Tatad lectures Planas

CABANATUAN CITY , Philippines  – Former Senator Francisco Tatad has criticized deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas for speculating on a possible military takeover if election failure occurs, saying her statement fuels controversy.

“I have been a spokesman for 10 years. It’s not the duty of the spokesman to speculate but to give data,” said Tatad, former information minister of the Marcos administration. 

Planas said earlier that failure of elections could result in a military takeover of the government.

“To avoid speculation, it’s not bad if all the presidential bets are made to sit down and adopt solutions to calm the waters. Maybe, we could ask a neutral organization like the CBCP to initiate this,” he said, referring to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.   

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez earlier said members of the clergy would join another popular revolt if the election fails.

Tatad was with Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada and his senatorial slate in the city for a brainstorming session.

Estrada said he would lead a revolt against the government if a failure of election occurs.

“I will be one of those who would lead a revolt if that’s the case,” Estrada said.

PMP re-electionist Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said the critical point of the upcoming elections is noon of June 30 when President Arroyo should step down from power, which would create a power vacuum if election fails.

PMP senatorial candidate lawyer JV Bautista said fears of a military takeover is fanned by the appointment of Gen. Delfin Bangit as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“Of course, we are not going to allow that,” he said.