IT is not correct to say that President Arroyos resignation from her office against her volition as a result of threat or any form of nonphysical coercion, such as the perceived clamor of the opposition or other third parties for her to resign, is within the purview of the Constitution as asserted

by some opposition solons. What is constitutional or a legal way to oust her from the presidency is to impeach her or make her lose in a presidential election, if there be another one now or later. On the contrary, it is against the Constitution if she resigns during her incumbency even of his free will. The electorate voted her President for six years, a duty imposed on her. The majority who voted for her would not have done so if they knew that she would just resign without finishing her term.

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The Supreme Court may have committed a judicial error by suspending implementation of the expanded value-added tax. I agree with the dissent of Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and Senior Associate Justice Reynato Puno by voting against the Temporary Restraining Order against all those of their colleagues who voted for it. The dissent of Davide and Puno was based on a very solid legal ground that can be supported by the Constitution. As those dissenters said, "maintaining that the collection of taxes cannot be enjoined being the lifeblood of the nation." The matter regarding taxes lies within the legislative jurisdiction. The SC may not encroach on that branch unless it involves a constitutional issue. Amendment is the remedy there, but not TRO.

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Gloria may have no reason to doubt that VP Noli de Castro is wishing that she resign from the presidency. But the public perception is otherwise. What makes many people think so is his unending announcements that he is ready to take over Glorias place. There is no need of his repeating to convince the public that he has the capability to be president. The fact that he was voted and proclaimed Vice President, the presumption is he can take over Glorias post when she leaves it. Among the statements he made that made the public doubt his loyalty to Gloria and the administration were those when he joined the opposition in demanding that the controversial discs be played to ferret the truth so the people may know. He should have just talked about his accomplishments.

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With the Metro Manilas Muslim communities having pledged their support for President Arroyo and urged all fellow Muslims all over the nation not to join the opposition in pressuring for Glorias resignation, those who want Gloria ousted by all means should consider how we can put our country in permanent peace particularly in Mindanao. These Muslims, members of the Filipino Muslim Democratic Alliance, an umbrella organization of Muslim organizations and communities, take their stance that all Filipinos should not be disunited on the issue of suspected electoral rigging brought about by the controversial Gloria-Garci discs, but to respect the results of that election. They said Allah put her in her position. Surely, God knows what to do. So let it be.