Palace slams resigned NLRC chief for mutiny call

Malacañang yesterday slammed resigned National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) chairman Roy Señeres for calling for a mutiny against the government, saying Señeres is indeed one of the people plotting to destabilize the Arroyo administration.

"Mr. Señeres just showed his true colors. By his own words and behavior, he has confirmed what the public had suspected all along," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

Bunye said Señeres was not fit to serve in government since insinuations in previous reports that he had been espousing a change of government turned out to be true.

The presidential spokesman said it was "time for us to move on" and attend to other matters of governance.

At a press conference the other day, Señeres called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to perform their duty and obligation to protect the people from a "destructive" government.

Señeres said he was determined to resign because he could no longer take the "devilish" Arroyo administration. He added his resignation was not prompted by President Arroyo’s order placing the NLRC under the direct supervision of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

He criticized the Arroyo administration for failing to eradicate graft and corruption, illegal logging, illegal gambling, smuggling and other illicit activities that were pushing Filipinos further into the mire of poverty.

Señeres said the lawyers and diplomatic officials he had met all agreed that the AFP and PNP should take appropriate action against the "presently oppressive and enormously evil" situation of the country.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita earlier warned Señeres not to violate the country’s laws in expressing his criticism of the Arroyo administration.

As this unfolded, organized labor groups called on the President to strike politicians off her list of possible replacements for Señeres.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said a politician is not fit to head the NLRC, which is now swamped by reports of graft and corruption within its ranks.

"We are hoping that politicians would keep out of the NLRC and that President Arroyo would appoint one who understands the existing problems of the commission," TUCP spokesman Alex Aguilar said.

The TUCP and other labor groups earlier urged the President to immediately work to end delays in the resolution of labor cases pending before the NLRC and to rid the commission of corruption.

Señeres submitted his letter of resignation to the President on Wednesday. His resignation takes effect on June 30.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said she had yet to submit a list of possible replacements for Señeres, saying "there are many possible replacements... but I have yet to look into their individual records so I can make the necessary recommendations."

Sto. Tomas said she would work with whomever the President appoints as NLRC chief.

Ermita described Señeres as a poor team player, adding that the government would be better off without him.

"He did the better thing and now he can do what he wishes to do short of violating our laws," he added.

Ermita showed little surprise over Señeres’ decision to join the group of retired general and former defense chief Fortunato Abat, who had earlier called for an overthrow of the Arroyo government.

"This is a free country, as I said. As long as they air their (grievances) within the ambit of laws and they do not violate the Revised Penal Code, they are free to espouse their convictions," Ermita said.

Meanwhile, a retired general said that although there is growing discontent and anti-government sentiment among Filipinos, there is no coordinated effort among various opposition groups to seek the ouster of Mrs. Arroyo.

Retired Brig. Gen. Angel Sadang, spokesman for the Generals for the Constitution told Partido ng Masang Pilipino leaders during the PMP Kapihan in a Quezon City restaurant that, as of this time, there were no firm timetables, plans or scenarios in which Mrs. Arroyo steps down or is ousted by a popular uprising.

"Will it be revolutionary, military junta? Who will lead the junta?" Sadang asked PMP delegates from the National Capital Region (NCR).

Sadang said he had been informed in one meeting that 1.5 million people are ready to take to the streets to call for Mrs. Arroyo’s ouster, but added these people also fear arrest.

He was among the three generals who signed a manifesto denouncing what they described as the "carrot and stick" policy of the Arroyo administration concerning claims for the long overdue payment of P12 billion pension and benefits for AFP retirees.

He said although the President already authorized the release of P300 million as partial payment to World War II pensioners, these retirees still had not received what is due them.

Sadang said that besides fear of arrest, the possibility that there may be bloody confrontations between government troops and anti-Arroyo forces is a factor that prevents any coordinated effort against Mrs. Arroyo.

But hard-core PMP members disputed Sadang’s view, saying the people are ready again to take to the streets to oust Mrs. Arroyo through people power.

"Our day draws near," PMP executive committee member Ping Fernandez said.

Fernandez said an information drive is now ongoing throughout Metro Manila to explain to the people the need to oust the president.

PMP officer Sonny Casalla said they are awaiting orders to begin mass actions against the Arroyo administration.

"The people will all take to the streets on one given signal," Casalla said. — With Perseus Echeminada and Mayen Jaymalin