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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