vigilance in face of poll automation failure, bombing, martial rule plot

Casiño calls for vigilance
in face of poll automation failure, bombing, martial rule plot

News Release
June 30, 2009

In view of the apparent collapse of the poll automation project, the recent bombing and the “Oplan August Moon” plot, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño today warned the public to be extra vigilant in ensuring that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not stay in power beyond June 2010.

"We should be on guard not only with con-ass but the other Palace-concocted scenarios. We must be extra vigilant for a no elections (no-el) scenario or a brewing coup plot that would prolong PGMA's powerhold beyond 2010," Casiño said, citing an earlier proposal by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales for Arroyo to head a transitional revolutionary civilian-military junta.

"Due to irreconcilable differences between TIM and Smartmatic, the planned automated election has been jeopardized. We also suspect that the leak about 'Oplan August Moon' and the bomb incidents at the Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City are all aimed at creating the conditions for giving Arroyo authoritarian powers or extending her term beyond 2010," Casiño said.

Regarding a possible declaration of military rule, Casiño said "Marcos did it before. Arroyo has all the cards, motives and tendencies to do it again. We should keep ourselves informed and prepared for such scenarios."

Casiño warned the Palace not to consider such repressive scenarios as PGMA might suffer the fate of ousted president Marcos in the 1980s and, just recently, of Honduran president Manuel Zelaya, if PGMA and her allies push through with term extension.

The plot dubbed “Oplan August Moon” was reported as favorable to Arroyo and to generals identified with Class ’78 of the Philippine Military Academy. PGMA is an adopted member of Class ’78.

Casiño, together with anti con-ass leaders, lawmakers, and ordinary citizens will be marching against con-ass and Charter change today at 3 p.m., June 30. Assembly points are: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila - Intramuros, Adamson University - Taft Ave., and Welcome Rotonda in Manila. Students, professors and participants from schools such as DLSU, St. Scholastica's College, UP Manila, Adamson University, and PLM comprise the contingent to be joined by Casiño. The groups will converge at Plaza Salamanca along Taft Avenue and will proceed to Liwasang Bonifacio. ###