Palace braces for rally; opposition sees 50,000 in attendance

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang warned participants of the interfaith rally to be held Friday in Makati City to closely monitor their ranks to prevent unscrupulous elements from taking advantage of their event. "The rally will be monitored by authorities [but] the rallyists should police their own ranks to avoid infiltration," said Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita in a radio interview. Mr. Ermita said authorities received reports stating that some leftist groups are planning to infiltrate the rally, which is expected to draw representatives from various political, religious, civil society and business groups. Earlier, opposition leader and Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay said around 50,000 will participate in the interfaith rally. Leah Navarro, executive director of civil society group Black and White Movement, said the rally will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. While the activity is supposed to be religious, participants are expected to reiterate their appeal for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign as the controversy on the supposedly overpriced National Broadband Network (NBN) have dragged her family and some Cabinet officials. Malacañang also warned rallyists against "false prophets" who may be using the event to further their self-interests. "We must heed the warning of the Holy Book on false prophets in our midst. While we all enjoy the blessings of our democracy, we must all protect the same from scheming groups or individuals who are bent on destroying our democratic way of life," said Deputy Presidential Spokesman Lorelei C. Fajardo in a statement. "We hope that the rally would serve as an occasion to heed the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) call for discernment and prayerful reflection." The CBCP earlier called on the public to engage in "communal action" by praying for social transformation and reflecting on the current state of the nation. In a related development, 18 priests from Pampanga trooped to Malacañang Thursday to pray for the President. The priests prayed during a brief rite held at Heroes’ Hall. Monsignor Eugenio Mercado, Jr. said they are not siding with any political group and that they are merely praying for unity and peace. For his part, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel M. Arroyo (2nd district) urged administration critics to spare his father, First Gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo, who is suffering from a heart disease. The First Gentleman was dragged in the NBN issue when losing bidder Jose P. de Venecia III claimed that Mr. Arroyo asked him to back off from the project. Security force Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director-General Avelino I. Razon, Jr. said they plan to deploy 5,000 members of Task Force Manila Shield to maintain security at strategic points such as Makati, Mendiola, and EDSA Shrine. He denied allegations that they will set up checkpoints to hinder rallyists from provinces in joining the protests. For their part, the Armed Forces will only be supportive of the PNP such that soldiers would be on standby inside Camp Aguinaldo. Metro Manila military chief Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa said they are ready to augment the PNP force with three battalions. Both the police and military have said that such extensive preparation was done due to reports of terrorist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf group and the New People’s Army infiltrating Friday's rallies. "We must not underestimate these terrorist groups. They know an opportunity to strike when they see it," Mr. Mesa said. In Makati, former President Joseph E. Estrada has called on Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo L. Neri to reveal everything he knows about the NBN deal. "I urge all officials, especially Secretary Neri to be courageous because the people are behind them," he said during the opposition-led "Mass for Truth" at the University of Makati. Mr. Estrada also announced that he will attend the interfaith rally to support those who are seeking the truth about the project. Deputy Presidential Spokesman Anthony T. Golez, Jr. reminded the former President that his liberties are "not absolute" and therefore "must still be within the confines of the law." He, however, admitted that Mr. Estrada, as a free citizen is entitled to join the rally. Cordial relations Police commanders have also been directed to maintain cordial relationships with diocese heads in their respective areas as calls mount for the influential Catholic Church to join the resignation call for Mrs. Arroyo. The directive was issued during a special conference presided by Interior Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno at the headquarters of the Police Anti-crime and Emergency Response in Camp Crame on Wednesday. The conference was attended by members of the PNP command group, directorial staffs, heads of all national support units and Metro Manila police chief Director-General Geary L. Barias. A senior police official who attended the special conference said the salient points of the conference were security preparations for today’s rally and the CBCP statement. Church officials expressed doubts as to the motives of the PNP’s plans of closely coordinating with them. Caloocan City Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez said in a text message to BusinessWorld, "I see that they realize the threat that may be posed by priest-led calls against [Mrs. Arroyo]." Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen-Dagupan, in a separate text message, noted the art of war principle: "Win your perceived enemies and you have allies instead." Anti-Arroyo bandwagon Different lawyer groups have also joined the anti-Arroyo bandwagon. Reading the statement of the Concerned Lawyers for Civil Liberties (CLCL), Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Feliciano Bautista said in a press conference, "Members of the legal profession condemn [Mrs. Arroyo’s] blatant disregard of the Constitution and the laws she has sworn to uphold and the impunity with which these violations were committed. We condemn the executive department’s use of the legal processes and institutions to suppress the truth and shield corrupt public officials from accountability." CLCL was formed in 2006 as a reaction to the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 1017 that declared a state of emergency. It has as members the Alternative Law Groups, Civil Liberties Union of the Philippines, Counsels for the Defense of Liberties, Lawyers’ League for Liberty, Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc. and the National Union of People’s Lawyers. Mr. Bautista did not clarify the position of the group on the resignation call but said "we’ve always said we are against corruption and we demand the accountability of public officials." Meanwhile, during the hearing on the writ of amparo filed by NBN star witness Rodolfo Noel I. Lozada, Jr., Neri Colmenares, one of Mr. Lozada’s lawyers, asked the Court of Appeals’ former 17th division to retain the President from the list of respondents. The appellate court has dropped the President as respondent in two writ of amparo cases, noting her immunity from suits — be it civil, criminal or administrative. Assistant Solicitor General Amparo Tang said the President is immune from suits "so that [she] could concentrate on the regular performance of her job. Otherwise, [the suits] would impair the operation of the government." The appellate court will decide on the matter next week. Mr. Colmenares said the "immunity" provision will be haled to the Supreme Court in case they get an unfavorable decision. — Alexis Douglas B. Romero, Jhoanna Frances S. Valdez and Ira P. Pedrasa, BusinessWorld