14 September 2005
LGUs backing GMA plan counter-rallies
LINGAYEN – Local government units in the entire country are now seeking the go-signal to mobilize their forces in order to neutralize the street protests of the opposition, civil society and militant groups calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
This was disclosed by Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico, Jr., president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, who said if the opposition can gather throngs of people in their anti-Arroyo rallies, the LGUs can gather much bigger crowds in support of the President.
Unfazed by reports that former President Corazon C. Aquino and actress Susan Roces are spearheading the rallies for the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo, Guico believed these moves will not succeed because the people are now tired of people power.
“These rallies will only (compound) the economic problems of the country, fan chaos and confrontations which will not do good to the country and the people,” Guico said.
He said the opposition men must respect the decision of Congress that junked the complaint of impeachment against President Arroyo which they themselves participated in but failed to muster the magic number of 79 to send the complaint directly to the Senate for trial.
Unfortunately, they did not have the numbers, so the impeachment complaint failed to reach the senate, Guico said, adding that it would have been the other way around had the opposition succeeded in convincing some more endorsers, he said.
Guico is a second cousin of Mrs. Arroyo.
This was disclosed by Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico, Jr., president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, who said if the opposition can gather throngs of people in their anti-Arroyo rallies, the LGUs can gather much bigger crowds in support of the President.
Unfazed by reports that former President Corazon C. Aquino and actress Susan Roces are spearheading the rallies for the resignation of Mrs. Arroyo, Guico believed these moves will not succeed because the people are now tired of people power.
“These rallies will only (compound) the economic problems of the country, fan chaos and confrontations which will not do good to the country and the people,” Guico said.
He said the opposition men must respect the decision of Congress that junked the complaint of impeachment against President Arroyo which they themselves participated in but failed to muster the magic number of 79 to send the complaint directly to the Senate for trial.
Unfortunately, they did not have the numbers, so the impeachment complaint failed to reach the senate, Guico said, adding that it would have been the other way around had the opposition succeeded in convincing some more endorsers, he said.
Guico is a second cousin of Mrs. Arroyo.
