Arroyo to explain martial law decision before Copenhagen trip

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will finally break her silence and explain last week’s controversial imposition of martial law in Maguindanao province, a Palace official said Monday. At a press briefing in Malacañang, presidential spokesperson on economic affairs Gary Olivar said Mrs. Arroyo will deliver a speech on Proclamation 1959 before she leaves for the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen on Wednesday. “Obviously there are opinions and insights that she wishes to share. She would like to do that before she leaves. Everyone has been asking her to speak personally and directly about this and finally they have their wishes satisfied," Olivar said. Olivar said the President will discuss “in greater detail" the results of the week-long martial rule in Maguindanao, which include the arrest and filing of charges against the suspects, protection of witnesses, seizure of firearms and rounds of ammunition, disclosure of unexplained wealth, restoration of governance in Maguindanao, and the prevention of another cycle of revenge killings. Last week, two Mindanao lawmakers slammed Mrs. Arroyo for not personally reporting to Congress on her decision to put Maguindanao under martial rule on December 4. The 1987 Constitution states that “within 48 hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress." Mrs. Arroyo submitted her 20-page report, signed by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, to the Senate and the Lower House the next day. But Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen said that while Mrs. Arroyo had the option not to attend the joint session in Congress, she should have nonetheless showed up in recognition of what was considered a "historic event" in Philippine legislature. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel shared Dilangalen's position that President Arroyo should have participated as it was Ermita who signed the report. Olivar earlier said that the President was not able to attend the joint session because she attended to “more important matters." He added that highlighting President’s Arroyo’s absence was a "diversion" from the real issue, which was to deliberate the merits of the martial law proclamation. On the first day of the session, Mrs. Arroyo was visiting her home province of Pampanga, where she is seeking a congressional seat, and the province of Bulacan. - Aie Balagtas See/JV, GMANews.TV