NR1024:2007 a long way off; focus on big rallies and talks of snap polls should take backseat at the meantime

From the Office of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran
News Release October 24, 2005


2007 is a long way off, Macapagal-ARroyo should step down now; talks of snap polls should take a backseat to efforts to gather biggest number to pressure Arroyo to leave Malacanang - Rep. Beltran

Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran today said that there was no need for a snap election becuase it would recognizing the legitimacy of the incumbent but illegitimate Macapagal-Arroyo administration. This was the activist lawmaker's response to the suggestion of Cebu Archbishop Cardinal Vidal and El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde that a presidential election in 2007 to end the political impasse.

"2007 is long way off, and we want this political crisis resolved now, and the only way to that is to have Macapagal-Arroyo immediately removed from office," he said. "Allowing her to remain in power til 2007 is tantamount to great folly -- by then she would've done more damage to the economy and launched even more vicious attacks attacks her political opponents."

"Instead of pooling efforts for a snap elections, the good archbishop and Bro. Mike along with the other leaders of the Black and White Movement should focus on efforts to pressure Macapagal-Arroyo to immediately step down. We urge the Black and White Movement to work together with other anti-Arroyo groups and launch coordinated actions with the immediate goal of removing Macapagal-Arroyo from Malacanang at the soonest possible time. Macapagal-Arroyo should not be allowed to stay in power any minute longer. Snap elections or any other proposals that will lead to the installation of a new presidency should take a secondary position to the primary task we all have at hand: that of gathering the biggest number of Filipinos in a show of political force and will that will push Macapagal-Arroyo out of Malacanang."

The veteran labor leader turned lawmaker also reiterated his stand against calls that vice-president Noli de Castro step up to the bat in Macapagal-Arroyo's stead. He said that de Castro is not eligible for the presidentiable post, given that his legitimacy as an elected official is also under question.

"But apart from this, de Castro does not have what it takes to lead this country out of the wilderness and turn the economy around. Most Filipinos do not look up to de Castro for genuine leadership for political strength. He will simply not do as president. To allow him for a moment to occupy the position would also be folly. Why should the Filipino people be further subjected to the kind of inept leadership de Castro has?"

Beltran said that a transition council comprised of representatives from the most active and influential anti-Arroyo groups should take over the moment Macapagal-Arroyo steps down. "It is this transition council that will determine the next steps that will be taken to install a new administration. Only then should talks for a snap elections be considered. In this snap polls, Macapagal-Arroyo and de Castro have no place, and they cannot and will not be allowed to participate."

Beltran said that if Chruch leaders and other groups looking for an immediate figurehead who can give voice to the transition council, he said that he was all for former vice-president Teofisto Guingona. He said that the former vice-president is a more appealing and mor