GMA skipping EDSA rites

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday said President Arroyo would skip today’s final rites of the 23rd anniversary of Edsa 1 because of her tight schedule.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo defended the President for not attending the “People’s Day” ceremony at the People Power Monument along EDSA in Quezon City because she has a full schedule today.

Fajardo emphasized that politics was a non-factor in President Arroyo’s decision to skip the activities.

“It would not be right to put a political angle in all issues (related to the President),” Fajardo said.

She noted that the President already attended one of the events of the celebration last Sunday, the wreath-laying ceremony at the Libingan ng Bayani in Taguig City where she was joined by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, one of the key players of the 1986 revolution.

In today’s flag raising ceremony at the People Power Monument, former President Fidel Ramos, another key player in the revolution, will lead the rites.

Ramos will be joined by Vice President Noli de Castro, who will represent Mrs. Arroyo, Fajardo said.

Former President Corazon Aquino, the main figure of the 1986 revolution, had a falling out with President Arroyo after she criticized the present administration for being corrupt.

Based on the schedule of President Arroyo as of yesterday afternoon, the President will drop by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration office in Mandaluyong City to check out the agency’s jobs fair, which is part of the program of the Edsa 1 celebration.

The President will then proceed to the annual economic briefing at Dusit Hotel in Makati.

Among the activities for today’s commemoration is the presentation of special awards to various personalities, including international Filipino singers Arnel Pineda and Charice Pempengco; Rev. Fr. Jean Francois Thomas, Bantay Bata Foundation and Radio Veritas.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) placed the entire Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog on heightened alert in preparation for the today’s celebration.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said they are ready to deploy 1,000 policemen from National Capital Regional Police Office if the need arises.

“We have declared heightened alert for the celebration of EDSA 1 today. We are inspecting various police units to check their readiness and the overall condition of the stations,” he added.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome maintained there is no specific threat of a coup during the celebration.

Verzosa said the elements of the PNP’s Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) are on standby and ready to respond to any eventuality. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jaime Laude