World | Philippines
Arroyo warns against political upheaval
President Gloria Arroyo aired a veiled warning to her detractors on Saturday, saying the world may not tolerate another "bloodless" political upheaval.
- By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
- Published: 01:13 February 24, 2008
- Soldiers on red alert in Quezon City, east of Manila, yesterday. The military has set up a special force to thwart attempts to oust President Gloria Arroyo.
- Image Credit: EPA
Manila: President Gloria Arroyo aired a veiled warning to her detractors on Saturday, saying the world may not tolerate another "bloodless" political upheaval.
The country is currently marking the three-day Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) Uprising.
"In my personal assessment, the world embraced EDSA I in 1986; the world tolerated EDSA II in 2001; but the world will not forgive an EDSA III - instead it will condemn the Philippines as a fractious political system that is hopelessly unstable" Arroyo said.
The president issued the warning during a 30-minute interview aired by radio station dzRH yesterday morning. Arroyo had been referring to EDSA I which took place exactly 22 years ago yesterday.
During the mass action to oust late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, tens of thousands of Filipinos took to the streets of Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue to denounce the autocratic regime.
Filipinos took inspiration from the first EDSA uprising to oust the similarly corrupt regime of president Joseph Estrada in 2001 in the same non-violent fashion.
But Arroyo said the world, much less Filipinos, may not tolerate an EDSA Uprising III. Arroyo said it would lead to foreign investors thinking twice about moving to the country.
"Foreign investors will have doubts on the stability of a country that is susceptible to political noise," she said.
Arroyo issued the statement amid renewed threats of an upheaval brought about by allegations that several government officials - as well as her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo - were involved in a $329.48 million (Dh1.2 billion) National Broadband Network project with China's Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corporation.
Arroyo said she had remained steadfast in her governance despite criticisms on the integrity of her administration.
"Filipinos want stability, it is clear the country needs political surefootedness, a clear economic direction and social justice, and this is what my administration is working to achieve," she said.
The president recalled the wisdom her late father, former president Diosdado Macapagal, imparted to her.
"My father advised me to do what is right, do your best and let God take care of the rest.
"The presidency is not a position to be enjoyed, it's a position where we have to work hard for the good of the people and, if necessary, you should be willing to suffer."
The renewed protests against Arroyo came in the wake of testimony given to the Senate last week by ZTE payoff whistle blower Rodolfo Lozada Junior, erstwhile president of the government-run Forest Corporation.
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