MSP bucks illegal ouster

The Movement for a Strong Philippines (MSP) warned yesterday of dire consequences if President Arroyo is ousted through illegal means.

MSP national chairman Dr. Emmanuel Angeles said any change in government must be within the bounds of the Constitution: "Many want to shortcut, or even bypass the constitutional process. This is exactly a prescription to disaster."

Angeles, who served the government as president and chief executive officer of the Clark Development Corp. said "the worst that could happen is for us to become a banana republic," explaining that "anyone who sits as president is in danger of being ousted by mob rule."

The former CDC head advised Filipinos to remain calm in the wake of increasing pressure for the President to resign on charges of election cheating. The charges stemmed from a wiretapped conversation between the President and an election official widely believed to be former Comelec commissioner Virgilio Garcilliano.

"It is time for prudence and national thinking. The process of succession is clearly defined in our Constitution. To do otherwise is suicidal. There are also legal venues to find out whether our President is guilty or not. Let us not play with fire, all of us may end up charred," Angeles said.

In explaining his MSP vision Angeles said: "These leaders must possess the nobility to use above the whole force of circumstances, to remain unbiased by the extremes of victory or defeat, to persevere in the teeth of disaster, to greet returning fortune with a cool eye, to have faith in human beings even after repeated betrayals, leaders who can rise above the turmoil of barbaric conflicts and confrontations. Above all, these leaders must love and be willing to fight for the independence and sovereignty of their country and people. Only leaders of this caliber can save and develop our country."

MSP is non-profit, non-political nationalist patriotic movement whose program of national development is anchored on the teachings and admonitions of our own heroes and patriotic leaders of the past.