‘FVR also met with Guingona’

Former President Fidel Ramos had more secret meetings with other opposition figures, some retired and active military generals as well as influential religious leaders.

Ramos, who is scheduled to disclose the details of his meetings today, will also reveal how some Malacañang officials waged an effort to discredit him.

Sources close to the former president said apart from the Jan. 2 meeting with Senate President Franklin Drilon and former senator Vicente Sotto III, he also had met with another administration critic, former vice president Teofisto Guingona Jr.

The source said Mr. Ramos met with Guingona at the Export and Industry Bank Plaza in Makati City, a day after meeting with Drilon and Sotto.

Both reportedly tried to convince the former leader to join efforts to force President Arroyo to step down.

The former president’s spokesman Ed Malay confirmed the meetings but stressed there is nothing secret or unusual about it.

"So what? There were many people who saw them (Mr. Ramos and Guingona) shaking hands at the lobby (of Ramos Peace and Development Foundation office — RPDEV) in Makati. So what’s the fuss?" Malay asked.

Asked on the possible reasons behind Ramos meeting with Mrs. Arroyo’s political opponents, Malay said: "Let’s put it this way, he is influential and many seek his counsel or his opinions or just to talk with him because he is a former president."

Malay stressed Ramos’ RPDEV office is open to anybody who would like seek an appointment.

He said the former president does not choose the people he would meet as long those personalities can contribute something to objectives of uniting the country and progress.

Palace officials clammed up over the issue after insisting last week that Ramos remains an ally of the Arroyo administration.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye had said the administration is not worried over opposition attempts to recruit Ramos since he remains supportive of the President.

Ermita and Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio though admitted confronting Ramos and claimed they were able to secure a commitment from the former chief executive that he still supports Mrs. Arroyo.

Spurned

Opposition Sen. Edgardo Angara, on the other hand, claimed Drilon and Sotto virtually ended up as "spurned suitors" after Ramos rejected their offer to join them in the opposition.

Angara said Drilon and Sotto became victims of the former president after they were taken for a ride into apparently thinking that they will be forming a coalition against Mrs. Arroyo.

"They are like spurned suitors, rejected by FVR (Ramos)," Angara said.

Last weekend, Angara claimed the meeting with Ramos was all a "media ploy" to grab the limelight.

Unfortunately, according to Angara, "some naive people fell into his (Ramos) trap."

Angara noted the meeting of the former president with the two opposition figures sparked talks of a possible falling out with Mrs. Arroyo.

But Angara said Ramos’ continued refusal to disclose the details of the meeting is annoying.

"That’s what he (Ramos) is good at. It’s just plain headline-grabbing gimmick. In plain language, he’s trying to focus the attention to himself," he said.

Angara also belittled Ramos’ pledge of support for Mrs. Arroyo and her administration. "There is no significance at all for the life of the nation in such pledges," he said.

Angara claimed the former president’s influence has diminished over the years.

Administration officials said Drilon and Sotto had tried to win Ramos over to the opposition.

Bunye said any attempt by opposition members to divide administration leaders would be futile.

Claudio, for his part, pointed out Ramos is even pushing for a meeting of the national directorate of the ruling Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats on Jan. 14. The former chief executive is the founder and chairman emeritus of Lakas-CMD with Mrs. Arroyo as the national chairwoman.

Claudio added Ramos also called for the convening of the Council of State on Jan. 24.

The source said the former president also had separate meetings with retired and active military generals and religious leaders last month and recently but did not elaborate on the details.

"I’m sure he (Mr. Ramos) will talk about the meetings tomorrow (today)," the source said, referring to the scheduled press conference at the RPDEV office.

The source added Ramos has become a target of a demolition job by some "jealous and insecure" officials linked to the Palace.

"Maybe they are afraid that if he (Ramos) becomes too influential with Mrs. Arroyo, they (the faction) would be set aside or considered no longer in the inner circle along with their interests, maybe political or business," the source said.

"Why is it hard for them to believe that he has nothing but the best interest of the country in mind?" the source asked.

Ramos had complained last year of being subjected to a demolition job but refused to point an accusing finger.

Malay said he is also aware of such attacks against Ramos but said the former leader merely shrugs it off.

He said Ramos is focusing on his role as a senior statesman.

Malay added the former president is often asked on his trips abroad whether it would be safe to invest in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez said the Council of State meeting set for Jan. 24 would just be a "waste of time" and effort of the administration to resolve the lingering political crisis.

"It won’t resolve the political crisis. It would be a monologue by the President and Malacañang presentors, just like the National Security Council meetings," the former national security adviser of Mrs. Arroyo said.

He claimed the Council of State meeting would be "too big and unwieldy."

Golez said there would be a general debate of the nation’s problems but there would be no detailed discussions on proposed solutions.

"It would be better for the President to have a heart-to-heart talk with former presidents...She should seek their advice," he said.

But administration lawmakers led by House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles (Davao City) and Davao del Sur Rep. Douglas Cagas said opposition leaders should attend the Council of State meeting.

In a joint statement, the two lawmakers called on their opposition colleagues to contribute to the solution of the nation’s problems instead of claiming the President would just use its representatives to give a "semblance of legitimacy" to her beleaguered administration if they attend.

"It is time to reconcile, get our acts together and move this country forward. Let’s forget politicking and think more of our country’s interest so we can sustain our economic momentum and finally take off," they said. - With Christina Mendez, Jess Diaz