MANILA, 2 June 2004 — Saying that the people had decided to give her a fresh mandate, incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday warned “coup plotters and political extremists” that force would be met with force.
Arroyo also warned her political rivals not to disrupt the counting of the May 10 presidential vote, saying the delay was wearing out the patience of many Filipinos.
“The people have spoken in this election. The system is working, the institutions of government are strong and credible and now, Congress will ratify the will of the people,” Arroyo said in a speech in Cebu City late Monday.
“We will allow no one to stand in the way,” she said, adding the government “will not be cowed by coup plotters, political extremists or terrorists.”
Arroyo flew to the central Philippine city of Cebu without advance notice, reportedly to seek “spiritual guidance” from Cardinal Vidal.
Three weeks after the hotly contested election pitting Arroyo against popular movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., lawmakers opened and inspected the first 24 of more than 200 ballot boxes on Monday, but haven’t started counting yet. The inauguration is set for June 30.
The opposition backing Poe alleged widespread cheating and complained it was not given enough representation in a 22-member canvassing committee, which is dominated by pro-Arroyo lawmakers. Some opposition legislators have threatened to walk out and the government warned of destabilization plots to ensure Poe’s victory.
Both camps have claimed victory. Poe’s party has warned of a “people power” revolt if he’s denied the presidency.
Concerns of a showdown were heightened by a swirl of rumors — spread mostly through cellular phone messages — about restiveness among soldiers backing the opposition. The military has played down the speculation, although security forces have been on heightened alert in recent weeks.
“There are winners and losers in democracy and we must work together and move the nation forward,” Arroyo said. “We must abide by the will of the people and our institution of government and not let emotions get ahead of reality.”
Her spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said the start of the congressional count “will hopefully douse growing public impatience and rekindle confidence in the democratic process.”
The count is moving along at a snail’s pace. On Monday, it took 14 minutes just to check and open the first ballot box, and hours to unseal others, as legislators scrutinize voluminous records from millions of ballots.
“Our elections ought to be a national embarrassment,” wrote columnist Alex Magno in the Philippine Star daily. “Three weeks after ballots were cast, we haven’t officially canvassed the votes for president and vice president.”
