Big business group condemns Trillanes, Lim

A top official of one of the Philippines’s largest business groups on Thursday lambasted Senator Antonio Trillanes and Brigadier General Danilo Lim for “causing a commotion" that will have a negative impact on the country’s economy. “Trillanes and Lim are just saving their own skin in causing (a) commotion. That is just so irresponsible… This will definitely have an effect on our economy and the foreigners’ perception on our country," said Donald Dee, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. PCCI is an umbrella organization of about 20,000 small, medium and large corporations. Trillanes and Lim walked out of a Makati City courtroom on Thursday as they called upon the Filipino people to withdraw support from President Arroyo. Lim, who faces court martial proceedings in connection with a failed coup attempt last year, was to testify when the incident occurred. Dee said big business groups will not throw support behind Trillanes and Lim saying that the country’s focus should be improving the economy and not removing the President through extra-constitutional means. “We will never support anything extra-constitutional… our focus should be is sustaining the performance of this economy," Dee said. “Of course we should condemn any wrongdoing of any government but we must do it under the proper processes," Dee added. Dee urged the government to be firm and arrest Sen. Trillanes and Gen. Lim. He said the incident should be resolved quickly and the rule of law should be enforced. “Trillanes and company should be arrested. The government should do more and enforce the deadline. No extension should be given and arrest them all… The government should take an action for a swift resolution," Dee said. The government has imposed a 3 p.m. deadline for Trillanes and Lim’s surrender. - with Cheryl Arcibal, GMANews.TV