GMA allies launch ‘Oplan Save the Queen’ counter-propaganda

A plan to counter and neutralize the negative reports and publicity swirling around the Arroyo presidency is reportedly being launched by the President’s allies, a source close to Malacañang told The STAR yesterday.

Dubbed "Operation Plan Save the Queen," the strategy includes mobilizing pro-Arroyo supporters for rallies in support of the beleaguered Chief Executive and conducting a massive information campaign on the "real issues" affecting the country.

"Our first priority is to save the Queen," the source said, referring to Mrs. Arroyo, though he refused to give further details.

But another political officer disclosed that one million pro-Arroyo supporters will converge at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila as a counter-display of force to the rallies organized by the opposition and other anti-Arroyo groups, especially the mammoth rally scheduled in Makati City this week.

Oplan Save the Queen was launched just as the Campaign for Public Accountability (CPA), a multicultural group, filed an urgent motion before the Ombudsman to resolve the multimillion-peso graft charges filed against Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, the chairman of the United Opposition seeking the ouster of the President.

In its motion, the CPA, headed by Bobby Brillantes, was seeking the immediate resolution of the P662-million graft and plunder cases filed against Binay. The cases were based on Commission on Audit (COA) reports dated April 19, 2002 and Sept. 24, 2004.

Francis Reyes, CPA spokesman, however, denied that the filing of the urgent motion was linked with Oplan Save the Queen. He said it’s just a coincidence that they are seeking resolution of the graft cases at the same time Oplan Save the Queen was being hatched.

"We are a neutral group, we are not part of the Oplan Save the Queen," Reyes emphasized, adding that their group is just carrying out its mission to help the government fight graft and corruption.

Pro-administration politicians also began their own exposé on the alleged irregularities committed by personalities identified with groups calling for the President’s resignation.

The STAR source said it is ironic that while some of the opposition leaders are crying for the ouster of Mrs. Arroyo, they themselves were also involved in irregular transactions, both in their public and private lives.

"We want to expose their true motives in seeking the ouster of the President," the source said.

Meanwhile, two House leaders who had supported former President Corazon Aquino in her struggle against the Marcos dictatorship, called on Aquino yesterday to stop urging Mrs. Arroyo to resign.

In a joint statement, House Majority Leader Rep. Prospero Nograles and Rep. Douglas Cagas, contingent head to the Electoral Tribunal, said it was enough that Mrs. Aquino had stated her position on the issue.

Mrs. Aquino should allow the constitutional process to proceed and resolve the two impeachment complaints filed against the President, the congressmen said.

Even former President Fidel Ramos received a rebuke from a Muslim part-list group yesterday for coming to Mrs. Arroyo’s aid and proposing Charter change to ease her from office gracefully.

"This Ramos-Lakas coup and their Charter change agenda undermines the people’s movement demanding justice through the resignation of President Arroyo," Cosain Naga Jr., chairman of the Suara Bangsamoro party-list group, told reporters during a press conference at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City.

"A genuine change in the Charter must come from the people, not from bureaucrats who will ensure that their own interests will be protected," Naga said.