No people power for anti-Noy rallies

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang believes calls for President Aquino’s resignation do not have the Filipinos’ support as shown by the EDSA rally on Sunday, which Palace officials noted drew only “around 850 to a thousand despite the publicity.”

The opinions of Aquino’s uncle, former Tarlac representative Peping Cojuangco Jr. and his wife, former Tarlac governor Margarita or Tingting, obviously did not carry weight as far as the Filipino people are concerned, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told a press briefing yesterday.

The Cojuangco couple joined the rally along with members of the National Transformation Council (NTC), whom Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said could be charged with sedition, rebellion or coup d’etat should they continue to push for extra-constitutional means to replace Aquino before the 2016 elections.

Lacierda said that “the uncle has been making statements different from that of the administration” and that several political families have differences that are known by the public.

“Are they involved in the administration? Are they involved in governance? Are they involved in the reforms that the President has been pushing for the past four years? And is it uncommon or is it rare for members of the same political family to have differences? I don’t think so,” he said.

By refusing to join the rally seeking Aquino’s ouster, Lacierda pointed out that the people have realized the importance of the President’s role in the country and the effects of asking for his resignation.

Asked about Aquino’s reactions to the calls for him to step down, Lacierda said “the President takes all things in stride” and that what happened on Sunday was significant for the administration in terms of gauging public support.

“The President has done so much for the country. The President has lifted us – the economic wellbeing of our country from its past. The President has made a number of significant reforms both in governance as well as in economy and continues to do so. And people see that and realize that,” Lacierda said.

“Whatever intimations that his uncle has said publicly, that’s his opinion. But we go about doing our business of governance. And so, how do we treat the comments of his uncle and his aunt? It’s just any other opinion in the public, which has not swayed anyone… or rather who has not swayed a great majority of the people. The people continue to repose their trust in the President,” he said.

Criminal charges for Noy ouster?

A senior Catholic prelate belonging to the NTC is ready to face criminal charges for supporting moves to oust the President.

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said the Department of Justice (DOJ) could investigate and file charges against their group, as he expressed belief they would be absolved anyway.

“We, in the NTC, are not doing anything illegal. We are patriots defending our country, our Constitution, and our people,” Arguelles told reporters by phone.

“If they are truly following the law, then apply the law,” he dared De Lima.

The NTC, as well as religious leaders from the Catholic Church and Christian denominations, earlier said it has now become “urgent and imperative” for Aquino to heed calls for him to step down from his post.

Among the Catholic bishops who signed the NTC statement were Arguelles, Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Davao Archbishop Emeritus Fernando Capalla, Zamboanga Archbishop Romulo de la Cruz, Naval Bishop Filomeno Bactol, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and Fr. Carlito Clase on behalf of Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos.

De Lima warned NTC members last Sunday of criminal charges for reportedly instigating a military-backed uprising.

The DOJ chief said the NTC – composed of former officials and politicians and Catholic clergymen closely identified with former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as well as former defense secretary and national security adviser Norberto Gonzales – could be liable for their “strategy” to unseat Aquino through “illegal and unconstitutional” means.

She stressed that the NTC’s plan to install their group as the governing body of the republic is “nothing but the installation of a civilian-military junta, and the call for the military’s support for its defense and installation is nothing less than a proposal or conspiracy to commit the crime of coup d’etat.

“The NTC’s pronouncements and publicly declared strategy for the capture of state power through active military support to the NTC are therefore acts which already constitute conspiracy or proposal to commit rebellion and coup d’etat (Article 136 in relation to Articles 134 and 134-A, Revised Penal Code), conspiracy to commit sedition (Article 141 in relation to Article 139, RPC) or, at the very least, inciting to sedition (Article 142, RPC), as well as illegal assemblies (Article 146, RPC),” she explained.

EDSA celebration

The President will lead this week’s celebration of the anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power with a number of events, starting with today’s Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) awarding ceremonies at Malacañang.

Tomorrow, the President will lead a wreath-laying ceremony at the People Power Monument, after which he will attend a mass at the EDSA Shrine.

“We commemorate the 29th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution – an extraordinary event that not only altered the course of our nation’s history but also showcased to the world the remarkable strength and resolve of the Filipino people. On this day, millions of our countrymen gathered along EDSA to end an oppressive dictatorship and begin a new era marked by true freedom and democracy,” Lacierda said.

“Over the years, we have continued to remember this momentous occasion by honoring the sacrifices of all those who fought the dictatorship and celebrating the liberation of our people,” he said.

Toward the end of the week, Aquino will welcome President François Hollande for a state visit to the Philippines – the first by a president of France since the establishment of diplomatic ties between both countries in 1947.

“Following the EDSA revolution, France was the first country to recognize the government of President Corazon Aquino. Apart from our mutual ideals of liberty and democracy, France and the Philippines also share a robust economic partnership – one which the two heads of state will seek to expand during President Hollande’s visit. Other topics expected to be tackled during the bilateral meeting include global issues such as terrorism and climate change,” Lacierda said.– With Rhodina Villanueva, Helen Flores, Edu Punay