ST. BERNARD, Southern Leyte - The lifting of Presidential Proclamation 1017 was met with a unison reaction from different government officials saying this would help “reduce” the prevailing political tensions in the country.

Senator Richard Gordon, who was here during last Friday’s memorial service for the victims of the massive landslide that hit this farming-village, said that while President Macapagal-Arroyo did not explain the “details” of her decision to place the entire country under a state of national emergency, he still welcome the lifting of the said presidential proclamation.

“I am elated that the state of national emergency has been lifted although the basis for such declaration has yet to be explained. Hopefully, this will help ease political tensions and I hope everybody will response in a very positive way so we can find ways and means to find unity here in the country,” Gordon told Leyte Samar Daily Express.

Presidential Adviser Victor “Vic” Domingo said that such decision by the President was laudable as this would also erase impression by the international community that she is not in total control of the country’s volatile situation.

“I am happy that finally the declaration of national state of emergency was lifted by the President because it gave wrong impressions, especially among international communities, about the real state of the nation,” Domingo told Express.

The presidential alter ego also said that with the lifting of the much-opposed Presidential Proclamation 1017 would also pave the way for the country’s continued march for economic stability.

The beleaguered President placed the entire country last Feb. 24 to quell what she claimed destabilization moves by combined “right and left forces” which aim to bring down her administration.

This move by the President was met with strong resistance from different sectors accusing her of planning to declare martial law.

But Leyte Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla expressed his belief that the allegation that the President has martial law as her agenda, believed otherwise.

“I don’t think the President has the intention to abuse that power or declare a martial rule but basically it is the fastest way to diffuse the delicate situation. It served the purpose,” Petilla told Express.

“It is now time to rebuild whatever damages that has been done,” the Leyte governor added. He was one among several personalities and groups which received commendation from Southern Leyte Gov. Rosette Lerias for extending assistance among victims of the landslide incident on this village.

For his part, Major General Bonifacio Ramos, commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Division, who expressed his surprise on the sudden lifting of the Proclamation 1017 by their commander-in-chief, said that they would follow any order emanating from her.

“We are taking orders from the President. So if it was lifted, then so be it. We will always comply with whatever guidance from higher authorities,” Ramos told Express.

As he said this, the region’s top Army officer said that the people has nothing to fear with the government, with our without Proclamation 1017.

“If they do not commit any violation, then, they have nothing to be afraid of,” Ramos said.