TIMELINE – THESE ARE THE FACTS, IN BLACK AND WHITE
June 5 - Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye announces existence of wiretappedconversations between PGMA and unnamed COMELEC official in which the two allegedly talk about rigging the 2004 elections. Sec. Bunye says tape will be released by the Opposition.
"Obviously, this news story about election fraud is pure concoction." - Sec. Ignacio Bunye, Press Secretary
June 6 - Sec. Bunye plays two CDs for Palace reporters. He says one is authentic and is spliced. He also acknowledges that the voice of the woman on the tape is the President’s.
June 7 - Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano denies it’s his voice on the tape. COMELEC Chairman says tapes did not contain the voice of any COMELEC official.
June 8 - Edgar Ruado, a former administration political advisor and now staff member to Congressman Iggy Arroyo, goes to the NBI to say the man’s voice (Gary) in the wiretapped conversation “sounded like his”. Meanwhile, ISAFP Chief Brig. Gen. Marlou Quevedo is relieved from his post.
June 9 - Sec. Bunye now says he is not 100% sure that it is GMA’s voice on the tape; just 80% sure now.
June 10 - Former NBI Deputy Director Samuel Ong surfaces and claims he has the “mother of all tapes”. He challenges government authorities to check inventory of ISAFP files because he says four tapes are missing. ISAFP denies the charge. Ong seeks refuge in San Carlos Seminary. Military intelligence agent T/Sgt. Vidal Doble also goes to San Carlos. After three days, Ong and Doble leave the seminary.
June 15 - Congress begins investigation into the tapes in an executive session.
“There are underlying issues – the right of people to know the truth and whether the [anti-wiretapping law] prohibits a legislative inquiry from accepting the tapes, maybe not as evidence, but even for reference.” - Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano
June 27 - Oliver Lozano files first impeachment complaint at 10:50 am in the House of Representatives.
June - The President finally breaks her silence on the issue and speaks on national television at 7:00 pm.
“I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official. My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not…
…I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I’m sorry…I take full responsibility for my actions and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events…
…I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governance.” - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
July 7 - The President speaks again.
“When I first entered politics in 1992, little did I know that within a decade I will become President of our country. And little did I expect that within five years, there would be calls from civil society for my resignation in office or for the formation of a ‘Truth Commission’ regarding some of my political actuations.
“When I spoke before the nation some two weeks ago, I did so against the advice of my legal counsel.
“I am not resigning my office.
“…I will restructure and strengthen the Cabinet, giving a free hand to meanwhile reform and manage our day to day governance with as little political interference as possible, even from me…I am asking my entire Cabinet to tender their resignation in order to give the Executive a free hand to reorganize itself.” - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
July 8 - Ten Cabinet Secretaries resign from the Arroyo administration
“With deep concern and firm resolve, and after a long period of reflection, debate and consultations, we the undersigned, are hereby submitting our collective irrevocable resignation.
“…This preemption does not change our conviction that her decisions as of late are guided mainly by her determination to survive as President. We believe she will continue to make her decisions according to this norm.
“…At the core of these concerns are the issues of leadership and credibility – the ability of our President to continue to lead and govern our country with the trust and confidence of our people.
“The longer the President stays in office under a cloud of doubt and mistrust, and with her style of decision-making, the greater the damage on the economy and the more vulnerable to fragile political situation becomes…the poor will suffer the most.” - Hyatt 10
July 8 - former President Corazon C. Aquino calls on Mrs. Arroyo to resign. Meanwhile, former President Fidel V. Ramos spends the day playing golf then hies off to the Palace to throw support behind Mrs. Arroyo.
“…I cannot escape the conclusion that is plain for all to see: the country cannot continue in its present tumulutous state; good and effective governance has become an impossible undertaking.
“Without this sacrifice, our country faces only a future of danger to its freedom and progress. That sacrifice must be made by the President as soon as possible.
“At this juncture, only two constitutional paths remain open for the peaceful and democratic resolution of the present crisis crippling the government and endangering the nation…The first is the President’s voluntary resignation for a smooth transition…The second is the long and inherently contentious process of congressional impeachment that can only generate more divisions in society and cast more suspicions on the threatened institutions of our democracy.” - Former President Corazon C. Aquino
July 8
“…take your grievances to Congress where I’m very willing to submit to due process as called for by our Constitution.” - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a radio address
July 10
“…we recognize that nonviolent appeals for her resignation, the demand for a Truth Commission and the filing of an impeachment case are not against the Gospel.
“In all these we remind ourselves that a just political and moral order is best promoted under the present circumstances by a clear and courageous preference for constitutional processes that flow from moral values and the natural law…We also appeal to people, especially their representatives and leaders, to discern their decisions not in terms of political loyalties but in the light of the Gospel values of truth, justice, and the common good.” - Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines
July 10
“I give thanks to the bishops for their statement of guidance and wisdom…I will read every line and everything between the lines…” -President Arroyo’s reaction to the CBCP statement
July 14 - Former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano reportedly leaves for Singapore on board an chartered Learjet. He is said to have proceeded to London.
July 14 - Chavit Singson presents his X-tape.
July 15
“We thus urge her [PGMA] to initiate the formation and operation of a Truth Commission, with members to be selected by and among a group of eminent persons held in high public esteem.
“We urge the President to announce the formation of the Truth Commission during, if not before, her State of the Nation Address.” - Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference (BBC)
July 18
“In all humility, I took to heart the admonition that I should not simply dismiss calls for my resignation from office, and that through prayer, we can arrive at decisions for the common good that are based on moral precepts.
“…I have initiated the creation of a commission or a similar body to look into the truth behind issues recently raised against me.” - President Arroyo’s letter to the CBCP
July 18 - President Arroyo’s counsel, Atty. Pedro Ferrer, files answer to Lozano complaint.
July 25
“Over the years, our political system has degenerated to the extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean.” - President Arroyo in State of the Nation Address
August 1 - Michael Angelo Zuce surfaces.
“I am coming out today with what I know about the fraud and cheating committed in the 2004 National Elections that have put my family and myself in danger since the time the ‘Gloriagate’ tape came out…
“What I know is that Pres. Arroyo is not merely the beneficiary of the cheating in the 2004 National Elections contained and talked about in the ‘Gloriagate’ tape conversations with COMELEC Comm. Garcillano. She had knowledge and direct participation in it.
“The conspiracy to cheat and rig the 2004 National Elections began as early as October 2002 when our Office presented to Pres. Arroyo a Special Project on the NATIONWIDE CONSULTATION OF ELECTION OFFICERS UNDER THE STEWARDSHIP OF ATTY. GARCILLANO.” - Michaelangelo Zuce, former staff member with the Office of the Presidential Liaison Officer for Political Affairs, Malacanang under then-Secretary Joey Rufino
Zuce releases photocopies of letters between Sec. Rufino, PGMA, and Atty. Garcillano dating back to October 2002.
August 3 - Speaker Jose de Venecia tells media that he and Antipolo City Congressman Ronaldo Puno have 189 firm commitments to prevent complaint from reaching the Senate for trial, whatever the evidence against Mrs. Arroyo. Impeachment Hearings are not scheduled to start until August 10.
August 10 - First day of Impeachment Hearings in the House. Session suspended in less than an hour.
August 12 - DENR Secretary Mike Defensor holds a press conference to debunk the Garci Tapes.
“That was her (GMA’s) voice, but she was not the one talking.” - Secretary Mike Defensor
August 18 - President Arroyo reportedly talks with Marcos family over FM burial in Libingan ng mga Bayani.
August 19 - President Arroyo signs EO 453 to create consultative commission on Constitutional Amendments; still no Truth Commission as promised in letter to CBCP on July 18.
August 20 - President Arroyo speaks at the El Shaddai anniversary. Former President Estrada also allowed by the government to speak before the El Shaddai.
August 21 - President Arroyo attends memorial mass service for Ninoy Aquino.
August 26 - President Arroyo cancels engagement in Malabon to speak with 12 Congressmen in Malacanang. Sorsogon Congressman Jose Solis confirms that she asked about the status of the impeachment complaint.
1 comment:
Where did you get that timeline? As Yogi Berra would have said: It's deja vu all over again!
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