US embassy cable - 05MANILA2626

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002626 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/PMBS, EAP/PD, INR/EAP, INR/B 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KPAO, PINR, RP 
SUBJECT: PALACE ASSERTS THAT OPPOSITION IS TRYING TO USE 
"TAPES" AS PART OF DESTABILIZATION PLOT 
 
REF: A. MANILA 2578 
 
     B. MANILA 2359 
     C. MANILA - EAP/PMBS 05/11/05 CLASS E-MAIL 
     D. MANILA 2103 
     E. MANILA 1998 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Andrew McClearn for 
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
1.  (C) Summary:  Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye 
publicly stated June 5 that Malacanang was worried that the 
opposition was trying to use an alleged tape of presidential 
conversations as part of a destabilization plot.  Bunye also 
stated that the opposition claimed that the tape had come 
from the U.S. Embassy.  Mission dismissed the allegations, 
and underscored the USG's strong support for Philippine 
democracy and stability, as well as our opposition to any 
extra-constitutional activities.  Malacanang, which has been 
taking a pounding recently regarding "jueteng" and falling 
poll numbers, clearly believes that pre-emptively getting 
this story in the press would undermine the opposition's 
efforts to use the alleged tape to discredit the 
Administration.  End Summary. 
 
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Malacanang goes to the Press 
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2.  (U) Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye publicly stated 
June 5 that Malacanang was worried that the opposition was 
trying to use an alleged tape of presidential conversations 
as part of a destabilization plot.  Bunye also stated that 
the opposition claimed that the tape had come from the U.S. 
Embassy.  Leading newspapers all carried front-page articles 
citing Bunye as decrying an "opposition plot to destabilize" 
the GRP through the use of the alleged tape and quoted him 
stating that "the plotters are claiming the tape came from 
sources in the USG."  Bunye also said in a June 5 radio 
discussion that he expected opposition politicians to release 
the contents of the tape in the near future.  Bunye said the 
alleged taped conversations purportedly involved the 
President discussing "election fraud" with one of the 
Commissioners of the GRP's Commission on Elections (COMELEC) 
in May-June 2004.  He insisted the tape was a fabrication. 
 
3.  (C) Queried by press sources, Mission denied any 
involvement in the matter.  Mission also underscored our 
strong support for Philippine democracy and stability, as 
well as our opposition to any extra-constitutional 
activities.  (Note: Emboffs received an alleged transcript of 
the tape several weeks ago from opposition contacts, although 
not the purported tape itself.  Mission translation of the 
alleged transcript appears to show discussions of electoral 
manipulation, but contains no "smoking gun" as to purported 
Malacanang involvement -- see ref C.  Late June 6, a contact 
informed Emboff that opposition elements are planning to hold 
a press conference attacking GMA that will make references to 
the alleged tape.  End note.) 
 
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Malacanang Approaches Mission 
----------------------------- 
 
4.  (C) Separately, Bunye met with Public Affairs Counselor 
June 4 to discuss reports that the USG had provided the 
opposition with the alleged tape.  PA Counselor dismissed 
this claim.  Bunye also asked whether the USG was angry with 
the GRP for trying to improve relations with China.  PA 
Counselor replied that this claim was wholly unfounded.  In a 
June 6 press event regarding the 2005 Trafficking in Persons 
report, reporters asked PA Counselor about the reports.  PA 
Counselor again dismissed the notion the USG was involved in 
any way.  Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Albert Del 
Rosario, who is in Manila, also requested clarification from 
the Charge on June 4 about allegations that a USG official 
had provided the tape to the opposition.  Charge denied the 
claim and reiterated US support for democracy and stability 
in the Philippines.  National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 
Director Reynaldo Wycoco also brought up the allegations in a 
June 5 meeting with Legatt.  Legatt also dismissed the 
claims. 
 
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Comment 
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5.  (C) Malacanang, which has been taking a pounding recently 
regarding jueteng and falling poll numbers (reftels), must 
believe that this pre-emptive strike would undermine any 
effort by the opposition to use the alleged tape as a way to 
discredit the Administration.  We are not sure of the precise 
origin tape itself, much less of the wild charge that the USG 
was somehow involved in this matter.  Politicians of all 
stripes in the Philippines often try to show that they have 
the blessing of the U.S., while the other side does not.  The 
reluctance of the opposition to release the tape earlier may 
indicate a realization that its contents were less damaging 
than rumors could be.  Mission will continue to urge all 
sides to focus on constructive activities that do not breed 
further cynicism toward politics and politicians. 
 
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MUSSOMELI