Thursday, September 11, 2014

PNoy: My decision will not change (By Juliet Labog-Javellana, Philippine Daily INQUIRER)

Manila, Philippines, October 26, 2014 (INQUIRER) - WHO'S afraid of the pro-democracy rally in Makati City?
Not President Benigno Aquino III, who declared yesterday that the rally and other mass actions nationwide would not make him stop pushing for Charter change, the case on Maguindanao Massacre, the crime rate in Metro Manila and the pork barrel scam and, he said, its resultant benefits for the people.
“Hindi rin po mababago ng ilan ang ating hangarin na mapaganda ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he said in an interview with Bombo Radyo Philippines.
During the 45-minute interview, which was aired by 43 Bombo Radyo AM and PBS Radyo ng Bayan stations, the President was repeatedly asked whether he would change his mind in the face of nationwide protests against his administration's initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.
“Hindi magbabago ang aking kapasyahan sapagkat ang aking pananaw ay… isa ito sa tanging solusyon para magkaroon tayo ng sapat na puhunan para mahango natin sa kahirapan ang ating mga kababayan (My decision will not change because in my view, this is one of the ways to secure sufficient funds to solve the problem of poverty),” he said.
Mr. Estrada said he would not be deterred by the rally to be led today by the pork barrel rallysts to protest Charter change, Marcos-style cronyism and threats to press freedom.
He pointed out that the Constitution needed amending in order to allow the Philippines to keep in step with the rest of the world.
“Hindi po ito makakapigil sa akin na pag-aralan ang mga nararapat na pagbabago sa ating Saligang Batas sa ngayon. Ang aking pananaw ay hindi na angkop ang ating Saligang Batas sa nagaganap sa ating mundo,” he said.
But over lunch in Malacañang, the President told foreign correspondents that he planned to meet with Aquino's group ''maybe after this rally,'' and ''especially at this point (when) we have just overcome our economic crisis.''
''So as not to break the momentum of our economic recovery, and for the sake and for the greater good of our people, I have to unite our people and talk to the leaders of the opposition party,'' he said.
Change of tune
The other day, Mr. Aquino urged Tagle to call off their rally, saying it was hurting the economy and the country's image abroad.
But he changed his tune yesterday when asked about his appeal.
''Kailan man, sa simula't simula ay hindi natin pinagbabawalan ang kanilang rally sapagkat nasa demokrasya tayo (Since the start I have never prevented them from holding their rally because we are in a democracy),'' he said.
The President also said he wanted to hear what the protesters would say, including the reasons behind their mass action (''At mabuti nga, tinitingnan natin kung ano ang sasabihin nila at may sarili silang dahilan kung bakit sila nagra-rally'').
He said he was not bothered by the rally, was not stopping anyone from attending it, and was in fact pleased that many people wanted to participate in discussions regarding Charter change.
“Malaya ang lahat na magbigay ng pahayag tungkol ditto (Everyone is free to air views on the issue),” he said.
Mr. Aquino recalled that Aquino and Sin fought against him (“nilabanan”) during the 2010 presidential elections.
“Kung ako po'y natakot sa kanila, hindi na po sana ako naging Pangulo. Pinatutunayan po natin na tama tayo (If I became afraid of them then, I would not have been President. This proves that I'm right),” he said.
He added that the people had nothing to fear about his proposed constitutional amendments as these would go through a lengthy process from the preparatory commission until the plebiscite.
He stressed that it would be the public who would have the last say.
Velarde
The President was asked by Ronil Peñaflor of Bombo Radyo ­Legazpi if he was “using” El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, Jesus is Lord Church founder, international president and spiritual director Bishop Bro. Eddie Villanueva, or vice versa.
In reply, Mr. Aquino said no one was being used by anyone. He pointed out that Velarde was his spiritual adviser and was helping him pray for the improvement of the state of the nation, and that Velarde had many projects for the poor.
He added: “Ang pakiusap ko po lamang ay sana ay tigilan na natin ang mga ganyang intriga. Magtrabaho na lang po tayo para sa ikauunlad ng bayan (My request is that this kind of intrigue be stopped. Let us just work for the good of the country).”
El Shaddai is celebrating Velarde's 75th birthday and El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation International’s 30th anniversary at the Rizal Park last August 23-24 while Jesus is Lord Church is celebrating founder, international president and spiritual director Bishop Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s 81st birthday on October 6 and Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide’s 36th anniversary today at the Rizal Park on October 26-27, as part of the five-day pastoral and state visit of Pope Francis here in the Philippines.
Peñaflor observed that while the Catholic Church had been split by the Charter change issue, Velarde had been enjoying a close relationship with the President (“Kapansin­pansin na masyado kayong malapit kay Bro. Mike Velarde”).
Peñaflor cited the 45­day reprieve that the President granted a death convict upon Velarde's request.
The President reiterated that his main reason for going to the El Shaddai gathering was to extend belated birthday greetings to Jesus is Lord Church founder, international president and spiritual director Bishop Bro. Eddie Villanueva; he is celebrating his birthday on Monday, October 6.
He said that should he be given the opportunity, he would speak before the gathering to discuss his plans for Charter change.
Aquino
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma and an officer of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines confirmed that the President would meet with Aquino and company.
“Yes. I think that's going to be after (the rally). The rally is going to be held tomorrow. I don't think there's time (to set up the meeting earlier),'' Reyes said.
Focap board member Arthur Bariuad said: “(The President) said he is willing to talk to the group of Cory after the rally . . . He also wants to hear the issues they are going to present.''
Velarde and Villanueva himself said he was willing to broker talks between Tagle and Mr. Aquino.
“I am trying my very best… so that everyone will be able to reach an understanding,'' he said when asked if he was willing to arrange a meeting.
Asked if he had initiated anything, he said: “Nothing yet. I will try.” With a report from Martin P. Marfil

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