Arroyo ally: WikiLeaks documents are ‘hearsays’

“CONFIDENTIAL” documents leaked in whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks are mere “hearsays although under diplomatic cover,” an ally of Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said, since the former President’s husband was implicated in jueteng activities during the Arroyo administration.

Maguindanao Representative Simeon Datumanong, a member of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, issued the statement after WikiLeaks released a diplomatic cable by then United States Embassy Economic Counselor Robert Ludan stating that Arroyo was “aware of her husband's misdeeds, but she is unwilling to do anything to curb his activities.”

Businessmen who informed Ludan of former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo’s involvement in the illegal numbers game were SGV founder Washington SyCip, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Francis Chua, and former Makati Business Club Executive Director Guillermo “Bill” Luz.

According to Sycip, Arroyo’s behavior “is damaging the credibility of the government and hinders President Arroyo's ability to implement anti-corruption measures.”

Another Arroyo ally, Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay, said that if there is concrete proof to back-up the documents released by WikiLeaks, then proper cases should be filed in court.

Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) party-list Representative Sherwin Tugna believes that the resolution of criminal cases filed against the former First Gentleman will determine if he was indeed involved in illegal activities during his wife’s nine-year administration.

“I believe that the truth or falsity of the Wikileak reports alleging that FG was involved in illegal activities will be determined by the result of the criminal cases filed against him. The good thing is that criminal cases have been filed,” he said in a text message.

Last week, a division of the Philippine National Police (PNP) filed plunder charges against Arroyo for his involvement in the sale of second-hand helicopters to the police force.

Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares and Akbayan Representative Walden Bello said an investigation should be conducted by the House Committees on Justice and Good Government on the diplomatic cable released.

The businessmen who made the allegations against the former First Couple should be summoned to the hearings, they said.

“Dapat ding imonitor pa ang iba pang ihahayag ng WikiLeaks. It is impossible for President Arroyo not to be aware of complaints regarding her husband’s intervention in many contracts and deals,” Colmenares added. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)