PHILIPPINES: IMELDA MARCOS WARNS GOVERNMENT

Описание: (13 May 1995) English/Nat

Former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos has warned the government that it would be 'courting disaster' if it does not listen to the mandate of the people.

Imelda Marcos says she's won the congressional race for the district of Tolosa in her home province of Leyte.

But a disqualification move against her has prompted the Elections Commission to delay her proclamation until the Supreme Court has ruled on her case.

A handful of supporters holding pro-Marcos posters waited outside the National Press Club building in Manila, today (Saturday).

They were awaiting the arrival of their former first lady, Imelda Marcos.

She took her time to greet the crowds before going in to the building to face the press.

The widow of ousted Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos said she had won the congressional race for the district of Tolosa, adding that 90 per cent of the vote was in her favour.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
'I think the people have spoken and this should be now moot and academic.'
SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos

The Election Commission has ruled that she can't be proclaimed until the Supreme Court has decided on the disqualification move filed against her candidacy. A move which Imelda Marcos sees as dangerous.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Please let us respect the mandate and the will of the people because when you have deprived them of basic services, if you have deprived them of everything and all they have is the right to vote, and to voice their decision and their judgement and you thwart this, we are courting disaster".
SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos

She added that the people had spoken.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
'We have been mandated by the people, I'm at peace with that and that is the ultimate judge, the ultimate court, as far as I'm concerned everything is moot and academic. The people have spoken.'
SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos

And she held up her certificate of residence to prove that she'd lived in Leyte since 1992.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"In the same constituency, I have a residence certificate from Tacloban city which is in the same district, as of 11...November 5, 1992. I am more than qualified if it is just in terms of residence and official residence".
SUPER CAPTION: Imelda Marcos

The Election Commission rules that a candidate must have lived in the constituency they are running for, for a minimum of one year. Those blocking her said she'd only resided in Leyte for seven months.

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