Palace: We’re not fomenting ‘class war’

President Estrada is not instigating a "class war" between the masses and the elite as alleged by anti-Estrada groups, Malacañang said yesterday.

Press Secretary Ricardo Puno made the denial to reporters as members of the Makati Business Club (MBC) handed out packed lunches of adobo and rice to thousands of militant workers and farmers near the monument of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. on the corner of Ayala Ave. and Paseo de Roxas in Makati City.

Puno said the Chief Executive often alluded to the elite as leading anti-Estrada protest rallies because they have the capability to withstand any adverse effects on the economy by destabilization efforts.

"Those with different objectives are always going to put a wrong spin on that and say that the President is trying to foment class wars," he said. "That is exactly what he is not trying to do. Because we’re not trying to foment any class wars here or any difficulties between the rich and the poor."

Puno said anti-Estrada businessmen in Makati are projecting a "doomsday" scenario that the economy is about to collapse, when in fact its third quarter performance shows otherwise.

"This is the doomsday scenario that people are portraying about the economy," he said wryly, referring to the 4.8 percent growth of the gross domestic product in the third quarter.

Puno said President Estrada is appealing to protest leaders and organizers to stop the demonstrations because his impeachment trial is underway.

"I think we have been consistent in what we have said here that we do not object to any people expressing their opinions," he said. "We have no problem with that. What we’re asking is for them to cease from these activities because they adversely affect our economy."

Puno said authorities will maintain a policy of "maximum tolerance," and that protesters will not be prevented from exercising their right to express their grievances against the government.

"But what we have not guaranteed is the right to violate the law, the right to create disturbances," he said. "They are all contrary to law."

Guillermo Luz, spokesman for the MBC, told reporters yesterday the "people power lunch" with the farmers and workers sought to prove wrong President Estrada’s claim that the protest actions against him serve only the interests of the elite. – Marichu Villanueva