Ramos warns Arroyo on no-election plan

[explorer]

Ramos warns Arroyo on no-election plan
Threatens to pull out support for President

First posted 00:55am (Mla time) Dec 23, 2005
By Cynthia D. Balana
Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Dec. 23, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

FORMER PRESIDENT Fidel V. Ramos yesterday rejected as a "monumental blunder" a proposal to scrap elections in 2007 and threatened to withdraw support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo unless she declared by New Year's Day that she opposed the move.

"I can say that my support is waning right now," Ramos said in a nationally televised interview with ANC, reacting to the recommendation last week by the 55-member Constitutional Commission (ConCom) to get rid of the upcoming balloting for local offices, Congress and half of the Senate, extend the term of incumbent officials and pave the way for parliamentary elections in 2010.

The former military chief's declaration of support for Ms Arroyo in July was regarded as a key factor that saved her administration from collapse in the midst of mounting calls for her resignation. This followed revelations in the "Hello Garci" wiretaps that suggested she stole last year's elections.

The 77-year-old Ramos said he had no problem with the parliamentary system proposed by the 55-member commission handpicked by Ms Arroyo to recommend amendments to the Constitution to replace the presidential system.

"That's the first basic step that must be taken. But on the no elections, I consider that a monumental blunder," he said.

"I'm not giving her a deadline or ultimatum," Ramos said of his call on Ms Arroyo to state by Jan. 1 her position on the proposed scratching of the 2007 polling. "But the issues are so crucial that any further delay will bring us closer and closer to the brink of economic and political failure."

House Speaker Jose de Venecia also distanced himself from the proposal to cancel the 2007 balloting, as part of a transition to the parliamentary system. De Venecia yesterday said that he personally believed that lawmakers, as a general rule and as a matter of principle, "should not benefit from their actions."

'Congress has final say'

Ms Arroyo's political adviser, Gabriel Claudio, said in response to the Ramos statement that the commission’s position on the 2007 balloting was simply a recommendation to Congress which would decide on the whole package of proposals to shift the country to the parliamentary system.

Claudio said that voting in the commission on the no-election proposal was slim -- "perhaps a soft one at that." He said he hoped that lawmakers would be able to make a "prudent and judicious discernment on the issue."

"We are confident that they will assess not only the substance of the recommendations but also the circumstances, rationale and bases behind them," Claudio said.

Lawmakers, he said, would take into account "the propriety and public opinion factor and how a no-election scenario will strengthen or weaken the chances for the approval of the more substantive amendment proposals."

Only a transition mechanism

"The no-election proposal was probably only made as a transition mechanism for the attainment of that objective, the acceptability of which can still be subjected to wider consultations," he added.

Reacting as well to Ramos' opinion, commission chair Jose Abueva merely reiterated that the no-election proposal was included in the Charter change proposals because it was the majority decision.

Abueva said the ConCom recommendations were put forward for Congress to scrutinize and hopefully consider.

Ramos has repeatedly said that his support for the President was only incidental and conditional on her willingness to cut short her term and shift the form of government from presidential to parliamentary. In the ANC interview, he indicated that the 2007 elections could resolve the question of Ms Arroyo's legitimacy.

Ms Arroyo, 58, survived an impeachment attempt in the House of Representatives in September over allegations she manipulated the May 2004 elections.

No meaningful reforms

Ramos said he was disappointed that the constitutional commission's report did not meet his expectations, particularly on his proposals to effect meaningful political and judicial reforms.

He said he had received minutes of the commission's discussions until Dec. 12 when the issues of no election and the extension of term limits had not yet cropped up.

"Let's credit all of the members of the ConCom for working so hard. And if that's the majority position, so be it," Ramos said.

"But to me there is a mystery during the last 12 hours of the commission. The hasty endorsement to Congress to me smacks of a precooked scenario -- those provisions that had to do with keeping people in power without elections."

Ramos challenged the President to make public the final report of the commission.

He said he himself had opposed constitutional change pertaining to the reelection of the President and the lifting of term limits of elected officials when he was still president.

Beholden commission

Ramos also slammed Malacañang's creation of the commission whose members, he said, were appointed by the President and made them beholden to her.

"My proposal was a high commission of leaders, maybe seven to 11, who are experienced, tested, respected leaders of their respective sectors to work parallel with the constituent assembly assuming that the constituent assembly was established beforehand," he said.

Ramos also said he was not imposing his suggestions on the President but was merely stating his opinion as "a senior citizen who had been there."

On retired General Fortunato Abat's arrest for espousing a transitional government to replace the Arroyo administration, Ramos said he respected his classmate and former defense secretary.

But he said the Abat move was a "no-win" solution to the present economic and political turmoil.

"On the other hand, we should expect his actions in terms of waking up people. In that sense, he's making himself a sacrificial lamb which is the character of General Abat and his family. In that sense, he has done something but I don't know if that will contribute to any success to solve the nation's problems," he added.

[RedHorse]

coup na yan!

[CtrlAltDel]

I think Mrs. Arrovo, I mean Arroyo is one sharp, clever politician. Palagi kong naririnig pero wala akong alam dyan sa no-el na yan.

However, taking it all in view: no-election in 2007, the subjection of Hacienda Luisita to agrarian reform, the harrasment of the business of Meralco, and the ABS-CBN negative publicity on Malacanang- Pres. GMA is quietly eliminating dangers to her presidency.

[RedHorse]

her presidency is secured by one unrepaired F16, and another F16 in good condition, both of which are parked at naia

[Juan Tamad]

coup na yan!

Yup. Ginalit ni PANDAK si Tabako!!!! Expect coup anytime.

[explorer]

kung mag succeed ang coup, segurado NOEL (no election talaga) kasi bagong revolutionary government na naman.

[konde]

Yup. Ginalit ni PANDAK si Tabako!!!! Expect coup anytime.

nakowpo! wag naman sana kasi patay na naman ang bansang pilipinas!

[nugundam93]

her presidency is secured by one unrepaired F16, and another F16 in good condition, both of which are parked at naia

are they still in naia?

[number001]

are they still in naia?

Yep, both F16's are still there. The damaged F16 just received a new engine, which was brought in specially for it on C-130 last Dec 8. The repaired F16 managed to do a successful test flight at NAIA three days ago.

[number001]

Why doesnt Tabako just disappear from the political scene. The guy has lots of skeletons in his closet also.