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Philippine leader denies rigging election
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-28 09:20
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo denied rigging last year's
ballot but apologized Monday for "a lapse in judgment" in telling a Philippine
election official she wanted a million-vote victory margin.
In a nationally televised speech, Arroyo said she would not resign and
appealed for unity as she addressed the 3-week-old political crisis over the
wiretapped phone conversation. The disclosure of that phone call has prompted
calls for Arroyo to resign with five years left in her term.
Philippines President Gloria Arroyo looks on
before delivering her statement in a live television addressed to the
nation at the Malacanang presidential palace, in Manila. Arroyo apologized
to the nation after admitting she called an elections commissioner during
last year's election but denied rigging the vote.
[AFP] | "I recognize that making any such call was
a lapse in judgment," a somber Arroyo said.
"I am sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter
... I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governing."
Reconciliation appeared to be far away, however, as opposition groups vowed
to pursue protests and legal steps against her.
"This sparked many more questions than just the president admitting she was
the one on the tape," opposition Rep. Francis Escudero said. "But this is the
first important step toward the country finding out the truth."
Filipino protesters hold slogans with pictures
of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as they call for her
ouster in Manila Monday June 27, 2005.[AP] | Rep. Roilo Golez, a former national security adviser under Arroyo, withdrew
support for her late Monday, saying she should resign because she had lost her
moral authority to lead, and warning the issue would paralyze Congress when in
convenes next month.
Eddie Villanueva, who finished fourth in the election, said Arroyo should
call a special election. Popular action film actor Fernando Poe Jr., who
finished second — 1.1 million votes behind Arroyo — died from a stroke in
December.
Several House committees began hearings last week on the wiretap tapes of the
conversation between Arroyo and former Election Commissioner Virgilio
Garcillano, which Arroyo said occurred when the May 2004 election results
already were forecast, but the final numbers had not been announced.
In the recordings, a woman sounding like Arroyo is heard discussing with
Garcillano ways to secure a million-vote margin in the ballot. The government
later prohibited broadcasting of the recording.
"I take full responsibility for my actions. To you and to all those good
citizens who may have had their faith shaken by this event, I want to assure you
that I have redoubled my efforts to serve the nation and earn your trust,"
Arroyo said Monday.
Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye said it was time to move on.
"There is nothing illegal here," Bunye said in a statement. "The only value
in pursuing this at this point is political embarrassment. No doubt her
detractors will continue to stoke the controversy for their own personal gain.
But for most reasonable people, this issue is now behind us."
But the opposition and leftist groups that have held street protests against
Arroyo, whose popularity rating plummeted to a record low just before the
scandal broke, said they would not let up.
"She has admitted guilt," said leftist Rep. Teodoro Casino. "It was an
illegal act, not simple lapse of judgment. The next proper thing for her to do
is to resign or be impeached."
About 500 people attending a candlelight protest in suburban Quezon City
snarled traffic by burning tires.
"There is no other recourse but to double our efforts to oust her," Renato
Reyes, secretary general of the leftist group Bayan, told the crowd.
The scandal erupted as Arroyo grappled with daunting problems, including
rising oil prices, a huge budget deficit and security issues.
She also has been damaged by accusations her son and brother-in-law, both
members of Congress, pocketed huge illegal gambling payoffs. The two have denied
the allegations.
A lawyer critical of the government, Oliver Lozano, filed an impeachment
complaint against Arroyo at the House on Monday, calling her a "bogus
president."
The prospects for the complaint were difficult to ascertain. At least one
member of the 236-member Congress has to endorse the complaint if it is to be
considered for discussion.
Lawmakers have been debating whether the recordings, reportedly made during
illegal wiretaps by military intelligence agents, could be used in legal
proceedings.
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