GMA SUPPORTS EXECUTION OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS BUT...

After making a series of "unpopular decisions" since her declaration in
December 2002 that she would not run in the May 2004 polls, President Arroyo
is back to taking the middle ground.

In an official Palace statement, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said
that while the President expressed support to the proposed execution of
convicted big-time drug traffickers, she would not want the Filipino nation
to be divided on the issue so that the government's campaign against illegal
drugs won't be affected.

"It may not be timely to spark extended debates on the death penalty while
we are trying to consolidate the nation behind the war against illegal
drugs," Bunye explained.

"She wants the nation to be united, not divided, on all issues relating to
the anti-drug campaign," Bunye added.

Bunye issued the explanation as he rejected, on behalf of the Palace, a
proposed bill at the House of Representatives filed by Iloilo Rep. Augusto
Syjuco seeking the beheading of convicted drug lords as a strong deterrent
to drug trafficking.

"Such kind of suggestion is not sanctioned by law. Our laws have provided
for the method of execution through lethal injection," Bunye said.

Bunye particularly referred to the Death Penalty Law, which metes capital
punishment on those convicted for drug trafficking, among other "heinous
crimes."

But what could have been an innocent statement became a ticklish subject as
Bunye was pressed by Palace reporters if the President's stand is indicative
of a change of heart regarding her decision not to run in next year's
elections.

"The President has made a decision in 2002. That decision has not changed.
That decision has allowed her to concentrate on issues that required her
personal attention," Bunye said.

He noted that Mrs. Arroyo has been consistent in her stand in favoring
capital punishment for convicted drug traffickers.

"But in deference to the request of the Church and other well-meaning third
parties, the President has temporarily put this on hold," Bunye said.

In the Palace press briefing, Bunye clarified the controversial statement of
presidential chief of staff Rigoberto Tiglao in a television talk show the
other day that "national interest" may prompt Mrs. Arroyo to reconsider her
decision not to throw her hat in the 2004 presidential race.

"It is the duty of any President to serve the national interest and to
sacrifice self-interest in doing so," Bunye argued, adding that Mrs. Arroyo
has not made any statement on the issue and refuses to be distracted by
partisan politics in her task of tackling vital national concerns.

"This is a matter that should not distract us from the fight against drugs,
especially at a time when we're consolidating the whole nation on the
anti-drug campaign," Bunye stressed.

A devout Catholic, Mrs. Arroyo has ordered a temporary suspension on
executions of death row convicts until after Congress finally acts on the
pending measure that seeks to repeal the Death Penalty Law.

She, however, cited that she would consider lifting her moratorium on
execution as soon as the Supreme Court elevates to the Office of the
President the cases of five convicts whose sentences were earlier affirmed
by the High Tribunal.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has expressed support for the lifting
of the suspension of the imposition of the death penalty on drug convicts.

Justice Undersecretary and spokeswoman Merceditas Gutierrez told reporters
that imposing capital punishment on drug convicts would give "impact" on the
renewed campaign of government against illegal drugs.

At present, there are a total of 1,019 death convicts at the New Bilibid
Prisons but only 38 were sentenced to die by lethal injection for
drug-related cases. It was not immediately known, however, how many of these
cases have been affirmed by the SC.

In an official statement released by the Palace Press Office yesterday, Mrs.
Arroyo vowed to wage the government's intensified campaign against illegal
drug syndicates with the same vigor as it fights terrorist groups in the
country.

"We must wage the war against illegal drugs the same way we are waging the
war against terrorism," the President said.

"Every Filipino must feel that the whole country and the world are with him
or her in this campaign of good versus evil," she pointed out.

Mrs. Arroyo noted that the Philippines is not alone in waging this war on
illegal drugs.

"Our strategy should be non-partisan, it should involve all levels and
sectors of society, it should stretch down from the national to the local
levels of governance, and it should involve domestic and transnational
cooperation," she said. -- With Aurea Calica