| PGMA's Statement during the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the KAMANAVA Area Flood Cotnrol and Drainage System Improvement Project (On government actions being carried out by the Commission to investigate the Makati siege) |
Don Basilio Bautista Blvd., Dampalit, Malabon City, MM (01 August 2003) |
| With regard to the
investigations, the issue here was plain criminal justice, not political persecution or
harassment. All of government actions are based on evidence not speculation or rumor.
There will no indictments made on mere suspicion. This will not be a political circus. It
will be a trial on the merits befitting the high standards of our democratic system. There
has been an attempt, an overt attempt to overthrow the government by force of arms. I ask the members of the legislature not to legitimize a criminal act that unfolded before our very eyes or try to impede government efforts to get to the root of this plot. Once and for all, let us show the world, let us show our people that we condemn all means to gain political power outside the ballot. This is our solemn duty. This must be the last time military adventurism is allowed to rear its head in our country. The formidable challenges we are facing do not allow room for these attacks no matter how weak they may be upon the heart of our political system. Poverty, terrorism, drugs, ignorance, disease -- these are the enemies we must vanquish without having to contend with traitors within the democratic polity itself. Thank you. |