SITREP 17: SENAT CONDEMNS GRP ACTIONS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 000914 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, DRL/CRA, DS, CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PINS ASEC ECON RP SUBJECT: SITREP 17: SENAT CONDEMNS GRP ACTIONS REF: MANILA 891 AND PREVIUS ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclasified -- Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (SBU)Summary: The Senate has adopted a resolution conemning GRP actions (pressure on media, arrests) uner the State of Emergency (Proclamation 1017). similar resolution filed by Opposition members s under consideration in the House. The SupremeCourt has deferred hearings on petitions challengng the constitutionality of Proclamation 1017. Mlacanang has until March 6 to respond to the petitons; oral argments are set for March 7. The GR has released an expanded list of names of indivduals facing charges of rebellion. The military as announced that it has relieved from duty the arine colonel involved in a standoff at Fort Bonfacio on February 26. The situation in Manila is nonetheless calm, overall, with schools and businsses open. The peso gained while stocks rose. Th next EAC is scheduled for the afternoon of Marc 1. End Summary. -------------- Senate Reolution -------------- ¶3. (U) The Senate n February 27 adopted a resolution condemnng the police raid on a newspaper and other GRP attempts to exercise control over media, the arrests of several citizens (including a member of the House of Representatives) and "other similar acts" carried out under Proclamation 1017. The resolution directed the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry into acts being carried out under Proclamation 1017 in order to support adoption of remedial legislation that would "fully protect" constitutional rights. Senate President Franklin Drilon and Senators Francis Pangilinan, Manuel Roxas, Rodolfo Biazon, and Pia Cayetano played key roles in moving the legislation forward. Also on February 27, eleven Opposition representatives filed an identical resolution in the House, which has not yet acted. -------------- Supreme Court Defers Hearings -------------- ¶4. (U) On February 28, the Supreme Court deferred hearings on petitions challenging the constitutionality of Proclamation 1017. Oral arguments are set to begin on March ¶7. The Supreme Court gave Malacanang a deadline of midnight, March 6, to respond to the assertion that Proposition 1017 is unconstitutional. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, a staunch Arroyo ally, asserted to the press on February 27 that the Supreme Court has no power to determine whether the President had the "factual basis" to issue Proposition 1017. She conceded, however, that the Supreme Court may review specific acts arising from the State of Emergency, such as the raid on a newspaper office or arrests of alleged anti-government plotters. -------------- New Charges -------------- ¶5. (U) On February 27, the Department of Justice released an expanded list of leftist militants charged by the police with rebellion. There is no indication that arrest warrants have been issued. In addition to the 15 names released yesterday (reftels),the DoJ named 46 more individuals accused of conspiring to overthrow the government, including: Luis Jalandoni, the chairman of the negotiating committee for the National Democratic Front; Gregorio Rosal (aka Ka Roger), spokesman for the New People's Army; and Juliet Sison, wife of the exiled Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison (who was on the first list). Others on the list are: Spouses Benito Tiamzon Wilma Tiamzon Tirso Alcantara Benjamin Mendoza Vic Ladlad Nathanael Santiago Sotero Llamas Julio Atienza Edilberto Escudero Rosemarie Domanais MANILA 00000914 002 OF 003 Rogelio Vilanueva Leo Velasco Rafael Baylosis Prudencio Calubid Philip Limjoco Julius Giron Allan Jazmines Antonio Cabanatan Fidel Agcaoili Edilberto Silva Maria Concepcion Araneta Bocala Jorge Madlos Eugenia M. Topacio Francisco Fernandez Carlos Borjal Elizabeth Princepe Randall Echaniz Rey Claro Casandre Edwin Alcid Tita Lubi Abdias Guadania Mike Gamara Ka Selbio Kim Tasio Randy Rosa/Sisa/Isid Novo Elya Rose -------------- Manila Calm -------------- ¶6. (U) Manila appears calm, overall, on February 28, with businesses operating normally. Manila area schools and universities resumed classes on February 28, after being closed on February 24 and 27. There were no major demonstrations in Manila as of late afternoon on February 28. About 30 members of the leftist group "Kasama Pilipinas" who attempted to gather at the Memorial Circle in Quezon City were quickly dispersed by the police. Another leftist group, Anak Pawis, was reportedly planning a rally at police headquarters at Camp Crame in Manila the evening of February ¶28. Police units were on standby for the rally. ¶7. (U) The Armed Forces of the Philippines ((AFP) reported no problems with the chain of command and all troops were accounted for. On February 28, a Philippine Marine spokesman announced that Col. Ariel Querubin, the commander of the 1st Marine Brigade, had been relieved of duty for leading a protest over the replacement of the Marine Commandant at the Philippine Marine headquarters at Fort Bonifacio on February 26 (reftels). -------------- Peso and Stocks Up -------------- ¶8. (U) On February 27, the Philippine Treasury rejected all bids for the three billion pesos of bonds on offer during its regular securities dealers auction. Interest rates on t-bill bids have been on a downward trend since the increase in the value added tax rate went from 10 to 12 percent this month, and the government has projected deeper reductions in its fiscal deficit. With the political uncertainty, however, dealers offered somewhat higher rates than at the last primary market auction on February 13. With plenty of cash and T-bill demand more than four times oversubscribed, the government apparently decided to reject all bids as a signal that the political turbulence was temporary and did not merit higher rates. ¶9. (U) On February 28, the peso closed at 51.65, much stronger than its 51.96 close on February 27 and a full recovery from before the President declared the State of Emergency. The Philippine Stock Price Index rose to 2123 at the close of the trading day, up 1.6% from its close of 2089 on February 27, its highest level in three weeks. ¶10. (U) Finance Secretary Gary Teves said on February 28 that investor confidence in the Philippine economy remains strong and that the economic team would continue aggressively to implement the government's fiscal and economic reform program. He said "the rebound in the local stock market and MANILA 00000914 003 OF 003 the stabilization of the peso today indicate that investor faith in the fundamentals of the Philippine economy remain strong." He also noted that rating agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor's have reaffirmed their recent positive revisions of the Philippines' credit rating outlook. -------------- Next EAC -------------- ¶11. (U) The next EAC is scheduled for the afternoon of March ¶1. The crisis management center will remain in operation overnight. Jones