February 24, 2006 · Posted in: In the News, Podcasts, State of Emergency
State of emergency declared
FIVE hours after the military announced that it had foiled an attempted "withdrawal of support" from the president by rebel soldiers, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo announced that she was declaring a state of emergency.
In a strongly worded statement broadcast over national television, a stern-looking Arroyo said that the military had frustrated an attempt by rebel officers to set up an alternative government with support from "outsiders" and warned that the full force of the law would be used against "traitors." (Click here for the podcast of the President’s statement)
Arroyo read the statement in Tagalog at about 11:30 this morning, as thousands were gathering at Edsa to protest against her rule. She assured the country that she was in full control as commander-in-chief and that the "illegal move" had been nipped in the bud. She said that local governments, her base of support, would continue to provide services to the people and that the police and the armed forces would keep the media informed about the developments. She also asked the media not to broadcast rumors and unconfirmed reports.
It is not clear what a state of emergency means as Arroyo did not invoke the constitutional right of the president to declare such a state. Lawyers say she is merely describing the existing situation rather than invoking the use of extraordinary powers. The 1987 constitution states that congressional approval is need before the president can exercise emergency powers, including arresting people without a warrant and indefinitely detaining them. The declaration this morning was actually more of a warning to her opponents and their potential supporters and a demonstration that she is in command.
13 Responses to State of emergency declared
emer_md
February 24th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Let’s pray this won’t get too messy.
thepublicthing
February 24th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
She just coursed our history anew to another unknown path.
Arroyo declares “State of Emergency” at JaypeeOnline
February 24th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
[…] Inside PCIJ has been blogging about the developments, the proclamation and what Proclamation 1017 is all about. You can read the entries here, here and here. […]
ApoMcKoy
February 25th, 2006 at 4:35 am
Of what good is democracy if it is not for the poor?
Source: “Notes on the New Society”
When authoritarianism is no longer necessary to protect the welfare of the people, I will be the first to move for its dismantling. But the easy, casual wave of the hand dismissing the dangers that confront the worsening world situation and us is not for me. It is for those who insist that I dismantle martial law against my best judgment but, legally and morally, cannot be held liable for any Kampuchean-like tragedy that would be fall our people if I followed their advice. But I would be liable. I would be called all kinds of names. I would be called stupid, naïve and obstinate. History and our people would hold me accountable not only perhaps for lack of wisdom, but for lack of courage if I followed such advice.
Source: Remarks at the inauguration of the Philippines Columbian Association’s New Clubhouse Complex, Plaza Dilao, Manila, 14 December 1979
3zz-fe
February 27th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS THAT GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING! – Edmund Burke
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » House minority lawmakers challenge Proclamation 1017 before Supreme Court
March 3rd, 2006 at 1:13 am
[…] TWENTY-TWO opposition lawmakers led by House minority leader Rep. Francis Escudero today joined petitioners who have earlier questioned before the Supreme Court the constitutional basis of Gloria MAcapagal-Arroyo’s declaration of a state of national emergency last February 24. […]
Harry
April 4th, 2006 at 11:53 pm
This is an abolute outrage!
I am from Phil. but I moved to U.K. in 2002.
I have just heared about this news.
She has no right mind to do petition 1017.
Think what will happen to the majority of people.
the economy will be brought down because of this action.
Think of the things the poor majority would do.
They will try to rebel. If i was them, I would.
3zz-fe said,
ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR THE TRIUMPH OF EVIL IS THAT GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING! – Edmund Burke
well I think that doing a little evil (rallys, pressuring GMA) will do a lot of Good!
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » 1017 at the Oarhouse
April 10th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
[…] Many of the pictures show the police bearing down hard on the protesters, especially near the Edsa shrine, on Feb. 24, the 20th anniversary of the first people power revolt, when Proclamation 1017 declaring a state of emergency, was signed. Many images chronicle the Marine standoff at Fort Bonifacio on Feb. 26. […]
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Supreme Court: PP 1017 partly unconstitutional
May 3rd, 2006 at 11:22 pm
[…] On February 24, Arroyo placed the country under a state of national emergency, claiming that there was a leftist-rightist plot to topple her administration. A week after, the president lifted PP 1017, declaring that the alleged “conspiracy” has been successfully dealt with and that peace and order has been restored. […]
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Supreme Court decision, concurring and dissenting opinions on Proclamation 1017
May 4th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
[…] VOTING 11-3, the Supreme Court yesterday upheld the constitutionality of Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 issued by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which placed the country under a week-long state of national emergency last Feburary 24, 2006. Acts committed by government authorities under the said proclamation as the warrantless arrests (here, here, and here) and raid of the Daily Tribune office were however declared unconstitutional. To better understand the recent Court ruling, we provide readers the full text of the following: […]
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » ‘Batasan 5′ leaves House custody
May 8th, 2006 at 11:56 am
[…] After announcing on Feb. 24 that the plot had been thwarted, Mrs. Arroyo on the same day placed the country under a state of emergency, which would last for a week. […]
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Sol Gen appeals to Supreme Court on PP 1017
June 5th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
[…] THERE was a clear threat to the State, and, acting in good faith, the President declared a state of national emergency to thwart anarchy and preserve democracy. On this note, the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision on Presidential Proclamation 1017, declaring a state of emergency, and General Order No. 5 which implemented it. […]
The Daily PCIJ » Blog Archive » A continuing saga of military adventurism
November 30th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
[…] that they have thwarted an attempt by rogue soldiers to withdraw support from the government. A state of national emergency is declared, followed by a mutiny of the Marines at Fort […]