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Arroyo calls for doing away with dirty politics

A dove flies past President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as she waves during the ceremonies marking the 107th Independence Day at Luneta Park in Manila, Philippines yesterday. President Arroyo promised to safeguard the country's democracy and pursue economic reforms amidst allegations of election fraud and rumors of destabilization plots to oust her from power. PHOTO: EPA

Philippine security forces were on alert for anti-government demonstrations expected on Independence Day yesterday, but President Gloria Arroyo said she was not cowed by threats against her rule.

Marines were guarding highways around the capital, while riot police were on standby at vital installations, officials said.

Left-wing groups and those allied with the political opposition threatened mass protests on Independence Day to call for Arroyo's ouster.

However anti-government rallies on Saturday failed to draw the mass support organizers had hoped for. About 2,000 people from various opposition groups converged on the Manila post office in what was a relatively peaceful demonstration.

They planned to regroup late yesterday afternoon for mass outside a Manila Catholic seminary where an ex-government intelligence officer had sought refuge.

The officer, Samuel Ong, on Friday came out in public as the source of controversial taped conversations between Arroyo and an elections commisioner conspiring to cheat in last year's polls. He said his life was in danger.

Opposition senators have called on Arroyo to resign amid the allegations she rigged last year's presidential polls to beat Fernando Poe, the country's most popular movie star and a friend of deposed president Joseph Estrada.

Poe died of natural causes in December, while Estrada, whom Arroyo replaced in 2001 after a military-backed popular revolt ousted him, remains in detention over corruption charges.

The president has resisted the calls for her resignation, and called for unity.

"I am calling on everyone to do away with dirty politics and focus our energies to improve the economy," Arroyo said in a speech to mark the country's independence from Spanish rule 107 years ago.

"My countrymen, the flag is the symbol of power and determination. Mark it in stone, I will show this power and determination to uphold democracy and guide the country in the right direction."

Arroyo's family members have also been accused of accepting bribes from operators of an illegal numbers game called jueteng, the same allegations that were the basis for Estrada's impeachment and ouster.

"The president should explain to the public once and for all who the persons are in the tape," said Joe Dizon, a prominent priest who gave Ong the sanctuary.

"The church's position is that it will give sanctuary to anyone who is in danger," he said, adding that he expected police to allow protesters to peacefully converge at the seminary.

At a reception for diplomats on Saturday Arroyo vowed to maintain stability and asked for their support.

She noted that she had worked hard to bring the country "back on the world map" and took her role "very seriously."

"I have felt the political heat, but I'm still in the kitchen. I'm still in the kitchen because that's where I belong, to continue to make the tough choices to turn this economy around and no one will deter me from that mission," she said.

She accused her critics of creating the image that the country was "nothing more than a private sandbox for political intrigue."

This view, she said, was "dangerous and irresponsible" as she challenged the opposition to present a viable alternative to her leadership.
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