GMA will not declare martial law

By Maricar M. Calubiran

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Dinky Soliman assured that the administration is not poised to declare martial law contrary to reports.

Soliman said the alleged declaration of martial law was “never been discussed” during their cabinet meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She attributed the report on the detractors of the President. The secretary was in the city last week for the celebration of the social workers week.

Soliman said Mrs. Arroyo's detractors are peddling the rumors to provoke the public into rising against the government. It was part of the destabilization plot to topple the present government. “It will confuse the people.”

The reports on the alleged declaration of martial law cropped up after the people calling for the President's resignation failed to drum up support from the public. They failed to gather support following the expose of former National Bureau of Investigation deputy director Samuel Ong on the conversation of the President and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

She described the President's detractors as “enemy of democracy.” These are the people who are afraid the President is already reaping the fruits of the fiscal reforms she instituted in the government.

She explained that the people are already tired of the “extra constitutional reforms”. “We should look into the records of these people whom are calling for the resignation of the President.” The rule of law should be followed and the President is constitutionally mandated to run the government, said Soliman.

Soliman added that the President stays in forms. Infact, she continues to deliver social services to the people. The President recently visited Mindanao and gave out several projects. The negative report will not help in the betterment of the country.

However, the President's recent to Mindanao was tainted with another controversy. The President reportedly met with Garciallano, the alleged Comelec official with whom she was allegedly talking in wiretapped conversation which indicated fraud in last year's election.

The duo reported discussed Garciallano's escaped from the wiretapping scandal. The Comelec commissioner was allegedly aided by people close to President Arroyo in fleeing to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.