Press Release
February 25, 2006
Drilon warns GMA: Bill of rights still in effect
Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon today warned
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that the declaration of a State of
Emergency did not allow her to suppress civil liberties to silence
her critics.
In particular, Drilon condemned the raid conducted by elements of
the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection
at the editorial office of the Tribune Newspaper in Manila Saturday
morning.
This is state harassment pure and simple, Drilon said. The
obvious intention is to silence President Arroyos critics.
The police raid at the Tribune is a direct assault in press freedom
and this will be condemned not only in the Philippines but in the
international community as well, he added.
President Arroyo has succeeded in giving Philippine democracy
another big, ugly black eye, said Drilon, who led members of the
Liberal Party in criticizing President Arroyos decision to put the
country under a State of Emergency last Friday.
Drilon also noted the arrest of Anakpawis Partylist Representative
Crispin Beltran, his wife Rosario, and five other companions as well
as the failed attempt to arrest Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Satur
Ocampo Saturday morning was an indication that President Arroyo was
determined to harass and intimidate her political critics.
Last Friday, Drilon explained that the declaration of a State of
Emergency did not give the President special powers to suppress the
bill of rights.
May I remind the President that the courts are still functioning
and the Constitution, including all provisions guaranteeing civil
liberties of the Filipino people, is still in affect , Drilon
explained.
The declaration of a State of Emergency, Drilon said, was merely
the presidents assessment of the situation in the country today.
Policemen reportedly entered the editorial office of the Tribune in
Manila around 12:30 a.m. Saturday. There were no more editorial
staff members present when the policemen arrived. A radio report
said the policemen numbered about 15.
The raiders took copies of the mock-up copy of the paper's Saturday
issue and copies of photographs before leaving the office on T.M.
Kalaw Street.
A few of the policemen stayed outside the editorial office, saying
they wanted to "secure" the place and make sure that everything
inside would remain intact.
Tribune publisher Ninez Cacho-Olivarez said in a television
interview that she tried to ask the policemen where the materials
would be taken.
"Is there no freedom of the press? Is there martial law?" she said.
The publisher said she would file a suit at the Supreme Court. |