Bacani scores Palace over emergency rule order

A Catholic bishop on Friday chided Malacañang for putting the country under a state of national emergency and allowing warrantless arrests to disperse protests. Bishop Teodoro Bacani said he is saddened with the current situation of the country as it commemorates the 20th anniversary of the first People Power revolt, known around the world as the "bloodless revolution." "Under all circumstances, even under national emergency, human rights should never be violated," he said. Pope John Paul II, Bacani said, imparted these teachings when the former visited the country. Bacani said he is sure that the Catholic bishops will oppose the warrantless arrest of protesters. He said he is on his own when he joined the rally in Makati. “This is my own personal way of remembering Edsa 1, and to say to the president ‘tama na, sobra, magbago ka na’." Among those present in the Makati rally were Senators Panfilo Lacson, Aquilino Pimentel; congressmen Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan), Alan Peter Cayetano (Taguig-Pateros) and Gilbert Remulla (Cavite); Manila Business Club chairman Bill Luz; and former senator Francisco Tatad. Kris Aquino and her fianceé James Yap also attended the rally. Aquino said she is there to support her mother, former president Corazon Aquino. She refused to give any comments on the country’s situation. “Nandito ako bilang anak ni Cory and Ninoy Aquino." The attendees prayed the rosary while waiting for the other protesters before marching to Gil Puyat Avenue.-GMANews.TV