon and his group disagree with some decisions or policies of Mrs. Arroyo, they should communicate their views to her and should not be airing threats.

Another Lakas solon, Prospero Nograles of Davao City, said COPA should not be part of the problems that the President should tackle.

"This group is an original supporter of Mrs. Arroyo. It should continue to support her because she is really trying her best to give us all a better life," he said.

Saycon’s group has threatened to wage mass protests should the President go ahead in recruiting loyalists of ousted President Joseph Estrada who have reportedly been tapped by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

COPA was particularly alarmed by reports that brothers Ronaldo and Ricardo "Dong" Puno have been asked to help in Mrs. Arroyo’s 2004 election campaign.

Nograles expressed doubts on whether Saycon and his organization can mass a huge crowd to protest against Mrs. Arroyo.

"There is no controversial issue that can galvanize the people, unlike during the corruption-plagued Estrada administration," he said.

While criticizing COPA for its threat, Zubiri agreed with Saycon that the President should go slow in recruiting Estrada loyalists.

"If she needs help, she should not look far. Her legion of supporters are ready and willing to help her lead the country beyond 2004," said Zubiri.

He said recruiting the enemy is not exactly good politics since it inevitably alienates some supporters.

Besides, he added that some recruits could be Trojan horses.

Ronaldo Puno was Estrada’s local government secretary, while brother Ricardo was press secretary.

The former local government boss was largely behind Estrada’s effort to portray the mass protests leading to his ouster as a class conflict that pitted the poor who were his supporters against Mrs. Arroyo’s rich backers and financiers.

The ploy did not work.