Aklan Board condemns state of emergency

By RECTO I. VIDAL

Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawiganhere have collectively expressed expressed theiropposition and condemnation over a series of executiveorders made by President Arroyo over the weekend.

However, the approval of a resolution stronglycondemning Proclamation 1017 and General Order No.5 ofPresident Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and declaring thecollective voice of Aklanons for its immediate repealand revocation, was deferred after some of its member expressed concern over the strong language being usedby its sponsors Board members Franklin Quimpo andRamon Gelito.

"In essence, the members share the same sentiments incondemning the acts of the President however some ofthe SP members expressed their reservations inapproving said resolution due to its strong languangethus the proponents were urged to finetune the wordings of said resolution," SP member SelwynIbarretta, committee chair on laws, rules andordinances,told his colleagues.

Earlier, SP Member Plaridel Morania raised certainlegal and constitutional issues and expressed deepconcern over said resolution and warned his colleaguesto be "discreet and careful" due to the fact that theprovincial board is representing the people. "

I highly condemn the acts of our chief executive butlets be careful in approving this resolution for theseinvolves our people and they might get angry if weapprove this on a haphazard manner considering thatthe situation is still confusing and liquid."

President Arroyo has signed on February 24,Proclamation 1017, declaring a "state of emergency allover the country," and General Order No. 5," givingthe police and military powers to carry out necessaryand appropriate actions and measures to suppress andprevent acts of terrorism and lawless violence." "

Pursuant to this highly anomalous, immoral andillegal order, the police has effected severalwarantless arrests like the arrst of Professor RandyDavid, retired General Montano, People' Rep. CrispinBeltran (Anakpawis), Joel Virador of BayanMuna-Davao,Teodoro Casno (Bayan Muna), Liza Maza(Gabriela), Satur Ocampo (Bayan Muna) and raided theoffices of the Dialy Tribune, and the residence offormer Senator Gregorio Honasan and even tried to takeaway former Joseph E. Estrada in addition to thethreat of arrest of countless leaders of theopposition," Quimpo contended.

Considering the spirit and substance of the 1987Constitution of the Philippines, the Bill of Rightsand Civil Liberties are sacred rights that must beprotected by all, especially the wielders of power ndauthority, according to Gelito.

The twin proclamations is a major trespass of theabode constitutionally guaranteed rights like therights to free speech, right to peaceful assembly ndright against unreasonable searches, and show thatblack shadows of how people were abused and violatedduring the regime of Martial law.

Under a regime of justice and democracy these kind ofproclamations, are a major deterrent to a sound andpeaceful social and economic society whixh undulymakes the Philippines a major country forinternational concern nd anxiety whose damage to theeconomy, progress and stability cannot be fathomed.