Beware of people’s wrath, Palace warns filibusters

Administration lawmakers should flex their muscle to speed up the canvassing of votes in Congress because the opposition’s delaying tactics are wearing out the public’s patience, Malacañang officials said yesterday.

Last Tuesday dozens of spectators observing the canvassing walked out, frustrated at the filibuster put up by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, who took at least seven hours questioning a discrepancy in one certificate of canvass (COC).

"We hope that the majority (in Congress) would rein them in and would no longer allow such a situation and such kind of investigation to take place instead of counting the votes because this is what is demanded and expected of them by the people," said Michael Defensor, President Arroyo’s campaign spokesman.

"The people, including those watching from the gallery in Congress, visitors and employees of the House of Representatives, really got impatient with what they saw yesterday. I was there and I was surprised at the slowdown that happened — the debates and discussions — instead of the counting," Defensor said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, co-chairman of the 22-member joint committee conducting the canvass, said the panel "will not allow prolonged and lengthy debates."

"We will push for reducing the period of debates to within a reasonable time. We cannot spend a whole day debating over a COC," he said. "After last Tuesday, I am sure the people will understand if we opt to lessen prolonged debates and proceed with the canvass."

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision Tuesday to reject an opposition petition seeking to halt the congressional canvass should speed things up.

In a 14-0 vote, the Supreme Court junked a petition filed by Rep. Ruy Elias Lopez, who questioned the legality of having the canvass conducted by a joint committee instead of by the whole Congress.

It said Congress was well within its authority to make the canvassing rules and that it would not interfere in the affairs of a co-equal branch of government "absent showing of a grave abuse of discretion."

"The opposition must stop holding the Filipino people and the Constitution hostage to the self-serving interests of a few. It is time to move on and heed the voice of the people," Bunye said.

A few administration lawmakers have urged their partymates in the joint canvassing committee to "show more firmness in pushing for a speedier but credible canvass."

"Just because they can air their views as long as they want, it does not mean the opposition should dominate the canvass proceedings. Congress has a constitutional deadline to meet for the proclamation of winners," Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Isidoro Real said.

Davao del Sur Rep. Douglas Cagas said the "filibustering opposition members have diminished themselves in the eyes of the people."

Administration allies suspect the opposition is trying to delay the count and is planning to proclaim opposition front-runner Fernando Poe Jr. the winner via massive street protests. The Constitution stipulates that the next president assume office on June 30.

Malacañang has earlier warned that the government would use force to quell mob rule.