PMA alumni-chapter calls for Arroyo’s resignation

By Ronron
June 29, 2005

While it accepted the apology of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a group of alumni of the elite Philippine Military Academy (PMA) wants the President to resign because she has "lost the moral ascendancy to govern" with her admission to the act of impropriety.

In a three-page resolution dated June 28, 2005, the Business, Industry and Retired Chapter, Inc. (BIRC) of the PMA Alumni Association, Inc. also asked all members of Arroyo’s cabinet to tender their resignations for participating in a series of lies and cover-ups in the last three weeks to protect the image of Arroyo.

Arroyo, on Monday night, confessed on national television that she called a government election officer while the 2004 Presidential polls was not yet over. She admitted it was a lapse in judgement of which she was sorry about.

"The (BIRC) of the PMAAAI believes that the apologies of the President should be accepted, whatever prompted her to do so… The BIRC nonetheless believes that the President has lost the moral ascendancy to govern and would not be the best person to heal, lead and unite the nation in these critical times," the resolution of the more than 1,000-strong organization reads.

The group, chaired by Col. (ret.) Mariano Santiago, also sought the public to respect the Constitution process of presidential succession should Arroyo resign "to avoid further disunity and deadly confrontation over the Presidency."

It also addressed the AFP to exercise prudence and neutrality and perform its constitutionally mandated duty to protect the people and the State and insure that the Constitutional process of succession, if any, is allowed.

In a phone interview with Manila Shimbun, Santigao said his group’s sentiments may not be shared by the four other chapters of the 7,000-strong PMAAAI who are in the active service.

It is not even a unanimous call but only by the majority of the BIRC.

But he said it is important that they express their opinion on the matter so that "nobody would grab power," particularly a military junta.

A retired Navy officer had earlier warned Arroyo that four or five military groups who are rebellious are just waiting to be instigated.

Commodore (ret.) Rex Robles said Arroyo must not let down her guard even if the military pronounces their loyalty to their Commander-in-Chief.

But the AFP yesterday belied Robles’ allegations.

"There is no truth in retired Commodore Rex Roble’s statements that groups within the AFP composed of disgruntled officers have united for the purpose of military intervention. The incoming (Chief of Staff of the AFP, Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga) has vowed to put an end to military adventurism, to ensure that misguided men in uniform will not be swayed into joining such activities," Col. Gilberto Abanto, acting Commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service, said.

The military leadership had consistently called for sobriety among the public following Arroyo’s confession./DMS