Tsinoy businessmen want GMA to finish her term

The country’s second largest Chinese-Filipino business organization expressed its full support for President Arroyo yesterday, saying they do not want her impeached and prefer that she finishes her term.

Rufino Kopio, president of the Chinese Filipino Business Club Inc., issued this statement at the inauguration of the CFBCI office in Binondo, Manila where Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita represented the President as the guest of honor.

"The Chinese community is very, very supportive of the President. In fact, we would like her to continue her stay (in office) and finish her term," Kopio said. "We are committed to support her. If there is any problem that has to be settled, it has to be done in a legal manner."

Kopio also emphasized that the Chinese-Filipino business community has never been as supportive of any administration as they are of Mrs. Arroyo now.

As a sign of their support, Kopio handed over to Ermita a P1-million check as an initial donation to Mrs. Arroyo’s social projects. Kopio said the amount could be used for the construction of artesian wells or small water systems in remote barangays.

Ermita said the donation would strengthen the President’s Social Fund and help support Mrs. Arroyo’s 10-point agenda.

Also present during the ceremonies was Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, a staunch ally of the President.

The seven-year-old CFBCI is involved in charitable activities, government projects and serves as a bridge between the Chinese and Filipino communities. Its over 400 members nationwide include pillars in trade and commerce, manufacturing, construction, banking and other industries.

As this developed, a Palace statement said members of academe in Mindanao have joined calls for Mrs. Arroyo to continue her pro-poor development program in the south.

During a courtesy call at Malacañang, officials of the Mindanao State University, headed by MSU System president Dr. Camar Umpa, presented a copy of their manifesto of support for the President, the Constitution and the rule of law.

They appealed to fellow Filipinos to reject any violent overthrow of the duly elected government. "Ours is a civilized nation. If we cannot allow our own elected President to have her own day in court, how can we presume to give justice to the ordinary Filipino?" Umpa said.

The manifesto stated that forcing Mrs. Arroyo to resign would only plunge the entire country into political chaos and anarchy.

In her reply, the President urged the leaders of academe in the MSU System to broaden information on the delivery of basic services of the government in the Muslim Mindanao communities.

She said communication is very important so that people will know what the government is doing, particularly in Mindanao.

"I think the most important thing is to spread the word that we are delivering services to the poor and, for instance, in Muslim Mindanao. It is very important to spread the word on how the peace process has done so far in an unprecedented manner," she said.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Arroyo also received support from the country’s sugar-growing heartland.

In Negros, hometown of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, nearly all local officials and sugar barons remain loyal to the Presidents and protests against her administration were small.

"This is definitely Gloria country," said Desiree Labajeros, 32, a cafeteria manager in Kabankalan City, south of the provincial capital of Bacolod.

The President may be deeply unpopular in the national capital but she can rely on pockets of strong support in the provinces as she battles allegations of electoral fraud and a looming impeachment complaint.

Mrs. Arroyo’s aides have brushed off criticism by the Manila-centric media, saying the capital, where she lost heavily in last year’s election, represents only a small portion of the population.

Malacañang also maintained yesterday that it would fight for Mrs. Arroyo to keep her mandate until 2010 even as it would allow the impeachment process and the truth commission to push through.

Ermita reiterated that Mrs. Arroyo did not cheat in the elections. — With Aurea Calica