With the May 14 mid-term elections just a week away, Malacanang clarified today that there was absolutely no agreement or proposal to include independent candidate former Senator Gregorio Honasan in the administration’s Team Unity ticket.

"Reports that former Senator Gregorio Honasan, who is now out on bail and on the campaign trail, has reached an agreement with the government in exchange for his inclusion in the administration’s senatorial slate have no basis," Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said.

In his weekly column "The View From the Palace" coming out Monday, Bunye said that "speculations about a deal between Honasan and the government" surfaced after the accused coup plotter met with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last week.

Honasan, who is seeking a fresh term in the Senate in next week’s polls, has been accused of involvement in the failed Oakwook mutiny in 2003 and the aborted coup attempt in February last year.

"It was Honasan who sought an audience with the President in connection with the rebellion case against him, wherein the Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed an amended information with the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) upgrading the charges against Honasan to leader of the Oakwook mutiny," Bunye said.

According to the Press Secretary, the meeting was arranged "through the intercession of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, with whom Honasan’s political and public life has been entwined." Honasan was accompanied by his son Kim, Bunye said.

The Presidential Spokesman narrated that during the meeting, the former senator gave a letter to the President, wherein he "disavowed any intention to overthrow the government" and also denounced military adventurism as "an incorrect method of change."

Bunye said that after reading the letter, the President said if Honasan really "believes he is innocent, he should follow the judicial process" to prove his innocence.

"The President is aware that the filing by the DOJ of upgraded charges was based on the prosecutors’ evaluation of the available evidence showing that Honasan was not a mere supporter or sympathizer of the Oakwook mutiny," the Press Secretary said.

"It is therefore in everyone’s best interest that these charges be fully ventilated in court, which is the best and proper venue for Honasan to refute these," Bunye concluded.

TOP

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has called on every Filipino to do everything within his own power to ensure that the coming May 14 elections would be a "truly democratic" one so that the common weal could prevail.

At the same time, she called for a collective effort that "must be directed at reducing violence," stressing that her administration is committed "to protect not only candidates but also the sanctity of the ballot."

The President made the calls when she addressed the First Tripartite National Security Convention of security schools and agencies and their security guards at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City Saturday afternoon.

"Tayong lahat, gawin natin ang lahat nang makakaya upang malampasan ng ating demokrasya and pagsubok nating hinaharap… at masisiguro natin na magiging tunay na demokratiko ang halalan at makikita, lilitaw ang niloloob ng sambayanan," enthused President Arroyo.

She pointed out that "tuwing halalan, ‘yon ay pagsubok sa demokrasya. Sa gayon, lalong patitibayin natin ang pundasyon para sa magandang hinaharap ng ating bansa, ekonomiya at lipunan."

"Together, we can show the world that Filipinos thrive in a democratic system based on free choice," the President stressed.

For his part, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye said that the presence of poll observers from other countries should be a "challenge for all of us to ensure that the polls are peaceful and orderly and truly reflective of the people’s will."

"We welcome the United States’ plan to send poll observers. This is not unusual as we have had observers from the US and other countries in the past," Bunye said in his weekly column "The View From the Palace" coming out tomorrow (Monday).

TOP

President Arroyo is truly elated as we celebrate with exuberance the twin victories of Filipino boxers Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and Alex Banal.

Their humility in the face of such glorious achievements are a source of inspiration to all.

Just like the people’s champ, Manny Pacquiao, both Boom Boom and Alex have done our country proud.

TOP