Palace insists GMA not running

Malacañang defended yesterday as freedom of expression the statements of people who wish President Arroyo would reconsider her Dec. 30, 2002 vow not to join the 2004 presidential race, but insisted she will stick to her decision not to seek a full six-year term.

It is "clear that the President is very firm in her stand on this matter and this will remain unchanged," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

Bunye took up the cudgels for Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, who was accused of violating the constitutional principle of separation of Church and State when he spoke words of "encouragement" urging the President to run in 2004.

Bunye said Sin was merely exercising his freedom of expression by airing his "personal opinion" and conveying his "encouragement" to the President through First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Speaking over the government-owned Radyo ng Bayan yesterday, Bunye said Sin, like other Filipinos, is entitled to freedom of speech.

"We can see that almost all political leaders have their respective views being aired. Why should we limit the rights of the cardinal? All of us have (the) freedom to express what we believe in. We have freedom of expression," Bunye said.

Sin expressed his sentiments after receiving a P1-million donation from the First Gentleman, proceeds from the just-concluded First Gentleman’s Golf Cup. Attorney Arroyo in turn spoke of it to media.

"It does not mean that if one is a priest or a bishop, he is no longer entitled to this right (of free expression). So, just like any other (Filipino) citizen, the good cardinal has the right to express himself on this matter," Bunye said.

He said the fundamental right to free expression as enshrined in the Constitution is similarly applicable to Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Donald Dee, who said the business community is prepared to support Mrs. Arroyo, should she decide to make a bid for the presidency in 2004.

"We are thankful (for) the views of Mr. Dee," he said, "but the views of our President will remain."

However, the right to freedom of expression does not cover the still unknown people who pasted the "GMA 2004" posters on public walls and hung streamers that read "Run, Gloria, Run" which were torn down by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recently.

"We consider this graffiti," Bunye said. "Anyway, the MMDA removed these streamers, so it’s now (moot and) academic."

Meanwhile, Bunye dismissed the allegations of communist party spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal that Mrs. Arroyo is really bent on seeking the presidency next year by conducting an early campaign in the countryside using government projects.

"What we know (is) there are socio-economic projects being undertaken by government," Bunye said. "These projects are being undertaken in areas where we have some problems, especially insurgency problems."

In Dagupan City, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said there are no clear signs yet whether the President will run in the May 10, 2004 elections.

Responding to queries from local reporters whether Mrs. Arroyo is showing clear signs of reconsidering her vow not to seek the presidency, despite the clamor for her to seek a full six-year term in 2004, De Venecia said, "There are no clear signs."

The President attended Sunday the funeral in Dagupan City of De Venecia’s elder brother Gil, who died of a heart attack last week. The Speaker ran in the 1998 presidential elections, but lost, while Mrs. Arroyo, then his running mate, won and eventually assumed the presidency after the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada by popular revolt in January 2001.

But De Venecia admitted that US President George Bush and many leaders in the US, Europe and East Asia have encouraged Mrs. Arroyo to join the presidential derby in 2004. This encouragement, he said, "can be factored in her decision-making process."

He said one of the reasons why Mrs. Arroyo’s ratings are rising dramatically is her no-nonsense approach to governance.

The Chief Executive’s seven-point plan in Mindanao, her anti-kidnapping thrust, her anti-drug campaign, the advance in the economy, her strong leadership of the anti-terrorism campaign and her success in preventing the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the country are all factors that contribute to her rising popularity.

He added that an Arroyo-Raul Roco tandem is also a strong possibility, but added that this is up to them. "These windows of opportunity are open. It’s up to them to readjust their respective destinies. Our job is to keep those doors open," De Venecia added.

The presidential bet of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party will be known by the end of August, De Venecia said. In case the president stands firm on her decision not to run in 2004, the possible administration candidates, he said, include businessman Eduardo Cojuangco, Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr., Roco and Senators Noli de Castro and Loren Legarda.

But, if the President chooses to run, she will be the party’s standard-bearer, De Venecia said, adding that many political parties will rally around her.

"It’s up to her, really, just like in 1998. I had to make up my mind whether or not to run. When you run, you have to mind your own mind-pressures... At the end of the day, you have to make up your own mind, to develop your own political will," he said.