The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines yesterday denounced as "outrageous and foolish" what it called attempts by disgruntled politicians and leftist groups to play up the possible installation of a civilian junta that would temporarily run the country.

"An extra-constitutional junta, whether civilian, military or civilian-military in nature, is totally unacceptable. It is up-and-down despotic and anti-democratic," TUCP spokesperson Alex Aguilar said in a press release.

"We are appalled at the loose talk and motions of a possible junta, coming no less from members of Congress, who have sworn to uphold the Constitution," Aguilar said.

Precisely because it is extra-constitutional, Aguilar said that any civilian junta would find it difficult to command the military.

"They might be able to do this by bringing in military representatives, in which case the junta becomes a civilian-military cabal," he warned.

Aguilar expressed confidence that the country's three branches of government -- the executive, the judiciary and the legislature -- "remain institutionally durable and should endure current and future challenges without ever having to consider the prospect of a junta."

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran had earlier called for the establishment of a junta to replace President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro.

Beltran said a civilian junta should be created as an interim government - - to temporarily run the country until a new president and vice president are elected in a snap election.*

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