US embassy cable - 05MANILA3161

UNCLAS MANILA 003161 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR D, P, EAP, EAP/PMBS, EAP/PD, INR/EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PINS, PREL, KPAO, RP 
SUBJECT: ARROYO ANNOUNCES SHE HAS NO PLANS TO RESIGN 
 
REF: A. MANILA 3154 
 
     B. MANILA 3153 
     C. MANILA 3139 
     D. MANILA 3133 
 
1.  (U) Summary:  In a brief pre-recorded statement delivered 
July 8 on radio, President Arroyo responded to her critics 
and stated that she had no plans to resign.  She said she 
plans to focus on getting the economy moving and on the 
delivery of social services.  Her remarks will not diminish 
the calls for her resignation, although they may help rally 
her remaining troops.  End Summary. 
 
2.  (U) In a brief (two-three minutes) pre-recorded radio 
announcement that was replayed on T.V., President Arroyo 
rejected calls for her resignation.  She said that her 
resignation would merely perpetuate a "broken system," 
adding, "The President must defend (our) hard-won democracy 
at all costs."  Arroyo advised her opponents to pursue their 
grievances through legitimate channels ("take your grievances 
to Congress") and said she is ready to face impeachment 
proceedings.  The President announced that she would appoint 
a new Cabinet in the next couple of days (she subsequently 
released six new appointments) and that she would focus on 
getting the economy moving again and providing social 
services.  Shortly before Arroyo's announcement, former 
president Fidel Ramos arrived at Malacanang and held a press 
conference, in which he repeated his calls for a move to a 
parliamentary form of government.  After the press conference 
ended, Ramos posed for photos with Arroyo, in an apparent 
show of support.  Malacanang also announced that the 
President would visit Cebu the evening of July 8. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Comment:  In her brief statement, Arroyo made 
clear -- while acknowledging the criticism -- that she plans 
to keep fighting and stay in office.  It was interesting that 
she stressed her aim to focus on the economy and on social 
services, when in her July 7 address she had focused more on 
fundamental political reforms (ref d).  Her remarks will not 
diminish the calls for her resignation, although they may 
help rally her remaining troops, who are demoralized due to 
the recent collapse in her support base (refs A-C). 
MUSSOMELI