FINAL REPORT - Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

During the standoff, Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor calls for a
news blackout. 57 (emphasis supplied)
February 27, 2006 – Makati RTC Judge Cesar Santamaria issued the warrants of
arrest for former Army Colonel Honasan and 5 others for coup d’etat charges in
connection witih the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Mutiny
-- Rep. Joel Virador was arrested in Davao
February 28, 2006 – US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill met with
President Arroyo 58
March 2, 2006 –
-- Drilon was ousted as Liberal Party President at the Manila Hotel, after which
session President Arroyo showed up and congratulated Manila Mayor
Lito Atienza, who was elected Liberal Party President, and Mike Defensor,
who was elected chairman
-- in an ambush interview by Marie Peña Ruiz of Radyo ng Bayan, Justice
Secretary Raul Gonzalez admitted that –
the root of the present crisis is the Garci Tapes, which cast doubt
on the legitimacy of the President; therefore, the challenge is
for all tapes to be submitted, and for all groups who submitted to
agree that the tapes be submitted for study by experts whether in
US, Australia, Japan, Russia, etc. and be bound by the results;
and that Garcillano’s word/testimony on the matter will be
useless because his credibility is shot.
-- UP conducted a black-band demonstration-cum-noise barrage
-- PNP Chief denies take-over of Tribune, “appeals” for self-censorship
March 3, 2006 – Presidential Proclamation 1017 is lifted
-- big coalition of lawyers (Concernd Lawyers for Civil Liberties) hold march
from the IBP national office to the Edsa Shrine
-- DOJ filed rebellion charges against Anak-Pawis Party-list Representative
Crispin Beltran and Army 1 st Lieutenant, Lawrence San Juan (for San
Juan, re the July 27, 2003 coup d’etat)
-- March 16, 2006 – Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said he had ordered the
poll body's law department to investigate the alleged fabrication and
57
ibid.
58
“Senior US diplomat sees GMA, also meets FVR, Cory,” Volt Contreras, PDI Frontpage, March 3, 2006, pp. A1 &
A6
138