MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces chief-of-staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang downplayed on Friday calls for the resignation of President Aquino by Church leaders in Cebu.
Interviewed after the budget hearing at the Senate, Catapang said he respects the rights of the people to peacefully assemble and express their opinions.
“Hindi po destabilization yan, that is freedom of the press. 'Yan yung sinasabi ko sa inyo na we have a vibrant democracy, a vibrant politics,” Catapang said.
“So everybody is free to say what he feels for as long as they will not bear arms. Freedom of the Press is also… we acknowledge also the Freedom of the Press,” he added.
Catapang was asked how the AFP would categorize the move of Church leaders in Cebu, who called for the resignation of President Aquino.
The so-called National Transformation Council (NTC) lashed out at President Aquino, saying he had lost the moral ascendancy to lead the nation.
Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is leading the group, which alleged that the President had violated the Constitution by corrupting Congress, intimidating the judiciary, taking over the Treasury, and perverting the impeachment process.
Once President Aquino steps down from office, the group advocates the creation of an alternative government consisting of men and women of integrity to avoid a political vacuum. Members of the civil society are also with the group.
The NTC also calls for the immediate filing of criminal cases against all lawmakers involved in the pork barrel scandal and the disbursement acceleration program.
Cebu is considered now as an Aquino country after Liberal Party-backed Gov. Hilario “Jun” Davide III won his seat, ending the control of the Garcia clan in the provincial capitol.