GMA: No more EDSAs for us

President Arroyo said yesterday the May 10 elections brought back the power of the ballot to the Filipinos, who no longer need to take to the streets to have the kind of leaders they want in office.

"Sinimulan na natin ang bagong paglalakbay na ito nang ibinalik natin and demokrasya sa mga tao sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng balota at hindi na sa lansangan (We started this journey when we brought back democracy to our people through the power of the ballot and no longer in the streets)," she said, apparently referring to the two EDSA people power revolts in 1986 and 2001, which resulted in the ouster of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos and President Joseph Estrada on corruption charges.

Mrs. Arroyo herself was swept into office during the tumult of EDSA II, when she took over from Estrada following the walkout staged by congressmen and private prosecutors disgusted over the impeachment trial at the Senate in January 2001.

A few months after Mrs. Arroyo was sworn into office, Estrada supporters laid siege at Malacañang in an attempt to pull off an EDSA III on May 1, 2001.

The President, in her address capping ceremonies marking the 106th anniversary of Philippine independence at the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park, called upon all political leaders in the country, especially the members of Congress convened as the national board of canvassers, to respect the will of Filipino voters by completing the tabulation and the official proclamation of the winners in the presidential and vice presidential race.

She assailed opposition politicians for trying to "derail our democratic process" by delaying the tally of the votes of last month’s presidential election.

Mrs. Arroyo also called on the public not to be discouraged by the political uncertainty that has prevailed since the May 10 elections.

"There are politicians without conscience who will not stop until they have won the election by any means," she said, apparently referring to the opposition which has accused her of using massive fraud to steal the vote.

Exit polls and unofficial results show that Mrs. Arroyo won the presidential election, beating opposition bet Fernando Poe Jr., but the opposition insists that Poe is the real winner.

It was Mrs. Arroyo’s first major speech since the May 10 election. She has avoided press interviews, and unlike Poe, has not personally claimed victory at the polls.

By law, only Congress can declare the winner after tallying all the votes but opposition legislators have delayed the process for weeks through protests and filibustering, raising fears that a destabilization plot may be in the offing.

"The call of the time is for a swift count and a lawful process," Mrs. Arroyo said at the rain-soaked Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park.

She told the public: "Do not let the (vote) count be used as an excuse to halt, delay or derail our democratic process from its proper path."

Bemoaning the continued partisan bickering over the elections, the President said, "We are considered as the symbol of democracy in Asia but our penchant for politics and division is slowly gnawing away at the foundations of our nation."

Despite the political controversy, she insisted that the economy was recovering and that the election results would eventually give Filipinos new opportunities to diminish poverty and end the bitter division in their country.

Mrs. Arroyo also said the election controversy in Congress, "was just a minor image," in the wider scheme of things, telling the people, "we are faced with a chance to make history and carve a new path."

The delay in the vote count has raised the prospect of a constitutional crisis if a new president is not declared before Mrs. Arroyo’s old term ends on June 30.

There have been rumors that some military factions may use such a crisis to try to seize power but security officials have denied that such a plot could ever succeed.

Last Monday, Mrs. Arroyo announced that those behind the destabilization plot have been "crushed" by the rejection of the very people they were trying to recruit from the ranks of the urban poor, police and military.

In her speech, the President renewed her appeals for unity and reconciliation with all her political opponents.

"I continue to pray with our countrymen that God would enlighten not only (me) but all our countrymen and all of our leaders. I will continue to pray and hope you would join me in praying for unity and reconciliation," she said.

The President arrived at Rizal Park at exactly 4 p.m. to lead the traditional Independence Day civic-military parade. Accompanied by her only daughter Evangeline Lourdes, she joined the members of her Cabinet led by Tourism Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan, who chaired the national organizing committee for this year’s Independence Day rites.

A parade of 25 floats depicting events that showcased the greatness of the Filipino was the highlight of the celebration. The first few floats showed the battle of Mactan, the declaration of independence, and the liberation of the country from American and Japanese colonizers.

Some of the floats depicted the services offered by various government agencies.

The parade concluded with floats showing the flagship programs of the Arroyo administration in its efforts to develop a strong republic. These floats showcased Filipinos who gained international recognition in their respective fields. Award-winning singer-actress Lea Salonga was among those given recognition during the Independence Day rites.

Patricia Evangelista, the 19-year-old student who won an international public speaking competition held in London, rode a float on education while boxing champion Manny Pacquiao led fellow sportsmen in another float.

A fireworks display marked the end of the one-hour parade. — With Edu Punay, Pia Lee-Brago, Cecille Suerte Felipe, AFP