Palace rebuffs Erap, says ‘transition government’ illegal

Malacañang yesterday shot down deposed President Joseph Estrada’s call to replace President Arroyo with a "transition government," saying such a move would be illegal and unconstitutional.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Estrada is ignoring the Constitution and virtually advocating a junta to replace Mrs. Arroyo and the government.

Both said the public had heard enough from Estrada and "the worn-out tune of his allies and supporters."

Ermita noted the government was allowing Estrada to exercise his constitutional right to freedom of expression even though he is in detention and facing charges of plunder.

"We have laws, we have the Constitution to follow. It just can’t be that we suddenly have a transition government whenever some people want it when we have laws," Ermita emphasized.

Estrada, in his version of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, exhorted Filipinos to support his calls for a "transition government" that would take over Mrs. Arroyo’s leadership.

He claimed the government is "in a state of paralysis" with Mrs. Arroyo incapable of governing a nation in crisis.

The deposed leader called on the people to force Mrs. Arroyo to step down and support a transition government, which would be composed of "various sectors of the society and serve with trust and honor."

Other sectors also echoed Estrada’s call for a caretaker government.

The Unity for Truth and Justice (UJT) called for a complete overhaul of the present system of government to be replaced with individuals making up a caretaker council to run the country and holding fixed terms.

The group also echoed the proposal made by former defense secretary and retired general Fortunato Abat for a junta.

Ermita said even those reportedly in agreement about a junta government could not agree among themselves who should sit in charge of the caretaker government.

He challenged those who want Mrs. Arroyo replaced to seek the presidency through the legal process of election, if they wish to run the country.

"It can’t be that they dislike Mrs. Arroyo, so they would put in place people who would rule. Why don’t they run in the elections so they could become president?" Ermita said.

The fate of the government, he said, cannot be dictated by mob rule.

Bunye, for his part, said it would have been more sensible and helpful if Estrada discussed ideas that could move the country forward.

"There was nothing in their speeches that can help the people resolve their present problems," Bunye said.

"Now is the time for constructive action, not political venom," he said.

Bunye called on Estrada to accept the reality that he belongs to the past.