The Philippines "I Know You Still Love Me"

By J.D. Reed

< When she looked out from the lectern at 15,000 supporters chanting "Cory! Cory!" in Legaspi, 215 miles southeast of Manila, President Corazon Aquino was clearly moved. "I know you still love me," she said. Indeed they did. Swept into office eleven months ago on a tidal wave of popularity, the former housewife depended on that support to overcome a possible coup last November. But now she may be wondering just how that love will be expressed in the weeks ahead as she deals with a pair of pressing problems.

When Filipinos go to the polls on Feb. 2 to vote on a proposed new constitution, the ballot will in effect be a referendum on Aquino. She is putting her immense personal prestige on the line by canvassing the country on behalf of a document that has galvanized her opponents. Meanwhile, negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the Communist insurgency, are stalemated.

The current round of talks got off to an encouraging start last month. A 60- day truce that began Dec. 10 between army troops and Communist rebels brought the country's first peaceful Christmas in 18 years. Since then, however, the sides have been unable to agree on an agenda. At a session last Tuesday, Manila officials offered to discuss "food, freedom, jobs and justice." The Communists responded with a ten-point list that included penalties for the military's human rights abuses. The session broke off in confusion, but negotiators agreed to reconvene this week.

After meeting with Communist leaders last weekend, Representative Stephen Solarz, a New York Democrat and chairman of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, told reporters that there was only a "very slim chance" for peace. Though Aquino maintains that she will use force only as a last resort, Communist Negotiator Antonio Zumel said the New People's Army "shall remain ready to pull the trigger."

Aquino may have more success with the constitution. The 118-page charter, written by an Aquino-appointed committee, calls for a referendum on renewing the leases of U.S. military bases, a cutback in presidential powers and the establishment of a two-chamber congress. Aquino says the document is "worthy of the great collective act that made it possible: the rising of the Filipino people to vindicate their voice."

The President's opponents are using the ballot to muster support against the regime. Communists oppose the proposed constitution because it does not, they say, redress social injustices. Juan Ponce Enrile, who was fired as Defense Minister last November after allegedly orchestrating a coup attempt and is widely thought to want the presidency, opposes ratification because, he says, Aquino's abolition of Marcos' constitution undermined the legitimacy of her own rule. He calls Aquino the "new dictator."

Despite Aquino's continuing popularity, her staff is no longer predicting a landslide victory. Her press secretary, Teodoro Benigno, says a simple majority of 60% would be "comfortable." The President is making time-honored political moves to help ensure victory. Last week she approved a sweeping program aimed at reducing poverty, unemployment and social injustice through land reform. "Critics are grossly mistaken if they think that Cory is politically naive," says a top government official. "Enrile should know that by now."

With reporting by Nelly Sindayen/Manila