Philippine leader denies rigging election
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-28 09:20

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo denied rigging last year's ballot but apologized Monday for "a lapse in judgment" in telling a Philippine election official she wanted a million-vote victory margin.

In a nationally televised speech, Arroyo said she would not resign and appealed for unity as she addressed the 3-week-old political crisis over the wiretapped phone conversation. The disclosure of that phone call has prompted calls for Arroyo to resign with five years left in her term.

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo looks on before delivering her statement in a live television addressed to the nation at the Malacanang presidential palace, in Manila. Arroyo apologized to the nation after admitting she called an elections commissioner during last year's election but denied rigging the vote. [AFP]

"I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment," a somber Arroyo said.

"I am sorry. I also regret taking so long to speak before you on this matter ... I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governing."

Reconciliation appeared to be far away, however, as opposition groups vowed to pursue protests and legal steps against her.

"This sparked many more questions than just the president admitting she was the one on the tape," opposition Rep. Francis Escudero said. "But this is the first important step toward the country finding out the truth."

Filipino protesters hold slogans with pictures of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as they call for her ouster in Manila Monday June 27, 2005.[AP]

Rep. Roilo Golez, a former national security adviser under Arroyo, withdrew support for her late Monday, saying she should resign because she had lost her moral authority to lead, and warning the issue would paralyze Congress when in convenes next month.

Eddie Villanueva, who finished fourth in the election, said Arroyo should call a special election. Popular action film actor Fernando Poe Jr., who finished second — 1.1 million votes behind Arroyo — died from a stroke in December.

Several House committees began hearings last week on the wiretap tapes of the conversation between Arroyo and former Election Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, which Arroyo said occurred when the May 2004 election results already were forecast, but the final numbers had not been announced.

In the recordings, a woman sounding like Arroyo is heard discussing with Garcillano ways to secure a million-vote margin in the ballot. The government later prohibited broadcasting of the recording.

"I take full responsibility for my actions. To you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by this event, I want to assure you that I have redoubled my efforts to serve the nation and earn your trust," Arroyo said Monday.

Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye said it was time to move on.

"There is nothing illegal here," Bunye said in a statement. "The only value in pursuing this at this point is political embarrassment. No doubt her detractors will continue to stoke the controversy for their own personal gain. But for most reasonable people, this issue is now behind us."

But the opposition and leftist groups that have held street protests against Arroyo, whose popularity rating plummeted to a record low just before the scandal broke, said they would not let up.

"She has admitted guilt," said leftist Rep. Teodoro Casino. "It was an illegal act, not simple lapse of judgment. The next proper thing for her to do is to resign or be impeached."

About 500 people attending a candlelight protest in suburban Quezon City snarled traffic by burning tires.

"There is no other recourse but to double our efforts to oust her," Renato Reyes, secretary general of the leftist group Bayan, told the crowd.

The scandal erupted as Arroyo grappled with daunting problems, including rising oil prices, a huge budget deficit and security issues.

She also has been damaged by accusations her son and brother-in-law, both members of Congress, pocketed huge illegal gambling payoffs. The two have denied the allegations.

A lawyer critical of the government, Oliver Lozano, filed an impeachment complaint against Arroyo at the House on Monday, calling her a "bogus president."

The prospects for the complaint were difficult to ascertain. At least one member of the 236-member Congress has to endorse the complaint if it is to be considered for discussion.

Lawmakers have been debating whether the recordings, reportedly made during illegal wiretaps by military intelligence agents, could be used in legal proceedings.

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