Arroyo defends martial law, refuses to apologize for it

(Updated 12:20 p.m.) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo defended her declaration of martial law in Maguindanao in her first ever public speech since the decree, saying she did not have to apologize for it. In her address at a teachers’ gathering in Malacañang on Tuesday morning, the President said she issued the decree "based on sound information and clear reading of the Constitution." "We make no apologies for acting where others fear to tread," she added. Mrs. Arroyo declared martial rule in most parts of Maguindanao on December 4, but lifted it eight days later following protests, legal suits and questions from lawmakers. The President issued Proclamation 1959 on the ground that there was a looming rebellion by followers of the Ampatuans, who allegedly masterminded the massacre of 57 persons on Nov. 23. Congress adjourned its joint session on Monday night without taking a stand on the Palace edict, but critics are seeking judicial review of what was allegedly the Executive’s abuse of power. Hours before the adjournment, the Senate also passed a resolution expressing its disapproval of the martial law declaration, saying it violated the 1987 Constitution. Making tough choices In her speech, the President said inaction would have led to "dire consequences," adding that she had to make a tough choice. "The nation faced a rebellion that could have ignited total chaos in Maguindanao and likely spread throughout Mindanao. As President, I had a constitutional obligation to defend this nation from internal rebellion just as i do from external aggression," she added. "Being a President is about making tough choices. Sometimes, the path to those choices is very clear. But sometimes it is shrouded in fog." While critics slammed the President for signing Proclamation 1959 — with some going as far as speculating that it was a "test case" for a more expansive military rule — Mrs. Arroyo insists she did the right thing. The President said martial rule had been lifted since crucial objectives had been met, including the arrest of so-called rebel leaders and their accomplices, as well as the alleged murderers. She took pride in the government's accomplishments during the eight days that the province was under military rule, one of which was the "comprehensive investigation" into the November 23 massacre and the supposed rebellion that stemmed from it. Mrs. Arroyo said martial law had led to the arrest of at least 600 people, the recovery of 500,000 rounds of ammunition, and a shakeup in key positions of the regional government. The government, she added, was protecting terrified witnesses of the carnage "so that justice would truly be served." To her detractors, especially those vying for the presidential post next year Arroyo said: "It's time for action, not just tough talk." Mrs. Arroyo also said they had no faith in the Constitution. "Our critics dragged their feet and took their time grandstanding when the situation demanded decisive action." Critics not surprised Meanwhile, opposition senators said they were not surprised by the President's refusal to apologize for issuing the proclamation. "Apologies from GMA (Mrs Arroyo's initials) are as alien to her as extraterrestrial beings are alien to us," Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. said in a text message to GMANews.TV. He said the President does not respect the Constitution. "Her personal agenda prevails over national welfare." In a separate text message, Senator Francis Pangilinan said he would have been surprised had Mrs. Arroyo changed her mind. "That's not news. We don't expect the President to do a 180-degree turn on her decision to declare martial law. That's not [her] characteristic. It would have been news if she changed her mind," the lawmaker said. For his part, Senator Francis Escudero said it was not a question of whether Mrs. Arroyo should apologize, but a matter of doing what is right and legal. "Whether she apologizes or not, she must be made accountable for her actions and inaction," the senator said. In a statement, Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III said the President must still be held accountable, adding that she had deprived Congress of its mandate to provide guidelines for the correct exercise of presidential powers. He also said the supposed gains from the decree could have been achieved without the proclamation. Senator Panfilo Lacson said the President's defense of Proclamation 1959 gives the people more reason "to suspect that [she] was out to assist the Ampatuans by providing the legal technicality to get them off the hook by using inadmissibility of evidence acquired through illegal searches." Congress preempted On December 6, Mrs. Arroyo submitted a report to Congress justifying martial rule in most parts of Maguindanao. Under the Constitution, Congress is empowered to revoke a martial law proclamation through a majority vote. But before lawmakers could vote, the Palace lifted the decree on the night of December 12. The lifting came days after some lawmakers said they were smelling a conspiracy to place the entire country under martial rule — a feat last done by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos 37 years ago. Meanwhile, after being sworn in last week in Manila, newly installed Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Ansaruddin Adiong went back to work on Monday. While some schools in Shariff Aguak — a known stronghold of the prime suspects in the massacre — have yet to reopen, some residents have returned to their homes. — Mark Merueñas, Amita Legaspi, LBG/NPA, GMANews.TV