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12-14-2005, 06:51 PM
(http://search.gulfnews.com/home/index.html#)
I'm the leader, says ex-general (http://search.gulfnews.com/articles.htm)
http://search.gulfnews.com/world/Philippines/10004973.html
12/15/2005 12:37 AM | By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
Manila: A former defence chief on Wednesday said he has formed a transitional government, adding that he and members of his group would gather in a private club in suburban San Juan to await President Gloria Arroyo to resign, following her return from Malaysia.
"I have created a transitional government. We are not having a coup plot. We want a peaceful takeover of power," said Fortunato Abat, 80, ex-defence chief of former president Fidel Ramos.
"I am the head of the revolutionary transition government," said Abat in a press conference, which was attended by former ambassador to the UAE, Roy Seņeres, ex-budget secretary Salvador Enriquez, and a certain Emmanuel Cruz.
Abat named Seņeres as head of the justice sector, Enriquez as head of public sector, and Cruz as head of the political sector.
Abat dramatically signed two documents, one of which said, "I hereby proclaim the establishment of a Government of Unity for National Survival."
"This proclamation is in exercise of the sovereign right of the people to act to save the country from a governance which is morally bankrupt, distrusted by over two-thirds of the citizenry, in paralysis, and unable to provide effective and competent leadership," the document said.
Abat signed a second document, which was a declaration of a transition council "to administer the affairs of government".
"I ask the heads of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw support for President Arroyo. Protect the sovereign right of the people," ordered Abat.
He also said "I am awaiting for several military officers to come forward and declare support."
He refused to name the politicians who have joined him.
"We will stay at Club Filipino until Thursday to mount political pressure on President Arroyo," Abat said, adding, "We still believe that Mrs. Arroyo will have that kind of love for the country, patriotism to be able to step down."
"I have people power," he claimed, adding the 300 people who joined his group at Club Filipino in suburban San Juan at midnight of Tuesday, on the eve of the first death anniversary of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr was "only a small portion of those who will rally for power change."
The PNP have deployed troops outside of Club Filipino to monitor Abat's group.
In early June, the opposition asked for Arroyo to resign, on charges that she had cheated Poe of over a million vote in the May 2004 presidential elections.
Reaction
Bunye calls declaration pathetic
Reacting to Abat's declaration, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said, "He is a person in his second childhood. We appreciate the concern of the former general but you know this declaration is pathetic and unfortunate."
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez derided Abat's acts, saying, "We can tolerate them. They don't have a military component."
"Too bad, he could have given a good ending to his very brilliant and colourful career," said Gonzalez, adding that Abat has failed in the past to make true his desire to lead a transition government against Arroyo.
Abat's declaration came after security officials identified one general and four colonels, including two retired police officials, as leaders of the failed coup plot against Arroyo last Sunday.
One of the colonels had campaigned for Poe in the May 2004 polls. The other colonel was an Arroyo ally.
With inputs from Ronnel Pelovello, Correspondent
I'm the leader, says ex-general (http://search.gulfnews.com/articles.htm)
http://search.gulfnews.com/world/Philippines/10004973.html
12/15/2005 12:37 AM | By Barbara Mae Dacanay, Bureau Chief
Manila: A former defence chief on Wednesday said he has formed a transitional government, adding that he and members of his group would gather in a private club in suburban San Juan to await President Gloria Arroyo to resign, following her return from Malaysia.
"I have created a transitional government. We are not having a coup plot. We want a peaceful takeover of power," said Fortunato Abat, 80, ex-defence chief of former president Fidel Ramos.
"I am the head of the revolutionary transition government," said Abat in a press conference, which was attended by former ambassador to the UAE, Roy Seņeres, ex-budget secretary Salvador Enriquez, and a certain Emmanuel Cruz.
Abat named Seņeres as head of the justice sector, Enriquez as head of public sector, and Cruz as head of the political sector.
Abat dramatically signed two documents, one of which said, "I hereby proclaim the establishment of a Government of Unity for National Survival."
"This proclamation is in exercise of the sovereign right of the people to act to save the country from a governance which is morally bankrupt, distrusted by over two-thirds of the citizenry, in paralysis, and unable to provide effective and competent leadership," the document said.
Abat signed a second document, which was a declaration of a transition council "to administer the affairs of government".
"I ask the heads of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw support for President Arroyo. Protect the sovereign right of the people," ordered Abat.
He also said "I am awaiting for several military officers to come forward and declare support."
He refused to name the politicians who have joined him.
"We will stay at Club Filipino until Thursday to mount political pressure on President Arroyo," Abat said, adding, "We still believe that Mrs. Arroyo will have that kind of love for the country, patriotism to be able to step down."
"I have people power," he claimed, adding the 300 people who joined his group at Club Filipino in suburban San Juan at midnight of Tuesday, on the eve of the first death anniversary of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr was "only a small portion of those who will rally for power change."
The PNP have deployed troops outside of Club Filipino to monitor Abat's group.
In early June, the opposition asked for Arroyo to resign, on charges that she had cheated Poe of over a million vote in the May 2004 presidential elections.
Reaction
Bunye calls declaration pathetic
Reacting to Abat's declaration, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said, "He is a person in his second childhood. We appreciate the concern of the former general but you know this declaration is pathetic and unfortunate."
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez derided Abat's acts, saying, "We can tolerate them. They don't have a military component."
"Too bad, he could have given a good ending to his very brilliant and colourful career," said Gonzalez, adding that Abat has failed in the past to make true his desire to lead a transition government against Arroyo.
Abat's declaration came after security officials identified one general and four colonels, including two retired police officials, as leaders of the failed coup plot against Arroyo last Sunday.
One of the colonels had campaigned for Poe in the May 2004 polls. The other colonel was an Arroyo ally.
With inputs from Ronnel Pelovello, Correspondent