Military junta if elections fail

By JEFFREY SALONGA
Malacañang Correspondent

MANILA - Malacañang yesterday said military junta or takeover would be implemented if there would be a failure of elections in May.

This was Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Charito Planas’ answer when asked if the elections would fail and would not be resolved until June 30, the day that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other high ranking elective officials would step down.

Planas said a military takeover is one of the options provided for by the Constitution. She stressed that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile also agrees to such a scenario.

She explained that military junta has been adapted by other countries in Southeast Asia in the past.

“Maaring ang military ang mag–takeover, maari ‘yan. Maari as military juntas have taken over in several countries, especially in Southeast Asia…it could be. Even Senator Enrile mentioned that it could be,” Planas said.

She, however, did not mention if such a scenario is one of the options being considered by Arroyo herself.

When pressed if Arroyo is willing to be an Acting President on a hold-over capacity if a failure of elections occurs, Planas said, “Hindi ang Presidente ang magsasabi ‘hoy, gusto ko pang manatili dito. Hindi siya. Ang situwasyon ang magdidikta at ang Saligang Batas.”

After uttering this, Planas immediately stressed that Arroyo has no plan to extend her term.
“She (Arroyo) will definitely step down from the presidency on June 30 as mandated by the Constitution,” she said.

Planas also assured that a failure of elections is a remote possibility since full manual polls could be adapted if the automated polls fails./PN