Detained ex-general Lim claims junta exists

There is no need for an election failure to spark a military takeover, because the much-feared junta is already here, except that civilian leaders are the ones trampling upon democratic institutions. This was claimed on Tuesday by detained former general and senatorial candidate Danilo Lim, who said the nine-year administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo already resembles a junta where there is the "total disregard for the basic functions of democracy." "They continue to scare us with lies that the only alternative to Mrs. Arroyo’s rule is a military junta, not minding the fact that the junta we are so terrified of is already here," Lim said in a statement. Lim’s statement was an offshoot of the snowballing opposition against the possibility of a military takeover should the May 10 elections fail. The idea of a junta was first floated by presidential deputy spokesperson Charito Planas, but Malacañang later retracted her statement. The Armed Forces likewise denied preparing for a possible junta. On Tuesday, Lim said there exists civilian junta led by President Arroyo’s so-called "loyalists" in the legislative and judicial branches of government. He was referring to the House of Representatives dominated by Mrs. Arroyo's allies and the Supreme Court that recently gave her authority to appoint a new chief justice despite what was initially perceived as a constitutional ban on midnight appointments two months before the elections. "From a credibility-challenged election body in partnership with some corrupt military officers, a Gloria-rubberstamp legislature up to a muted judiciary, one can sense that the country has been taken hostage by Mrs. Arroyo and her gang of cronies and seasoned trapos. If this is not a dictatorship, if this is not a junta, then I don’t know what this is anymore," Lim said. 'Rhetoric, baseless' Reacting to Lim’s statement, Malacañang said Lim’s "florid rhetoric" is "baseless." "He [Lim] presents no evidence that rights are being trampled upon, let alone to the extent possible under a martial dictatorship which we do not have," deputy presidential spokesperson Gary Olivar said in a text message to GMANews.TV. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has yet to issue a statement regarding Lim’s allegations. Lim is facing rebellion charges in connection with the November 2007 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. He also faces charges of mutiny before a military court concerning the February 2006 coup. He is part of the Liberal Party’s senatorial ticket and a guest candidate of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino party led by former President Joseph Estrada. Earlier this month, Lim warned of a military revolt should Mrs. Arroyo appoint Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s successor. Puno retires on May 17, which falls on the period when appointments are prohibited. The Supreme Court, however, ruled that the judiciary is exempt from the ban. Also on Tuesday, Lim asked the military, particularly its chief of staff, Gen. Delfin Bangit, to remain nonpartisan and to uphold the rule of law. "At a time when the military is again seen with suspicious eyes, unjustly accused of plotting against democracy, now is the perfect time to show to the people, the real resolve of the AFP. The military must side with the people if it wants to earn the civilians’ trust and respect," Lim said. — RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV