Sabi nila
“Bilang commander in chief, kontrolado ko ang sitwasyon.” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on February 24, 2006, declaring the national state of emergency.
Asked on whether he was still supporting Macapagal-Arroyo, “It’s waning, waning.”- Former president Fidel V. Ramos
“Rumours of martial law have no basis and the state of emergency will be temporary. The objective is to preserve the constitution, defend the rule of law, prevent violence and disorder." - Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye
“ Mrs President, I ask you to make the supreme sacrifice of resigning. – former president Corazon C. Aquino
“Of course we are aware of the political nuances of having this declaration, and the utilisation of such powers will be, as I’ve said, in the defense of the state, meaning to say we will not be attacking people, putting them in jail… but this particular pinpoint, the main targets, or the principle conspirators in this attempt to bring down the Government.” – Presidential spokesperson Mike Defensor
“This is foolishness. This is not an inquest, charge me with contempt.”- Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran, lawmaker arrested February 25,2006 on charges of rebellion. He denounced the inquest arranged by the the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
“We are here, we are not hiding. We are not cowed. We will see this regime ousted from power.” -Dr Carol Pagaduan-Araullo, chairperson, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).
“All I thought about was that my men depended on me,” Colonol Ariel Querubin, the Marine officer who figured in the February 26 seven-hour standoff in protest of the relief of his commandant, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda
“May the key players in this military and political unrest all listen to one another in dialogue and come to agreement for the good of our country.”- Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) chairman Iloilo Archbishop Angel Lagdameo
“We survived Marcos’ 1081, there is no reason to think we will not survive 1017. Arroyo is a poor copy of the dictator Marcos,” activist priest Fr. Joe Dizon, convenor of Kairos.
“Malacañang, through Proclamation 1017, is the one creating fear to quell legitimate protests against the government. Malacañang could not just go on a witch-hunting spree and violate human rights and freedom of expression through a toothless edict,” – Atty. Neri Colmenares, Counsels for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL)
“The country is now under a pseudo-dictatorship that started with the baseless arrests of Ms Arroyo’s enemies, dispersal of protest rallies, harassment of the media and other sectors fighting the looming dictator,” Senator Jinggoy Estrada
“Just as we urge the government to immediately revoke PP 1017, we also urge the Armed Forces to continue upholding the Constitution,” the MBC said in a statement. “Instead of preserving democracy, the proclamation threatens people’s rights and freedoms reminiscent of martial law-” Makati Business Club
“Sa tanang buhay ko ngayon lang ako natawag na conspirator [In my entire life it’s only now that I’ve been called a conspirator]. ” Former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.’s widow Susan Roces said, referring to the Malacañang document that said her declaration to join the protest march at EDSA on February 24 was part of a conspiracy against the President.
