City officials' support to PGMA not a sign of panic
City officials led by City Mayor Jerry Treñas last Friday issued a statement of support to Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, but they said it was not a sign of panic on the part of the administration.
Treñas even said that he will not prevent anti-Arroyo groups from holding protest rallies in the city especially today, the 22nd anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution.
Treñas along with Rep. Raul Gonzalez, Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog and several other councilors and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) presidents made a declaration of support to the embattled president.
The declaration of support was the administration's response to the growing clamor for President Arroyo to step down as brought about by the ZTE controversy.
Treñas said they will allow any group to hold a rally provided it should be done in a peaceful manner. A group which he did not identify applied for a permit to use the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand to show their grievances to the government.
The Iloilo Freedom Grandstand and the Iloilo Provincial Capitol grounds are among the areas frequently used by rallyists to dramatize their demands to the government.
According to Treñas, the accusations hurled against the President and his family should be looked upon "objectively." Proper cases should be filed in court if the accusers have enough evidence to pin down the President. The rule of law should be followed.
The recent declaration of support is also the response of the city officials to the "communal action" called for by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Philippines (CBCP). The people should not let their emotions rule over the issues affecting the government, said Treñas.
The ongoing political crisis will affect the entire country including Iloilo City. There are number of developments in line for the city of Iloilo and everything will turn into nothing should there be another change of government, said Treñas.