Bush visit a go-signal for GMA to run — Imee

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos said yesterday the eight-hour visit of US President George W. Bush on Oct. 18 could be interpreted as "a blessing" for President Arroyo to seek another term.

"I think in general, may bendisyon natatanggap (there’s a blessing received) whenever an American president comes to visit," said Marcos, herself the daughter of a president whose 20-year reign was also backed by US presidents.

"Nakakaige sa ratings at nakakapagbigay ng pogi points (It improves ratings and gives brownie points)," the lawmaker said.

Marcos said Bush will come here to thank Mrs. Arroyo for supporting the campaign against terrorism, particularly during the first days of the US invasion of Iraq last March.

"He will come here to thank GMA perhaps because the US has very few remaining allies in the world," she said, claiming that Mrs. Arroyo’s political future "stands to gain the most" from the Bush visit.

During Mrs. Arroyo’s state visit to Washington last May, Bush reportedly urged her to seek a full six-year term despite her pronouncement last December that she is not running in the May elections next year.

Marcos was the first to call for the cancellation of Bush’s visit following the failed July 27 military uprising against Mrs. Arroyo.

However, Marcos said: "We can expect help from Bush during the visit."

The other day, the President answered criticisms over the short stay here of Bush, saying the "time may be short but the expected gains are undiminished."

Mrs. Arroyo said the US will make a greater commitment to help in the rehabilitation of war-ravaged areas in Mindanao during the visit of its president.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reiterated yesterday its "no permit, no rally" policy as militant groups threatened massive protest actions before and during the visit of Bush.

"It’s part of our overall security preparations not to allow rallies without permits so as to ensure that traffic will not be hampered in Metro Manila," said PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil.

On the other hand, Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero, Armed Forces information chief, said military intelligence agents are working on a "worst-case scenario," and have been in the field to ensure that Bush’s visit will be peaceful.

"We will see to it that the situation is peaceful when the US president is here," he said, adding that hundreds of US Secret Service agents will provide close-in security for Bush.

But protesters are also preparing.

Farmers belonging to the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said they will hold a massive protest action with "tens of thousands of farmers" marching to the former US air base at Clark Field on Oct. 18.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the government will allow anti-American protest rallies as long these are orderly and peaceful.

"To those who would wish to join the protest rallies related to the visit of President Bush or any other protest action for that matter, all we appeal to them is to keep their demonstration peaceful," he said.

"The government respects their rights to free expression but this must be done through orderly, peaceful means that (will) not cause harm or injury or destruction of property for the welfare of all of us."

Bunye said the Palace also cannot bar Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. from taking part in a planned 16-hour prayer vigil of leftist groups to protest "continuing US interference" in Philippine affairs.

"This is his way of expressing his convictions," he said. "If our Vice President would really want to participate in this kind of prayer vigil, we cannot do anything about it."

However, Bunye did not say if the government would strictly impose the "no permit, no rally" policy being implemented by the police.

"We (will) entrust this matter to concerned authorities to implement these action plans about free expression or demonstrations," he said.

"Our police forces are preparing for whatever possible problems and we hope there won’t be any problems occasioned by this free expression of our countrymen."

Bunye said left-leaning demonstrators will not be banned from unfurling red banners during street protest rallies.

"They are not restricted (from) doing it," he said. "What is not allowed is the use of violence to crate chaos, which I hope will not happen." — With Jaime Laude, Marichu Villanueva