Palace: No martial law before 2010 elections

A Malacañang official said on Sunday that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not declare martial law in the last months of her presidency, noting that there is no reason for it. Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar was allaying fears caused by the statements of some of the administration’s critics who claim that Mrs. Arroyo is apt to use martial law to postpone next year’s elections and consequently extend her stay in power. “Kung meron magsasabi ng ganon, dapat ay tanungin natin kung ano ang motibo nila sa pagkalat ng ganung klaseng mga paghihinala dahil wala naman po akong nakikitang dahilan," Olivar told Radyo ng Bayan in an interview. (We should ask those who are propagating that kind of scenario on what their motives are because I can’t see any reason why the President would declare a martial law and to postpone the elections.) Olivar gave the assurance on the eve of the 37th anniversary of martial law declaration on September 21, 1972 by then President Ferdinand Marcos. He described the martial law years under the Marcos regime as the darkest years in Philippine history. The Palace official likewise said that the 2010 elections – the first automated one on a national scale - would proceed in May despite the grim scenarios being painted by several government critics.

“Tuloy po ang ating automated election. Maayos naman po ang proseso ng pangangampanya (the automated elections will proceed) so we don’t see any reason for this kind of [martial law] suspicions in the long run," he said. Emergency powers Fears that the country might be placed under martial law ahead of the elections once again surfaced last week after Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said Mrs. Arroyo may need “emergency powers" to deal with the looming energy crisis. Senator Panfilo Lacson branded Reyes’ statement as "dangerous" and "ill-advised." “Emergency power... that’s tantamount to declaration of Martial Law, with some modifications of course. That’s an ill-advised comment coming from the Secretary of Energy himself," he said. He added that Reyes' statement could be seen as an attempt by the administration to “condition" the mind of the public regarding widespread brownouts during the election season. “And that’s very dangerous," Lacson said. Reyes is a known ally of Mrs. Arroyo. He was instrumental in catapulting her to presidency when he, as the Armed Forces chief in 2001, withdrew his support from then President Joseph Estrada at the height of the so-called EDSA Dos People Power revolution. Never again Meanwhile, militant groups will commemorate the declaration of martial law on Monday by marching to Mendiola Bridge in Malacañang and urging presidential bets to ensure that justice is achieved for both the victims of the Marcos dictatorship and the Arroyo regime. “We join the nation in commemorating this dark period in our nation’s history along with the strong resolve to never again allow the terror of martial rule to be imposed on the Filipino people. We ask those aspiring for office to make the same pledge," said Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan). Reyes said presidential bets must make sure that justice is achieved for both the victims of the Marcos dictatorship and the Arroyo regime. Olivar, for his part, noted Malacañang's continued support for the passage of the bill aimed at giving just compensation to the victims of human rights during the martial law period. Marcos on September 21, 1972 declared Martial law through the issuance of Proclamation 1081 to address civil strife and threats of communism. It, however, became unpopular following alleged excesses and human rights abuses by the military. - with Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV