Word: arroyo
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Manila In her first full week as leader of the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was faced with both the resignation of the country?s Defense Secretary and persistent rumors of possible coup attempts by at least three military factions. Analysts say the decision of Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado to step down over policy differences with a newly appointed official both underscored the deep political divisions within the Philippines and reinforced the perception that Arroyo is having difficulty reconciling the interests of various pressure groups. The new President did, however, take an aggressive stance toward the whispers that she might...
...were a newly installed president of the Philippines and you heard a general was plotting to overthrow you, what would you do? If you were Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, heroine of last month's People Power II revolt in Manila, you'd get on your cell phone. At her maiden press conference last week, Arroyo was asked if Lieut. General Edgardo Espinosa, supposedly one of her most loyal military supporters, was planning a rebellion. As the news cameras rolled, Arroyo called the general and, using his nickname, asked: "Espine, are you going to stage a coup against me?" The general...
...posh mansion in San Juan, a Manila suburb, reportedly drinking lots of expensive red wine. General Espinosa was supposedly marshalling his forces for a truly petty reason: he was one of the first generals to decide to abandon Estrada two weeks ago and throw his support behind the pro-Arroyo movement on the streets of the capital. But before he could do so?and this is admitted by Espinosa?Estrada's Chief of Staff General Angelo Reyes stole a march on him and became one of the heroes of People Power II. Yet another plot was purportedly being readied...
...euphoria over People Power II is fading as Filipinos recognize the hazards that accompany a constitutionally challenging change of leaders. Estrada hasn't formally resigned, although the Philippine Supreme Court backed Arroyo's ascension, and is unlikely to rule favorably on any court challenges. A more tricky issue: the 1987 constitution singles out the military as "the protector" of the people, rather than the government, and that role has never been formally challenged...
...Arroyo realizes she has to accommodate her most influential People Power partners?not the eponymous people, but the cabal of generals who hoisted her to power. She moved swiftly to cement their support, shrewdly naming former President Fidel V. Ramos Special Ambassador of Goodwill, an anemic-sounding title for what could be a very powerful role. (Ramos is a former armed forces chief of staff, and during his six-year term as president there were no coup attempts.) Then, on her first day in office, Arroyo gave some of the juiciest government jobs to military...