FVR on ‘artificial stability’: I’m just waking up the government

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Former President Fidel Ramos said he was "just waking up" the government when he claimed that President Arroyo had only brought "artificial stability" to the country and that the political crisis still remained.

Ramos, who was here as guest speaker for the opening ceremonies of the Ilocos Region Athletic Association (IRAA) meet yesterday, told local reporters that he was surprised at the statement made by Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles, a pro-administration lawmaker who accused Ramos of sabotaging the economy through his statements.

"You know, Tony Cerilles is my friend, but I was surprised when he made those statements," Ramos said in Filipino.

Ramos said he was just telling the truth but if Cerilles "seems to be offended by a direct, truthful statement which was reported in today’s newspaper also, then let him be offended."

He urged the President to formulate a strategic long-range plan to address the economy.

"We’re just like in the IRAA. Are we contented with being left behind?" Ramos said.

Ramos added: "People like Cerilles who (are) not really faithful to Gloria’s administration must concentrate on success stories for the next 20 years." He pointed out that Cerilles was not with Mrs. Arroyo in January 2001, when she succeeded ousted President Joseph Estrada.

Ramos said in his previous statement that "investors who fled the country after Mrs. Arroyo placed the country under a state of emergency and returned after she lifted it by virtue of Proclamation 1017... will not stay long because of continued instability."

"If I were an investor with available funds somewhere, I would rather go to a place like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia where things are predictable and you do not unnecessarily waste your money," Ramos said, adding that he hopes that Cerilles actually reads his statements.

Meanwhile, Ramos urged the government "not to subject our Armed Forces and our police" to a political tug-of-war.

He said the military and the police should be left alone to do their jobs because they are "already undermanned, underpaid, overstretched throughout our 7,107 islands and there are no other institutions that will do their job of public safety."

"Leave them alone. Let us create a system that will make it easier for us to change government without invoking the armed services anymore," Ramos added. — Eva Visperas