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Tuesday, 30 January, 2001, 13:59 GMT
Arroyo pledges to 'crush' enemies
![]() Arroyo offered a hand of reconciliation, but talked tough
Newly inaugurated Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has delivered a blunt warning that she will stamp out any attempt to destabilise her government.
She also said, in the same broadcast, that she had withdrawn the controversial appointment of her national security advisor, General Lisandro Abadia.
But she warned: "Should you, however, persist in your evil designs, you can try but you will fail. You cannot win against the people." "I am warning you, think it over," she said.
On Monday, Estrada supporters petitioned the Supreme Court to clarify the legality of his replacement - a move which could lead to a legal challenge to Mrs Arroyo's authority. Corruption allegations Mrs Arroyo has heeded criticism over the appointment of two cabinet nominees accused of corruption - General Abadia and Leandro Mendoza, her preferred national police chief.
She also ordered a government investigation into Mr Mendoza, who has been accused of having links with illegal gambling and kidnapping syndicates. The controversy over the two cabinet nominees has marred Mrs Arroyo's first week in office. Her defence minister, Orlando Mercado, had already submitted his resignation over General Abadia's appointment. The affair has threatened to sidetrack the government from more pressing issues, including the budget deficit, predicted to soar to $4bn this year. Simple lifestyle General Abadia's appointment was attacked over allegations that he misused military pension funds.
Mrs Arroyo had pledged to take a strong stand on corruption. At the swearing-in of half her cabinet last Friday, she ordered members to adopt a simple lifestyle following the downfall of her predecessor in a massive corruption scandal. She also ordered members to sign a code of conduct that included showing "respect for others", living simply and focusing on the poor.
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