MANILA, 13 March 2006 — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday refused to bite Vice President Noli de Castro’s call for an explanation on the “Hello Garci’’ controversy and warned instead that threats to her presidency remained despite a massive crackdown on groups allegedly plotting to toppled her government.

“We are fully aware that some groups have not ceased in their attempts to undermine our democratic way of life,” Arroyo said in a statement. “We have the watchful eye, the will and the resources to counter their moves.”

Arroyo did not give details but ordered the police and military “to expose all residual and anticipated threats of destabilization.”

Arroyo’s statement did not deal with the statement of de Castro, who said the Filipino people to hear an explanation from the president on her apparent interference when the results of the May 11, 2004 election were being counted.

De Castro on Saturday said it was time for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to clear the air on the scandal that had rocking her administration for the past nine months.

“I think it’s time our dear president addressed this problem,” de Castro told the Inquirer. “She should explain to the people the ‘Hello Garci’ tapes. I think she can do this very well and the people will understand her),” he said.

He added that it was up to the people whether to believe Arroyo or not.

‘She Has Done Her Part’

Responding to de Castro’s statement on Saturday, Arroyo’s spokesman yesterday said the presidential palace would rather put to rest the matter of the “Hello Garci’’ controversy.

“We respect the views of the vice president on this issue but we believe President Arroyo has already done her part to address it,” Bunye said in a statement.

Arroyo had denied opposition charges that she manipulated the results of the election, in which she was declared by the Commission on Election to have beaten the immensely popular action moving “king” Fernando Poe Jr. by more than a million votes.

Poe lodged a protest but he died in December of 2004 of a massive stroke, which some have blamed on his devastating loss.

Last year, the political opposition made public CD copies of wiretapped tape recordings of the alleged conversation between President Arroyo and then election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, in which they were in effect discussing how she could win the election.

After a long silence, Arroyo apologized in June, last year, for a “lapse in judgment” by talking with a poll commissioner at the time the votes were being canvassed.

But she vehemently denied having cheated.

Bunye pointed out as well the fact that inquiries had been made in the Senate and the House, including one which heard and subsequently dismissed an impeachment complaint against Arroyo.

“We have gone through the whole slew of legislative inquiries, impeachment proceedings and media controversies impugning on this matter and perhaps its time to put it to rest,” Bunye said.

Begging Answers

De Castro had said he recognized that the questions still beg answers and would constantly be raised by those who were not satisfied with the way the president had addressed the “Hello Garci” scandal.

He also said he understood the disenchantment of a number of military officers and men over reports that their superiors had succumbed to political pressure and were part of the cheating that supposedly marred the 2004 election.

De Castro also endorsed a proposed dialogue between the president and the soldiers as a means of addressing the restiveness in the armed forces.

One Step Ahead

President Arroyo acknowledged yesterday that threats remained, but the government has the resources to counter any further attempts.

“We shall continue to sternly enforce the rule of law in the streets while protecting human rights, and informing the people of threats to their peace, welfare and well being,” Arroyo said, adding, “We are one step ahead of the enemies of the state.”

Arroyo said her government derailed a plot to force her from power when it imposed a weeklong state of emergency on Feb. 24.

Arroyo’s security officials said the coup plot involved the possible assassination of the president and a Cabinet member and the takeover of the presidential palace, military and police camps, key government offices and TV networks.

During the emergency period, police arrested a number of known critics, banned public rallies, raided the office of a small opposition newspaper, deployed troops outside two major TV networks and threatened to impose reporting standards on journalists, setting off accusations that Arroyo was muzzling legitimate dissent and the press to reign in criticisms.

Police have filed capital charges against 16 people, including left-wing lawmakers, military officers, a former senator and a communist rebel leader suspected of plotting to overthrow Arroyo.

Philippine army chief Maj. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said an initial investigation focused on the elite, 2,300-strong Scout Rangers force, with nine officers and 26 enlisted men questioned. An investigation report will be submitted to the Inspector General in the next few days to determine who can be charged before a military tribunal.

A second wave of investigation has begun, focusing on other army units, he said.

Leftist Lawmakers

Prosecutors are to formally launch today an investigation into the case of five leftist members of the House of Representatives who have been implicated in an alleged coup plot against Arroyo. Senior state prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said the investigation will determine whether they should be indicted on charges of coup d’etat and rebellion.

The five — Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Joel Virador, Teodoro Casiño and Rafael Mariano — were among 16 opposition figures whom the police have recommended should be charged by the Department of Justice.

The five have sought sanctuary in their offices at the House of Representatives and accused Arroyo of employing tactics similar to those of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. A sixth congressman, Crispin Beltran, was among several people arrested on Feb. 24. He remains under police detention.

Beltran’s detention was the subject of a protest by more than 300 Filipino activists in Hong Kong yesterday.

Armed with placards, the activists marched in front of the Philippine Consulate General to demand Beltran’s released and to condemn Arroyo for engaging in political repression.

“Stop political repression,” “Release all political detainees,” read placards held by the activists. (With reports from Inquirer News Service & Agencies)