Arroyo skips top Edsa rite
May have been warned about rallies
BY REGINA BENGCO
PRESIDENT Arroyo will not attend the
yearly flag-raising ceremony at the People Power
Monument, which serves as the highlight of the Edsa 1
anniversary celebrations.
It would be the first time that the
President would not join the ceremony, except in
February 2006 when no celebration took place because of
the alleged coup attempt by the opposition, Leftists and
military "adventurists" to grab power from her.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, commander
of the Presidential Security Group, said they were not
advised that Arroyo would go to the People Power
Monument. He said it may have something to do with the
scheduled rallies.
Again, Gloria says: I'm
not resigning, my family is clean
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday said she
will not resign from the presidency even as she shielded
her family from allegations of irregularities.
Arroyo made the statement in a speech
after a Mass at Malacañang's Heroes Hall amid calls for
her resignation or ouster due to corruption, particularly
on the national broadband deal between the Philippine
government and Chinese-firm ZTE.
"Ako ang pangulo, walang iba. Ako ang
nagpapasya sa mga usapin ng pamahalaan at hindi iyong mga
wala sa tungkulin," she declared in a well-applauded
speech that ended in a standing ovation.
CIVIL society, opposition, militant, worker,
student and other sectoral groups, led by former President
Corazon Aquino, are offering a thanksgiving Mass today at the
Baclaran church to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the Edsa
"people power" 1 that ousted the Marcos regime.
Militant groups, who are calling for
President Arroyo's ouster, are also set to stage protest actions
in at least 15 cities for the Edsa 1 anniversary.
The thanksgiving Mass, which will be held at
3 p.m., was originally set to be held in Makati City then moved
to Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City and finally to the Shrine
of our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran, Parañaque.
