BACOLOR, PAMPANGA, MAY 2, 2009 (STAR) By Ding Cervantes - Opposition leader and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay disclosed here yesterday that there is no legal impediment to President Arroyo’s running for Congress in next year’s elections.
He said that if Charter change (Cha-cha) does not materialize and he is elected president in next year’s polls, he will file plunder charges against Mrs. Arroyo.
Binay echoed the same sentiment voiced by Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio. Binay met Panlilio yesterday morning at the King’s Royale Hotel here.
Panlilio made the same statement in a recent press conference amid proposals of some sectors for him to run for president in next year’s May elections. Panlilio had once exposed alleged bribery of local officials in a meeting in Malacañang.
Binay met Panlilio a few hours before Mrs. Arroyo arrived in Barangay San Basilio in Sta. Rita, Pampanga, and inspected a newly completed farm-to-market road.
He said that part of the proposal to amend the Constitution is to enable Mrs. Arroyo to extend her term.
“Let us be vigilant over allegations that only the economic concerns would be the concern of Charter change,” he said.
Binay said the issue to be brought before the Supreme Court would tackle only the legality of the means used to change the Charter.
He said there is no question that the proposal of the President’s supporters to shift to parliamentary system of government was to perpetuate her in power and protect her from possible charges that could be filed against her should she leave the presidency.
“For all the charges that could be filed against her and members of her family, it’s but natural (for the President to protect herself and her family),” he said.
Binay said the President is a registered voter of Lubao, Pampanga.
“Even if she has been absent for a long time in her town, there is the principle of animus rivertendi or her intent to return which can be used for election purposes,” he said.
Rep. Carmelo Lazatin of Angeles City admitted that pro-administration congressmen are considering Mrs. Arroyo as a candidate for congressman in Pampanga’s 2nd District amid plans for a Charter change to be presented in a plebiscite to coincide with next year’s elections.
Binay said the opposition is set to hold meetings starting this July to convince opposition presidential aspirants to unite and support a common candidate by September.
He said that former President Joseph Estrada has slated a series of meetings with opposition leaders, including the presidential aspirants.
If the opposition leaders fail to field a common candidate, Estrada is likely to run anew for president, he added.
Binay said he would not abandon his PDP-Laban party regardless of Estrada’s decision to pick the opposition bet.
“I am not a turncoat. I am a genuine member of PDP-Laban, a true oppositionist,” he stressed.
Binay declined to disclose what he and Panlilio talked about during their meeting which was off limits to the media, but noted his visit here was to sign sisterhood agreements between Makati City and the towns of Macabebe, Sto. Tomas, and Magalang in this province.
Panlilio also declined to reveal what he and Binay discussed, but told media that he has not made up his mind on what to do in the 2010 polls, amid proposals from some sectors for him to run for president.
Meanwhile, United Opposition (UNO) spokesman Adel Tamano denied that the opposition is destabilizing the administration.
“It is illogical for us in the opposition to destabilize this government. In a few months, we will be holding elections, and there is a great chance for the opposition to replace the Arroyo administration,” he told a news forum in Quezon City.
Tamano was commenting on reports on the claims of officials of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) that soldiers identified with the Magdalo group are plotting to destabilize the administration and even assassinate Mrs. Arroyo.
Opposition senators led by former Armed Forces chief of staff Rodolfo Biazon are questioning the PAOCC officials’ story.
They said they have information that the former soldiers were just training for VIP (very important person) security in preparation for overseas employment.
Some officials in Angeles City and Clark have also raised questions about the alleged arrest of the former soldiers.
Tamano said it is in the interest of the opposition that the Arroyo government remains stable until next year’s elections.
“We will not do anything to destabilize it. Any destabilization effort will not come from the ranks of the opposition and other critics of Mrs. Arroyo,” he said. — With Jess Diaz
