Plotters planned to set up Lacson-led transition gov't

Plotters of the botched February coup had planned to issue a series of proclamations that would have declared vacant key government positions, abolished Congress, and established a transition government headed by Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, according to documents handed to GMA News. GMA-7’s evening newscast “24 Oras" reported that based on the documents, the plotters would have issued three proclamations if they had succeeded in toppling the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In a text message sent to GMA News, Lacson denied any participation in or knowledge of the coup attempt. GMA News also reported Monday that the plotters had supposedly prepared the "diamond statement", in case they had succeded in their plans. The first proclamation would have placed the country under a state of national emergency. Also, the positions of President, Vice-President, justices of the Supreme Court and the Sandiganbayan, and those in the Commission on Elections would be declared vacant; the Senate and the House of Representatives would be abolished. It was also reported earlier that a constitutional convention would be created to amend the Charter. The second proclamation would have called for the implementation of a program of “national renewal and development" that would guide the new government. The third proclamation would have created a civilian-led transition government headed by Lacson, who placed third in the 2004 presidential elections. The plotters supposedly would have preferred the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., who placed second in the official tally of the presidential polls but whom critics of Mrs. Arroyo believe had really won. Poe passed away in December 2004, only several months after the elections. Meanwhile, the military leadership confirmed that they have a copy of the diamond statement reportedly prepared by renegade soldiers and police. “Based on the analysis of captured paraphernalia and documents, it appears that there is such (a victory statement)," outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Generoso Senga said. Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr, who will take over as AFP chief on Friday, called the diamond statement “very strong evidence against the plotters." -GMANews.TV