Palace vows smooth transition of power

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday assured there will be a peaceful transition of power after today’s election.

“We assure our people that after the election, regardless of whoever is chosen to form the next leadership, this administration will put all of its resources behind a successful transition of power and preserving the stability and continuity of our republican institutions and processes,” deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar said.

Circulating over the weekend were text messages purportedly of a plot by President Arroyo, former President Fidel Ramos, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, and Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales to manipulate the results of the elections in favor of Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. with the help of a South Korean hacker.

“These people, whoever they are, should stop scaring the people and help them exercise their right to vote,” Olivar said.

Last month, Malacañang announced that the President has formed a committee tasked to assist the next president during the transition of power.

The committee is chaired by Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza and co-chaired by Presidential Management Staff (PMS) Director General Elena Bautista.

“President Arroyo wants a smooth transfer of governance as a punctuation mark to her legacy of accomplishments. That, we guarantee you, will take place,” Mendoza told an earlier news briefing.

The committee would submit an inventory of Palace properties, brief the next president on existing key policies, and plan the turnover ceremony on June 30.