The Philippine Online Chronicles

Liberal Party senatorial candidate Brigadier General Danny Lim warned today that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is “inviting a new military uprising” in the wake of the Supreme Court (SC) ruling allowing Malacañang to appoint a new SC Chief Justice.

In a press release sent to the Philippine Online Chronicles, Lim said that “the possibility of a military uprising becomes real when democratic institutions are weakened to the point where the check and balance mechanisms are severely skewered, and when civilian authorities blatantly contravenes the rule of law and the constitution; as what this government has done so many times.”

Lim, one of the founders of the military rebel group Magdalo, further said that the “new rising may not come” from Magdalo but "the possibility” of a military revolt “is always there” as long as the Arroyo government “is in power.”

“The Supreme Court has the unique opportunity to settle this peacefully. Let the rule of law prevail. Lest they want to witness an uprising powered by the people and military, the high tribunal must heed the public’s clamor,” Lim concluded.

The Magdalo conducted two failed mutinies against the Arroyo government in 2003 and 2007.

'Don't drag military'

On the other hand, newly appointed armed forces chief-of-staff General Delfin Bangit countered that the military must not be “dragged into politics.”

“If you want us to serve better, then leave us alone, allow us to do our job ,” Bangit said on GMA News Online.

He also reminded the media to “write” about the “dedication and sacrifices of our troops.”

“If they say that we have the last say [in ousting and installing a president], that’s what the people think but I have said in my statement…I have my oath and it will be to the protection and to the support of the Constitution, nothing more, nothing less," Bangit said.

"No rift between Arroyo, Police"

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Leonardo Espina dismissed early reports on a “rift” between PNP Director General Jesus Versoza and Arroyo as “malicious tries.”

The reports came after Arroyo skipped yesterday's graduation ceremonies of the PNP Academy (PNPA) in Silang, Cavite. The Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) disclosed a statement from an anonymous “police source” that “Arroyo really felt bad about General Verzosa’s statement” after Versoza earlier said in a PDI banner story that he will not support any attempts to extend Arroyo's term.

“It is highly unfair to accuse the President of snubbing the PNPA rites... We would like to reaffirm our stand with the President,” Espina said.