Philippine Revolt’s Leader to Take Compromise Oath

The leader of a brief revolt against President Corazon Aquino said Friday that he will take a compromise oath of allegiance but that he still believes Ferdinand E. Marcos is the Philippines’ legitimate chief executive.

Arturo Tolentino ran for vice president with Marcos in the Feb. 7 election, which was widely denounced as fraudulent and prompted a military-civilian uprising that forced Marcos into exile Feb. 26. Tolentino proclaimed himself president July 6 but gave up his revolt less than two days later.

He told a news conference that he would swear allegiance to the republic as part of a compromise under which charges of rebellion will be dropped against him and 40 people who joined him in the revolt.

Reason for Refusal

Tolentino, 76, said he refused an oath of allegiance to Aquino’s interim constitution because it has not been ratified by the people. The government is having a new document written, and a referendum is expected next year.

“Such an oath would make me commit mental dishonesty and perjury and violate my conscience,” Tolentino declared.

He said Justice Minister Neptali Gonzales, who announced the compromise Thursday, “showed reasonable understanding” of the Marcos loyalists’ position by agreeing to have them pledge allegiance to the republic instead of the interim constitution.

Acknowledges Government

The oath he and other Marcos supporters are scheduled to take, on a date still unspecified, will include “acknowledgement of the existence of the present government” and a pledge not to use force or violence against it.

“I am still part of the Marcos government. We were both elected, but of course we are dormant” and the Aquino administration “is in existence and active. That is the difference,” Tolentino said.

The National Assembly, controlled by the former president’s party, proclaimed Marcos and Tolentino winners of the Feb. 7 election.

In launching his revolt at a luxury hotel, Tolentino proclaimed himself acting president in the absence of Marcos, who had governed the Philippines for 20 years.

Will Attend Rallies

Tolentino said Friday that he will attend future rallies of Marcos loyalists for which police permits are issued.

Aquino banned such rallies July 28, a day after Marcos supporters beat a man to death at a downtown Manila park. The victim was wearing a yellow shirt, Aquino’s trademark color.

In a speech Friday at ceremonies marking the 85th anniversary of the Philippine national police, she asked members of the armed forces to strive for popular support.

She said her predecessor had not bothered with it and “that was Marcos’ big mistake. He equated power with force . . . and so, the old dictator must still be baffled why he is in Hawaii and I am here.”