MANILA, 7 April 2006 — Philippine officials yesterday protested an editorial of the New York Times urging US President George W. Bush to warn President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that “by undermining a hard-won democracy, she is making her country far more vulnerable to terrorist pressures.”
In its April 5 editorial titled “Dark Days for Philippine Democracy,” the paper said Filipinos thought that they had put an end to electoral chicanery and governmental intimidation when they overthrew the Marcos dictatorship two decades ago, but that Arroyo has “completely lost touch” with the ideals that inspired the 1986 “people power” movement.
“Mrs. Arroyo is no Ferdinand Marcos, at least not yet. But this one-time reformer is reviving bad memories of crony corruption, presidential vote-rigging and intimidation of critical journalists,” the newspaper said.
“Unless the Philippine Congress and courts find ways to rein in her increasingly authoritarian tendencies, democracy itself may be in danger.”
In a striking coincidence, the editorial came out as Arroyo’s critics and political enemies renewed their campaign to seek her resignation on her 59th birthday.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye countered that Arroyo “has worked steadfastly to preserve democracy in the Philippines.” He said the real threat to democracy came from those who do not respect the constitution, such as the “destabilizers” whose actions prompted Arroyo to declare a weeklong emergency in February.
“The Times editorial is, unfortunately, testimony to the fact that the opposition’s irresponsible political efforts are impacting international perceptions and overshadowing the great news being generated on the economic front,” Bunye said.
He said Philippine Ambassador to Washington Albert del Rosario is asking the Times to print a response that will give the administration’s side of the story.
The editorial “must have been written through a glass darkly,” Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations Lauro Baja said in a statement released by his office.
“The president’s swift and decisive action saved democracy in the Philippines,” he said. The statement said Baja wrote to the The Times, urging it to look dispassionately at Arroyo’s economic, social and political programs. Arroyo survived three impeachment bids last September when her congressional allies blocked an investigation into allegations including a conspiracy to rig the 2004 election that Arroyo won by more than a million votes. She also declared a state of emergency in February to quell an alleged coup plot by disgruntled troops and launched a crackdown on protests.
Private Media
Asked to comment on the the editorial, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney noted that the New York Times is a “private news media.”
“Like all news media, we appreciate their opportunity to speak freely,” she told reporters in an interview during a visit to Senate President Franklin Drilon’s office.
Drilon echoed Kenney’s response when pressed by reporters about what she told him during their meeting.
“She said this is a private organization. Obviously, this is a view that they have taken. It’s a widely read newspaper in the States. Certainly, US President George W. Bush reads the editorial of New York Times. Beyond that, she did not say anything else,” he said.
Drilon, who has joined calls for Arroyo’s resignation, said the editorial reflected the sentiment of many political observers.
“The unresolved issues must be addressed squarely. This will continue to erode on the ability of the president to govern, until the issue is addressed properly. It’s an indication that the situation in the Philippines has attracted international attention,” he said.
“It’s significant that the repressive measures adopted in the past couple of months, is the subject of the editorial. It only indicates the displeasure of the international community, of the democracies around the world on what has been happening in our country today in terms of the danger signals to our democratic institutions,” he added. (With reports from AP & INS)
