Chiz: The people always have the right to oust oppressive,
corrupt leadership

Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero said on Monday the Filipino people always have the right to oust an oppressive, and corrupt leadership.

"It is an inherent right. This is what EDSA is all about," he said in a statement marking the 23d anniversary of the four-day people power uprising that ousted President Ferdinand Marcos.

Escudero was responding to what President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Sunday that while the world embraced EDSA 1, and tolerated EDSA 2, it will "condemn the Philippines" if another EDSA uprising takes place.

"It's curious that she (Arroyo) used 'world' and not the 'Filipino people." Perhaps a slip or admission that she is not as confident when it comes to the Filipino people," he said.

Since she became president in the aftermath of EDSA 2, Arroyo has faced two attempts by mutinous soldiers to oust her from power.

Escudero however said that it is the people who ultimately decides to exercise this option when all legal and constitutional means have been exhausted to change an untenable political situation.

In an earlier interview with Reuters news agency, the opposition senator said while Arroyo has turned out to be a "bad president," he does not think there will be another EDSA uprising "provided there will be elections" in 2010.

"When put in doubt, if and when (the holding of elections) is no longer clear, then I guess the possibility of another EDSA uprising occurring will be there," Escudero told Reuters.

"This one (Arroyo) has clearly been a bad president and nine years is too long," he added.

He reiterated his call for Arroyo to support changes in several laws which seek to stop large-scale corruption in government. These include placing all gov't-to-gov't and ODA contracts under the purview of the government procurement law and for gov't officials to waive their exemption from the Bank Secrecy Act.

"We have to dismantle the infrastructure of corruption which has risen to dizzying heights all these years," Escudero said.

He also reiterated his opposition to any move to change the charter during Arroyo's term.

"Malacanang and the administration party in Congress can always dream of a cha-cha. But I am of a firm belief that it is not possible, it will not happen, and it will never be accepted by the people," Escudero told

In the same statement, Escudero said that he could not blame several groups of retired and active soldiers, including those involved in past coup attempts against former President Corazon Aquino, for expressing support for detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

"I can't blame them given the incessant moves toward charter change and the possibility of term extensions for President Arroyo and other elected officials," he said.

The groups that put out the one-page ad in a major newspaper included the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM), the Young Officers Union, and the Samahang Magdalo.