More insights on the lifting of Presidential Proclamation 1017 based on this writer’s interviews.

DAGUPAN CITY—Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said the bomb explosion
in Metro Manila Friday was a Marcosian tactic to impose Martial Law.

He said this is very possible as the bombing could have been done
deliberately.

“One thing is so easy for people now to do: That is to accuse the
administration of anything and everything,” Cruz told this writer in a phone
interview.

He said this is bad because it means the administration has lost its
credibility.

The last thing that one would repose on the administration is his or
her trust and confidence, Cruz said.

She said that since President Gloria Arroyo has already made thrice
the declaration of emergency, it’s no longer surprising if she will make her
fourth.

“She’s used to it,” the prelate said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Gonzalo Duque, president of Lyceum Northwestern
University in Dagupan City said Mrs. Arroyo has already contained the
problem in last week’s foiled attempt to oust her.

Duque, former Pangasinan vice governor, said he hopes President
Arroyo will finally push forward her development programs after lifting
Proclamation 1017.

“I am surprised that despite the noise in last week’s exciting and
amusing event, the economy was still doing well,” Duque said.

“Looking back, it was really necessary to do so,” he said, adding
that the President had to respond to the crisis after the Republic and its
Constitution were threatened by adventurists.

“At the time of the crisis, you need to do measures that are strong
and powerful, not the weak ones,” he said.

He added that the people can learn a lot of lessons from it.

Duque said 1017 has already achieved its purpose and there is no
more need really to continue with the imposition of an emergency rule.