Local officials call on public to reject power grab

Local government officials called on the public yesterday to "reject and crush" any attempt by anti-government forces to grab power.

League of Provinces spokesman Eastern Samar Rep. Gov. Ben Evardone lambasted the political opposition for transforming the Senate into "its latest venue for destabilization," but at the same time expressed confidence that the people will not be influenced by their "empty rhetoric."

Evardone was referring to the standoff between Malacañang and the Senate over President Arroyo’s order barring members of the executive branch from appearing in congressional inquiries without her approval.

"Our peace loving and freedom loving people will reject and crush this desperate act by the opposition. We are also urging President Arroyo to remain firm and strong because the Filipino people are behind her every step of the way," Evardone said in a statement.

The country’s governors, mayors, barangay chairmen and other local officials will meet on Oct. 10 at the Manila Hotel to reaffirm their support for the administration.

The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, representing 1.5 million local executives and employees, on the other hand will celebrate then the 14th anniversary of the Local Government Code.

Close to a thousand local government leaders and officials will converge at the Manila Hotel to report gains arising from local autonomy as well as to manifest their support for the President.

A signature campaign for Mrs. Arroyo, meanwhile, will be launched in a separate meeting of provincial governors to be held in Vigan City, according to Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia, Antique Gov. Salvacion Perez and Sulu Gov. Benjamin Loong.

"Mindanao has always been supportive of President Arroyo," Loong said.

"We are ready to mobilize our own people to counter the propaganda drive of the opposition," he said, adding his own constituents "are already sick and tired of too much politics."

Meanwhile, an opposition group has called on the President’s "righteous" Cabinet officials to resign and free themselves from the grasp of a government which no longer enjoys the people’s trust.  

The Black and White Movement (BWM), one of the biggest opposition groups under the Bukluran Para sa Katotohanan (Coalition for Truth), said the exodus of "men of integrity" from Mrs. Arroyo’s camp should continue.

BWM issued the call as it sympathized with Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo who handed down his irrevocable resignation last week because of what he describes as the mental and physical exhaustion caused by working seven days a week.

"Despite initial skepticism about his (Marcelo’s) appointment, he proved himself a professional public servant, and capable of demonstrating independence and integrity," the group said. — With Michael Punongbayan