Palace scores ex-DND chief, insists polls to push through

Insisting there will be elections in 2010, Malacañang angrily dismissed on Thursday the claims by former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. of possible martial rule and no-election (No-El) scenarios to keep President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in power. Press Secretary Cerge Remonde accused Cruz of spreading "speculation and black propaganda" after the influential law firm he belongs to, dubbed “The Firm," is supposedly not in good terms with the Arroyo administration. "Hindi dapat bigyan natin ng pansin ang mga sinasabi ni Nonong Cruz, mga rehashed, old issues. The president has spoken several times. There will be elections in 2010, walang basehan ang sinasabing yan ni former defense secretary (Cruz)," Remonde said in an interview on dzXL radio. (What Nonong Cruz said were rehashed, old issues. The president has spoken several times, there will be elections in 2010. So Cruz’s claims are baseless.) For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines “thanked" Cruz for his "warning" but said it was not necessary. Military information chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said AFP chief General Victor Ibrado already said the AFP would not be beholden to any individual or group with political ambition. Brawner assured Cruz the AFP is professional and "solid and united behind our Constitution." "Di na kailangan ang paalala ni dating Secretary of Defense Cruz pero nagpapasalamat kami dahil may kakampi kami. Sinasabi niya, parang nire-reinforce niya ang sinasabi ng AFP (Cruz’s warning is not needed but we thank him for it. We consider him an ally because he reinforced what we have been saying)," he said in a separate interview on dzXL. Cruz, who resigned from his post in 2006 after a falling-out with the Arroyo administration, had told a forum in Pasig City Wednesday of a “disturbing trend" that the 2010 polls will be canceled. At Wednesday’s forum, Cruz urged the AFP to stay loyal to the 1987 Constitution and to "defy unlawful orders" from their superiors in the military. But Remonde said Cruz is "ignorant" if he is implying that martial law, which former President Ferdinand Marcos decreed in 1972, will be a snap to declare this time. He said the 1987 Constitution decrees that Martial Law can be declared only with the consent of Congress. Under Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution, the President can declare martial law, but after 48 hours, he or she should submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. "The Congress, voting jointly, by vote of at least a majority of all its Members or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President," the provision says. No to Charter change When he was still DND chief, Cruz had also voiced strong opposition to the determined attempt of Arroyo supporters to push through with the so-called “people’s initiative" to amend the Constitution. In one stormy Cabinet meeting on the issue, Cruz said he opposed people’s initiative as “legally hare-brained and constitutionally infirm." But Remonde cast aspersions on Cruz’s background. Cruz is one of the founding partners of the prominent Carpio Cruz Villaraza law firm, also known as “The Firm." Other co-founders include Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Athur Villaraza. In Thursday’s interview, Remonde said “The Firm" had peddled influence with past administrations. "Lalo na coming as he does from a law firm that is known to have been dominating the legal and political landscape in almost all administrations. Marami ring influence-peddling situation di siguro nakuha ang gusto gawin sa administrasyong ito kaya gusto nilang siraan," he said. (Cruz comes from a law firm known to dominate the legal and political landscape in almost all administrations. This firm where he belongs has been engaged in influence-peddling but did not get its way with this administration.) Remonde likewise questioned Cruz’s motivation, saying that during times of crisis, "Cruz was made chairman of several agencies, but he was already against us. So it is hard to trust a guy like him." GMANews.TV tried to get Cruz's reaction to Remonde's tirades against him but was told that the former defense chief was in a meeting. Who is Avelino Cruz Jr.? Cruz served as Mrs. Arroyo’s chief presidential legal counsel from January 2001 to January 2004. In August 2004, he was appointed as Defense Secretary – a post he relinquished in November 2006. Prior to Cruz’s resignation, eight Cabinet members and two bureau heads tendered their resignations at the height of the “Hello, Garci" controversy. The group is now known as the Hyatt 10 because they announced their resignations in a press conference at the Hyatt Hotel in Pasay City. The group called for Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation saying she “can be part of the solution of this crisis by making the supreme sacrifice for God and country to voluntarily relinquish her office." - with reports from Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV