Palace denies planning post-impeachment junta

Malacañang denied yesterday reports that a junta will run the government if President Estrada is convicted by the Senate impeachment tribunal and removed from office.

Press Secretary Ricardo Puno Jr. laughed off reports that his office had drawn up a post-impeachment scenario known as "God Save the King 2" detailing the structure of the supposed junta to be comprised of Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and Philippine National Police chief Director General Panfilo Lacson, among other national leaders.

"Since I denied that there was never any Phase One, I cannot comment on any Phase Two which to me is non-existent because to me the spring cannot rise higher than its source," he said. "And since there is no Phase One, therefore there is no Phase Two."

However, Puno said the persistence of reports about the "God Save the King" projects and the establishment of a junta raise suspicions.

"And none of these things are part of a grand plan," he said. "These things are being peddled by people who only love to read mystery novels, spy novels, who even in their sleep think about conspiracies."

Puno said he will ask for a formal investigation of the reports, which he believes are part of a disinformation campaign against the administration.

Earlier, President Estrada denied that Malacañang was behind "God Save the King," a propaganda project allegedly designed to prop up his public image. – Marichu Villanueva