RP president accuses Ramos allies of destabilization plots
RP president accuses Ramos allies of destabilization plots
MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada on Wednesday
accused figures linked to his predecessor Fidel Ramos of being
behind a plot to "topple and destabilize my administration."
"Information has reached me that it is not just meetings but
even funding and other intrigues (are taking place) in order to
topple and destabilize my administration," Estrada said in a
radio interview.
Government officials have charged in the past that a group
which it did not identify was holding secret meetings to concoct
propaganda against the Estrada administration.
Asked about reports that figures associated with the Ramos
administration were behind this, Estrada said "it looks like it."
Estrada added: "I suspect that this is to cover up the billions
that were lost from our state coffers during the last
administration."
He repeated accusations that Ramos and his men were involved
in diversion of funds and irregular deals. Ramos has rejected any
wrongdoing.
Asked how he would counter such a plot, Estrada said his
advisers told him "there is nothing to worry about especially
since the running of the government is transparent and our
economy is slowly improving."
Estrada did not specifically link Ramos to the alleged plot
nor did he identify the supposed Ramos men who were involved.
It was the latest salvo in the brewing war between Estrada and
Ramos, who earlier this week, criticized Estrada for
indecisiveness which he blamed for the economy's sluggish
recovery.
The criticism followed a nationwide survey which showed that
Estrada's popularity rating plunged 22 percentage points to 56
percent in the three months to September.
It also came after a committee created by Estrada recommended
last week that Ramos be fined six months' salary for failing to
prevent diversion of state funds towards infrastructure and other
projects to mark last year's centennial of Filipino rebels'
declaration of independence from Spanish rule.
Ramos has rejected the committee's findings, saying it had no
jurisdiction over private citizens.