I've been checking out Newsflash's old archives called Erap's Corner nung presidente pa siya, and found some interesting articles.
(It's now called Gloria's Corner btw, it became that nung na-install si ARroyo nung Jan. 2001.)
Here are some of the headlines:
ERAP TRUST RATING STILL HIGHER THAN GMA (Dec. 23, 2000)
MORE PINOYS WANT ERAP TO STAY -- SURVEY (Dec. 18, 2000)
Believe it or not, most Filipinos still pin their hopes of a better life on President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada.
A nationwide Social Weather Station (SWS) survey commissioned by ABS-CBN showed that at least 47 percent of the respondents believed that President Estrada should set aside politics and focus on sustaining the social and economic gains the country has been achieving in recent months.
Despite a brewing political crisis, the Philippines achieved a significant 5.8-percent growth in its Gross National Product and a 4.8-percent upswing in its Gross Domestic Product.
ERAP’S POPULARITY STEADY - PHIL STAR SURVEY (Dec. 12, 2000)
ERAP TRUSTED BY MORE FILIPINOS THAN OPPOSITION, RELIGIOUS LEADERS - SURVEY Dec. 6, 2000
MORE FILIPINOS AGAINST ERAP RESIGNATION - PULSE ASIA SURVEY Dec. 2, 2000
MANILANS AGAINST ERAP'S RESIGNATION -- SURVEY Nov. 21, 2000
LAKAS SURVEY SHOWS ERAP SNAP POLL WIN -- PALACE Oct. 27, 2000
ERAP POPULARITY UP IN SURVEY Oct. 18, 2000
ERAP SHOULD NOT RESIGN -- SURVEY Oct. 16, 2000
Comment: Most of the surveys showed erap was more popular than the opposition at that time and most say that he shouldn't resign -- pero natanggal pa rin siya.
OTOH, most recent surveys show people want Arroyo to resign or be removed from office and have given her low approval ratings, but she's the one who was able to cling to her position by brute force and intimidation.
go figure.
Moral of the story: don't trust surveys. ;) :p
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NO MARTIAL LAW, NO STATE OF EMERGENCY - MALACANANG (Dec. 31, 2000)
Malacañang brushed aside allegations that yesterday’s bombing spree in Metro Manila was a prelude to the declaration of martial law.
Acting Press Secretary Mike Toledo, speaking on national television, rued that certain quarters were exploiting the situation to discredit the Estrada administration.
"Let me just say that it is really a pathetic statement," Toledo said.
"It is very sad that a number of innocent lives have already been lost because of this cowardly and dastardly act, definitely terrorist in nature, and yet some people are still playing politics when innocent lives are already at stake. So we urge those who say these things to refrain from doing so because we are really looking into the bottom of this," Toledo appealed.
Despite an actual terrorist attack on Rizal Day, Dec. 2000 at the LRT train, Estrada never called for a "State of Emergency". GMA, OTOH, declared a "state of emergency" kahit na wala namang coup na nangyari.
NO STATE OF EMERGENCY, PALACE REASSURES PUBLIC Nov. 27, 2000
Malacañang reassured the public Monday that it will not declare a state of emergency amid the start of mass protests seeking the resignation of President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada.
National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre made this clear as he belied claims by some groups that the President has been pressured to take drastic action.
"Walang state of emergency. We will never declare a state of emergency. Walang ganyan kundi the usual laws will be applied and enforced (There is no state of emergency, we will never declare that. We will only enforce and apply the law)," Aguirre said on radio this morning.
He said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will remain on alert, particularly while the mass actions are going on.
But he made it clear that the PNP and AFP will continue to respect the constitutional rights of participants in peaceful demonstrations.
Respect the constitutional rights of participants in peaceful demonstrations? Wow, astig yan ah. Wala na kasing ganyan ngayon sa panahon ni Madam ARroyo eh.
NO PLAN FOR EMERGENCY RULE, PALACE REASSURES PUBLIC Oct. 28, 2000
National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre said President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada remains committed to protect the Constitution and its processes, and is not keen on taking so-called constitutional shortcuts.
"Hinding hindi mag-declare ng martial law or state of emergency ang Pangulo. There will be none because ang ating action ngayon protektahan at sustenahan ang ating democratic institutions (The President will never, never declare Martial Law or a state of emergency. Our action is to protect and sustain our democratic institutions)," Aguirre said on government radio.
He said mass actions are signs that democracy in the Philippines remains alive and well – so long as they are peaceful.
"Ang rallies and assemblies yan ay senyales ng mabuting demokrasya because there is freedom of speech and assembly (They are signs of a vibrant democracy because there is freedom of speech and assembly)," he said.
Despite Malacañang’s repeated denials, some groups continue to claim that the President is thinking of declaring Martial Law or a state of emergency.
Last Sunday, the President maintained that he will not step down from office until 2004, saying he will continue to uphold the Constitution.
Are you crazy, Mr. Aguirre? Rallies at assemblies mabuti sa democrasya? Hindi ka ba natatakot na ma people power kayo???
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MALACANANG OPTIMISTIC ECONOMY WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE Nov. 29, 2000
Malacanang is optimistic that the series of reform programs that have been implemented under the administration of President Joseph Estrada would open a big prospect for economic improvement in the next three years.
Press Secretary Ricardo "Dong" Puno Jr. said on Wednesday that despite the cries and shouts that the economy is going to the dogs, the objective facts would show that the economy is improving as reflected in the third quarter report recently released by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
"That’s probably very difficult to accept on the part of some people but any objective assessment of the economy right now has to take that (NEDA report) into consideration," he pointed out.
According to Puno, the doomsday scenario that certain sectors are portraying about the economy is in great contrast with what the facts are actually saying.
He noted that the period covered by the NEDA report was the height of the crisis in Mindanao wherein critics of the Estrada administration have predicted a downturn in the economy as a result of the conflict.
"It is not usually wise to make a rush judgment about the economy, sometimes it makes a surprising move," the Press Secretary said.
In comparing the performance of the current administration to the previous one, Puno said the Estrada government has fared favorably in terms of what was done by the past dispensation.
He cited as proof the facts contained in the third quarter report, namely the 5.7 percent growth in the gross national product (GNP), the 4.8 percent in gross domestic product (GDP), the significant increase in agricultural products and the substantial dollar remittance from the overseas Filipino workers.
Puno appealed to administration critics to wait for the outcome of the fourth quarter report before making any rush judgment on the economic performance of the country for that particular period.
By comparing the administration’s performance last year’s previous records, this year’s performance, he said, "is not bad at all."
MALAYA EDITORIAL ON THE ECONOMY Nov. 30, 2000
SAYANG. Just when the economy was picking up, "juetengate" and its political fallout would blow like a typhoon and derail the growth momentum.
Gross domestic product grew by a strong 4.8 percent during the third quarter, one percentage point higher than the 3.8 percent expansion during the same period last year. Gross national product (which is GDP plus income from abroad, principally remittances of overseas workers) grew by 5.7 percent, from 3.8 percent during the third quarter in 1999.
The expansion, while still far below the sizzling growth rates of our neighbors of 7 to 10 percent, was remarkable. Everybody was expecting an anemic performance as the war in Mindanao during the first half of the year took its toll.
The same people who are now talking of an economic meltdown were predicting in the middle of the year not a slowdown but a contraction. They sneered at assurances by economic managers that the fundamentals were strong and that growth was accelerating and broad-based.
The third quarter figures vindicated the optimists.
Agriculture expanded by 5.5 percent, industry by 4.4 percent and services by 4.9 percent. The bottom had been reached. The weaknesses of the economy appeared to have played themselves out.
But with our genius for shooting ourselves in the foot, we have driven away investors and scared creditors with the tumult generated by the allegations of presidential wrongdoing.
Comment: Heh. Of course, at that time most of the Arroyo apologist didn't give a damn about our economy. LOL.
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Thousands of Filipino Christians Pray for Estrada's Swift Resignation (12/11/00)
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jaime Sin, led a prayer rally by a broad coalition of Christians and activists in the Philippines capital December 7 to urge President Joseph "Erap" Estrada to resign immediately.
On the first day of impeachment hearings against the president, thousands of protesters, many of them Catholics, crowded into Manila's Roxas Boulevard to attend an open-air service described as a "protest Eucharist" and "prayer of the people." Most of those present represented Catholic parish councils and schools, as well as universities, business clubs, workers and women's groups.
"Mr. President, do not be afraid to resign," Cardinal Sin said in his homily. He told the president, a former star of action films: "I will take care of you. Resignation is not defeat. Only brave men do that."
He added: "The truth is you have lost your moral ascendancy to govern us. Face the truth, and be courageous. The country is already suffering."
Among those on stage with the cardinal were several Catholic bishops, former president, Corazon Aquino, the vice-president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and student representatives from Catholic schools. The protest was organized by a coalition of trade unions, political parties and citizens' rights groups.
Thank you Cardinal Sin. Thank you, Mrs. Arroyo.
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MORE REFORMS COMING, ERAP ASSURES PUBLIC (Dec. 15, 2000)
Comment: Sounds familiar.
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I LEAVE MY FATE IN GOD'S HANDS -- ERAP Dec. 7, 2000
Comment: Heh. Pero wala pa ring binatbat si erap kay GMA. Because she is god's chosen one raw.
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PALACE FOILS BOMBER Nov. 25, 2000
The Presidential Security Group (PSG) foiled yesterday an attempt to bomb Malacañang by a man who managed to slip past at least two layers of security guarding the Palace. The military's chief intelligence officer later identified him as an active member of the Communist New People's Army.
The suspect, identified as Tirso Padel, is now under interrogation by members of the PSG and Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) at Camp Aguinaldo.
According to two reporters who witnessed the incident, which took place less than 200 meters away from President Estrada’s residence, Padel entered Malacañang’s Gate 6 along J.P. Laurel st. that was guarded by three Palace guards at 10:15 a.m.
He, however, quickly bypassed the metal detector and once through, he pulled out an improvised incendiary bomb from a black-and-yellow backpack he was carrying and began shouting "May mga solusyon ba tayo sa mga problema natin sa bayan! Nasaan ang media? (Do we have solutions to the problems facing our country? Where’s the media?)"
He ran towards the inner sentry gate guarding Malacañang Palace and the Presidential Residence while PSG men pursued him with cocked guns. The commotion caused visitors to the Malacañang Museum to scamper for safety.
Padel ran towards the rotunda fronting Kalayaan Hall. With his back against the large tree at the center of the circle, he raised the Molotov cocktail, which was a liter-sized Coke bottle, and threatened to light its fuse.
A barong-clad member of the PSG explosives and ordnance division subdued Padel and took the Molotov away from him. While pinned to the ground, Padel kept shouting "may dokumento ako! (I have documents)."
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ERAP OFFERS RECONCILIATION, NOT RESIGNATION Oct. 31, 2000
GLORIA REJECTS ERAP’S OFFER Oct. 31, 2000
ERAP CALLS FOR UNITY Oct. 29, 2000
PRAYER RALLY TOMORROW FOCUSED ON PEACE, RECONCILIATION November 10, 2000
Comment: kalokohan ang reconciliation offer mo, Erap!
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RAMOS PLOTTING TO SEIZE POWER -- ERAP Oct. 21, 2000
Comment: Lumang tugtugin na yan, Erapski.
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ERAP TO SOLDIERS: “HELP ME DEFEND CONSTITUTION” Oct. 23, 2000
ESTRADA VOWS TO COMPLETE HIS 6-YEAR TERM Oct. 20, 2000
Comment: Gud luck wit dat, Mr. Erap.
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ERAP BARES TERROR PLOT BY FOES Oct. 17, 2000
Comment: Some things never change. Moving on...
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