Flavier backs GMA’s lifting of state of emergency

Senate President Pro Tempore Juan Flavier supported yesterday President Arroyo’s move to lift the state of national emergency last Friday, although he did not rule out the possibility that Malacañang may use the same powers anew in case of renewed destabilization efforts against the administration.

Flavier, who joined his Senate colleagues in calling for the repeal of Proclamation 1017 last week, expressed confidence in Mrs. Arroyo’s capability to assess the current security situation and political order in the country.

"I am giving (Mrs. Arroyo) the benefit of the doubt... she is the one who knows all the intelligence data, the information. She is the one who knows what the problem is so if she declares a state of emergency, it’s okay with me," Flavier said in a radio interview.

He explained that he joined his colleagues in calling for the state of emergency to be lifted because Proclamation 1017 had thwarted the power grab it was meant to address.

"I joined in wearing the black band, as a reminder that she should lift (the state of emergency), that’s why I praise the President," Flavier said.

He does not see any problem in the President’s decision to declare a state of national emergency when forces from the left and the right tried to consolidate in a bid to topple the present administration.

Neither does Flavier see any problem should Mrs. Arroyo decide to declare a state of national emergency again as the need arises.

"If there is really a threat to the nation, such as planned coups," Flavier said, "we need to protect the republic."

He also said Mrs. Arroyo would not declare martial law because she would encounter problems, particularly with Congress, once she does this.

"We need to approve (martial law) in 24 hours, otherwise, she cannot implement martial law," Flavier said.

At the rate the Senate is going, Flavier said any move by Mrs. Arroyo to declare martial law will not prosper.

A majority of the senators approved a resolution last week to conduct an inquiry on the raid conducted by soldiers and policemen on the offices of opposition newspaper The Daily Tribune and the arrest of perceived enemies of the state.

To dramatize their protest, senators also wore black arm bands during the last session day on Wednesday. On Thursday, it was the turn of some 1,000 Senate employees to seek the lifting of Proclamation 1017 when they organized a picket in front of the Senate building during their lunch break.

Senate employees will also wear black shirts today to show their disgust over Proclamation 1017.