"An omen of things to come."

That is how Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla describes the controversial Executive Order 464 that prohibits officials from attending congressional hearings, the no permit-no rally policy, court martial of Marine Gen. Francisco Gudani and Lt. Col. Alexander Balutan for testifying on the election fraud in Mindanao, and the resignation of Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, among others.

If the Supreme Court decides in favor of the executive branch in the EO 464 case, which prevents the legislative branch of government from exercising its role of fiscalizer, Congress may end up as "inutile", Remulla said.

Remulla also expects to be stripped of his chairmanship of the House Committee on Information for voting for the impeachment of President Arroyo.

Remulla and other opposition members in Congress questioned the wisdom of those behind the drafting of the controversial EO 464, which they describe as "flawed".

He also shared the assessments of other lawmakers that the stand-off between the executive and legislative branches of the government, if not properly addressed, may lead to constitutional crisis.

Remulla said he hopes the Supreme Court will make its decision on the controversial EO 464 a top priority.

Insisting on the implementation of EO 464, Remulla said, shows that President Arroyo has no intention to reconcile with the opposition.

Gudani who is retiring from the military service effective Oct. 4, and Balutan, face court martial for disobeying a direct order from President Arroyo, who is their commander-in-chief.

Remulla who was speaker at the joint induction of officers and new members of Occidental Negros (Host) Lions Club, Mt. Kanlaon Lions Club and Bacolod Traders Lion Club in Bacolod City last night, also said the implementation of "no permit- no rally policy" is a way used by the present administration to scare the protestors.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, in a statement, challenged President Arroyo to disprove the impression that the country is in a state of "undeclared Martial Law" by scrapping the no permit-no rally policy.

The Commission on Human Rights had earlier criticized the no permit-no rally policy as unconstitutional and violative of civil liberties of the people.

Pimentel said the failure of Arroyo to be guided by the CHR will re-enforce the accusation that she has the propensity to place herself above the law, and that she is harboring plans of imposing martial law or emergency rule.*GPB

back to top