Guingona: I’m no ‘Mindanao czar’

Sez who?

Vice President Teofisto Guingona flatly denied yesterday a Malacañang report that he had accepted the position of "Mindanao czar" with specific functions and powers as delineated in an administrative order issued by President Arroyo.

"I categorically deny that (report). I categorically deny that I am still part of the Arroyo government," Guingona told an audience opposed to the controversial Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) between the Philippines and the United States, at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye told reporters at Malacañang the other day that Guingona had accepted the position of Mindanao czar offered by the President.

"The Vice President has accepted his appointment, this additional responsibility and we’d like to thank the Vice President for acceding to this appointment," Bunye said.

"First of all, the AO (Administrative Order 45) does not make me a czar of Mindanao. It does not appoint me as a Cabinet member," Guingona pointed out.

He noted that there was nothing in AO 45 that referred to Mindanao. "It’s just that previously, they were offering me in July (the position of) czar of Mindanao as well as another Cabinet position, but neither of which materialized."

Guingona explained that when he stepped down as foreign affairs secretary last July 15, he told the President about the programs he initiated during his tenure. He added that AO 45 merely expressed support for the projects.

As Mindanao czar, the Vice President is tasked to "oversee, supervise and implement a number of government programs in the South."

Among these programs are the Overseas Filipino Investment Bond, the Housing Program for Overseas Filipino Workers and Others launched last July 2, as well as the establishment of an integrated steel plant in Mindanao, setting up of a Seafarer’s Welfare Program and other socio-economic programs for the region.

"The OVP (Office of the Vice President) shall be the representative of the government in the oversight and supervision of such programs until their completion," AO 45 stated.

Guingona maintained, however, that he does not want to be part of a government that pushed for a pact that would drag the Philippines into "never-ending wars (against terrorism)" initiated by the US, referring to the MLSA.

There was a fallout between Mrs. Arroyo and Guingona over "policy differences" pertaining the terms of reference of Balikatan O2-1, a joint military training exercise between American and Filipino troops held February to July this year in the strife-torn island province of Basilan.

Guingona’s reported designation as Mindanao czar came a day after he revived a group that actively participated in the EDSA I and EDSA II uprisings that respectively toppled the Marcos dictatorship in February 1986 and the Estrada administration in January last year. He called his group Bagong Bandila.

He said he would not accept any new assignment because he wanted flexibility and focus in his Bagong Bandila, aimed at empowering marginalized sectors of society and protecting them from the adverse effects of globalization.

The group believed that the MLSA is a treaty and should have the concurrence of the Senate.

Guingona denounced the "sneaky manner" in which defense and foreign affairs officials crafted the MLSA with their American counterparts.

As Mindanao czar, Bunye said Guingona would supervise and oversee implementation of certain socio-economic projects and programs of the government for southern Philippines.

The gathering of anti-MLSA advocates called "Assembly of Patriots" was in preparation for the staging today of a nationwide protest against the accord spearheaded by left-leaning organizations such as the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, the party-list Bayan Muna, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela, the US Troops Out Now coalition, the Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace and Karapatan.

The demonstrators will march from the Liwasang Bonifacio to Mendiola to bring their protest right at the doorsteps of the Palace. — With Romel Bagares