GMA'S TRANSFER TO VMMC
[PHOTO - Policemen make
preparations at the main gate of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon
City (Metro Manila) on Thursday, a day before former President Gloria Arroyo
will be transferred to the governmentrun hospital. PHOTO BY
RUY MARTINEZ.]
MANILA, DECEMBER 9, 2011 (MANILA TIMES) Written by : NEIL A.
ALCOBER CORRESPONDENT AND WILLIAM B. DEP -
FORMER President and now Rep. Gloria Arroyo of Pampanga province will not be
handcuffed during her transfer today to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center
(VMMC) in Quezon City (Metro Manila), Philippine National Police (PNP)-National
Capital Region spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said on Thursday.
He told reporters that there was no need to handcuff the former president,
considering her medical condition.
Mrs. Arroyo's lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, also said that there was no need to
handcuff her because she was too weak to attempt an escape, adding that the
ex-leader had difficulty walking without assistance.
Policemen will escort Mrs. Arroyo during the transfer, although authorities
would not say if an ambulance or a to Veterans helicopter would be used to move
the former president to her new detention quarters.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said that authorities
were prepared for either air or land transfer, and that they had taken into
consideration the possible holding of mass actions by pro and anti-Arroyo
groups.
Robredo gave assurances that there would be ample security to safely move
Mrs. Arroyo from the St. Luke's Medical Center (SLMC) in Taguig City (also in
Metro Manila) to the VMMC.
According to Carlos, every detail of their security plan has been ironed out.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready for protest rallies or any
other contingency that may arise, said Major Gen. Tristan Kison, commander of
the AFP National Capital Region Command.
He added that the PNP was on top of security preparations, while the AFP
would only serve as a back-up force, ready to respond anytime if they were
needed.
"The threat from supporters [of Mrs. Arroyo] is always there. But we have
included that in our equation," Kison said.
Three companies of the AFP's Crowd Dispersal Management (CDM) are ready to be
deployed anytime, while three more companies from the Navy, Army and Air Force
are on standby, he added.
Topacio, meanwhile, said that a list of people who would be authorized to
stay with Mrs. Arroyo at the VMMC was still being drawn up.
He added that, for now, the list included members of the former president's
immediate family—her husband Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, their children and their
grandchildren—some lawyers and a private nurse.
Topacio said that it was agreed that Mrs. Arroyo's camp would decide what
time the former president would leave the SLMC.
The PNP has asked the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to
declare the route to be taken by the Arroyo convoy a no-fly zone. WITH REPORT FROM RAFFY S. AYENG
Aquino goes ballistic again, dares critics to prove him wrong
Thursday, December 08, 2011 00:00 Written by : Jaime Pilapil,
Reporter
MANILA TIMES - Still in fighting mood, President Benigno Aquino 3rd on
Wednesday challenged his critics by saying that he is not afraid to go head-on
against them because he is only after corrupt people. "If you have done wrong,
you should be made responsible. We cannot just let you run away or escape from
the law and from the people you have taken advantage of. I am willing to face
anyone because I know the people are behind me. I know that the people want me
to pursue the truth and they want this government to punish the guilty so that
justice may reign in this country," President Aquino told his audience during
the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang.
"We will not stop pursuing the thieves and those who are trying to deceive
more our people. Join me in reforming this country," the President said.
Also on Wednesday, he urged his audience during the awarding of The
Outstanding Young Men 2011 held at Rizal Ceremonial Hall, also in Malacañang, to
support his anti-corruption campaign.
"Reform is not just the obligation of your government; it is the call of our
times in everything we do," Mr. Aquino said.
"If we really want to eliminate poverty, to weed out corruption and to
promote inclusive growth and lasting progress in the Philippines, we need you to
be on the side that supports our agenda," he added.
Mr. Aquino was alluding to the likes of Chief Justice Renato Corona, who he
had claimed was hindering his fight against corruption, a banner advocacy of his
administration.
The Wednesday tirades of the President were a continuation of those he made
Thursday last week in a speech before the elite Makati Business Club where he
accused the Supreme Court of handing down inaccurate and confusing rulings.
On Monday this week, he publicly humiliated Corona, calling him, among other
names, a "midnight appointee" of then-President Gloria Arroyo.
Also on Wednesday, during a chance interview after presiding at official
events at the Palace, Mr. Aquino was asked if he would support the move of his
party allies in the House of Representatives to impeach Corona.
"I do not tell you my plans or the plan of anybody else. I think, at this
point in time, it is important that these questions should be propounded and
that's the only thing I did," he said.
The President, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, was also asked if there
is a basis for the impeachment move against Corona.
"Our Constitution mentions about checks and balances. As I said, the
decisions were not made in a vacuum. Earlier, I was talking with some officials
of the League of Cities and [they] mentioned the increasing number of cities
entitled [to] Internal Revenue Allotment share. They said that their shares were
reduced substantially after the SC ruled that it was legal to increase the
number of cities," Mr. Aquino said.
Malacañang also on Wednesday rejected an offer of some bishops to mediate
between Mr. Aquino and Corona.
Secretary Ricky Carandang, the head of the Presidential Communications
Development and Strategic Planning Office, said that anyone who wishes to
mediate must have a clear understanding of where the Palace was coming from.
"I would like to think that the Chief Justice will make himself available if
and when there is really an invitation (for dialogue from Malacañang)," SC
spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said during a press conference also on Wednesday.
With report from Jomar Canlas
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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rights reserved
PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
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