MACAPAGAL BENT ON SHEDDING MRS. NICE GUY IMAGE

New Get-Tough Approach

NO MORE Mrs. Nice Guy.

With yet another presentation of criminal suspects in Malacanang, President
Macapagal-Arroyo showed on Sunday she was undeterred by opposition criticism
about the change in her public image from schoolteacher to crime-buster.

The President had earlier noted that because she gets prominent coverage in
the newspapers and on television, even if it's only for dancing a folk
dance, she might as well use the coverage to showcase her government's war
on crime.

The new get-tough and high-profile approach is part of a campaign to project
the country as a safe place in which to do business.

Human rights groups have expressed concern that the approach would result in
more abuses, but political analysts say an anti-crime crusade will almost
certainly boost her popularity.

In her State of the Nation Address on July 22, Ms Macapagal said she was
putting both the police and the military on a "war footing" against crime,
terrorism and drugs.

"I am determined to build a strong republic by breaking the back of
terrorism and criminality," she said.

"We cannot afford not to win. Even a stalemate will mean defeat. For what is
at stake is our country as a viable proposition in the world economy," she
said.

Opposition senators say the President's presence in presentations of
criminal suspects is a mere publicity stunt. But on Sunday, an opposition
congressman came to her defense.

"Better to have a president who is active against crime than one who is
ambivalent about it," Rep. Abraham Mitra said in a press statement.

Mitra said the President's presence during the presentation of captured
criminals or during major drug busts shows that "she's breathing down the
neck of the Philippine National Police."

"That sight comforts the public, who are reassured that their leader is
really committed in bringing down crime," he said.

Public anger over kidnappings and terrorism has risen following a series of
brutal abductions and murders by the Abu Sayyaf.

"It's a feeling of wanting to strike back. People are sick of hiding," said
Fernando Pesa, director of ZEV Inc., a firm that provides training in
security and counter-terrorism techniques.

He said the President's new thrust "is long overdue," adding that many
corporations and individuals were seeking training from his firm on how to
fight off kidnappers and robbers.

Surveys of businessmen have found that the peace and order issue ranks as
their biggest concern. Law-enforcement agencies are given low marks.

Guillermo Luz, executive director of the influential Makati Business Club,
said: "In the last year and a half, the crime situation has not improved and
you can argue it is a little worse."

Luz said businessmen were "delighted" about Ms Macapagal's new campaign
although it was too early to gauge its effects.

Ms Macapagal originally focused on spurring economic growth but "there was a
realization (that), no matter how much you fix the economy, if you don't fix
other areas of the environment, like law and order . . . you won't have a
good economy," says Luz.

Felipe Miranda, a political science professor at the University of the
Philippines, said fighting crime was a quick way for the administration to
impress the public.

"This is an area where you can score quickly relative to trying to score on
economic matters," where the benefits of reforms will not immediately be
felt, Miranda said.

"If you are a president who must try to get across the public that you are
able to do something, then peace and order sounds like something good to
focus on," he said.

Critics, however, said that the President was transforming Malacanang into a
police precinct by having criminals presented to her at the Palace, where
she also receives local and foreign dignitaries.